Filmmaker moved from prison, French President criticizes arrest.
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Dear Readers, Four months ago, when I came to Los Angeles to assume the position as executive director at the International Documentary Association, I was thrilled to be joining an organization with a long history as a leader in the documentary field. Now, I'm even more excited about the role the organization can play today and in the years ahead, as IDA helps documentary filmmakers cope with uncertain times by making it easier for them get the funding they need, get to the places they need to go and get their movies on the screen. The current recession will make funding a documentary harder
Spirit Awards move date and location, 'This Is It ' sells out, more.
Filmmaker trying finish in time to get into Berlin film festival in February.
More than 500 filmmakers and broadcasters from around the world--a bumper turnout under the current economic circumstances--convened September 28 to October 2 amid blazing autumn leaves, blinding snowstorms and smoldering forest fires to celebrate the tenth biennial Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. A record 500+ films were entered in the awards competition--a sign, to many, that the natural history genre not only remains alive and well but (perhaps thanks to growing global environmental concerns) is poised for a vigorous comeback. Prominent among the entrants in the film competition were a
Amid widespread pronouncements that indie film is dead, Film Independent held its annual 2009 Filmmaker Forum October 9 to 11 at the Directors Guild of America headquaters in Los Angeles. Despite the fact that the majority of the studios have jettisoned their independent divisions, the crowd at the Forum was generally upbeat. Filmmakers mingled with executives during cocktail receptions and tasty lunches, and had their choice of approximately 15 panels throughout the weekend aimed at "empowering participants with the tools to create a strategy for their films and their careers." I missed
Learn how to tune-up your doc, the art of financing and more with doc classes.
While Barack Obama's historic trek from the Illinois State Senate to the US Presidency was reported by hundreds of journalists covering the campaign trail, a new documentary, By the People: The Election of Barack Obama, which premieres November 3 on HBO, provides an insider's version of events. Filmmakers Amy Rice and Alicia Sams, who produced and directed the film, had a front-row seat to Obama's amazing rise from underdog to frontrunner to victor and made the most of their incredible access to capture many never-before-seen private and personal moments with his family, campaign staff
In an era when everyone is trying to make sense of the new independent film landscape, the 31st edition of the Independent Feature Project (IFP)'s Independent Film Week (IFW), which ran September 19 to 24, in New York City, shined a light on the processes, pitfalls, partnerships and promising results for the filmmaker ready and able to master multiple disciplines. One could argue this year's event actually kicked off on September 18, with Eugene Hernandez' comprehensive historical overview of IFP in indieWire, highlighting the organization's place in the independent film pantheon. It was the
According to the buzz at the bagel bar, the first-ever WestDoc Conference exceeded everyone's expectations, thanks to a remarkable lineup of panelists...who were often hanging out at the bagel bar. "There was a more relaxed schedule and atmosphere here than you see at other conferences," said filmmaker Chuck Braverman, who co-founded WestDoc with Richard Propper of Solid Entertainment. "The heavy hitters are out in the hall here schmoozing and networking. You don't see that at the other conferences." Braverman and Propper created WestDoc as the first forum designed specifically to serve