Editor

The Ever-Popular New Filmmakers’ Day

The VIFF’s 22nd Annual Film and Television Forum builds to an exciting climax on New Filmmakers’ Day (NFD), showcasing a truly world-class line-up of award-winning film professionals. The only event of its kind in Western Canada, NFD provides emerging filmmakers with the tools necessary to launch a great career.

Hot on the heels of launching Opening Night at the Toronto Int’l Film Festival, Jeremy Podeswa, Writer-Director, Fugitive Pieces brings his sharp eye and craftsmanship to ANATOMY OF A SCENE giving us the insider's scoop on two scenes that created unique challenges for him. Podeswa is also director of some of the most highly critically acclaimed TV series (Six Feet Under, Carnivale, Rome) and is currently prepping for Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ much anticipated series Pacific.

New Filmmakers’ Day also boasts two highly celebrated filmmakers in BLISSFUL UNION: THE CINEMATOGRAPHER AND PRODUCTION DESIGNER RELATIONSHIP. BAFTA and American Society of Cinematographer Award- Winning D.O.P. Philippe Rousselot has shot for some of the premiere directors of our time, including Robert Redford, Neil Jordan, Sydney Pollack and Stephen Frears. Here, he discusses the artistry and interplay between cinematography and production design with Alex McDowell, Production Designer on Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report, David Fincher’s Fight Club, and Tim Burton’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
Action-packed from beginning to end, this year’s New Filmmakers’ Day ventures into the forefront of indie filmmaking, exploring people-powered financing and distribution with FAST FORWARD: FILMMAKERS SEIZE CONTROL. From generating a viral buzz to financing an entire feature film through social networking sites, more and more films are being financed outside studios and mini-majors. Leading the way is seminal digital pioneer Lance Weiler, who Wired Magazine called “One of twenty-five people helping to re-invent entertainment and change the face of Hollywood.” Featured in Time, Forbes, Entertainment Tonight and CNN, his first feature The Last Broadcast is currently in distribution in over 20 countries, and was the first all-digital motion picture released in theatres nationwide, grossing over $4 million to date. With his newly released alternate reality game Head Trauma already reshaping current paradigms of filmed entertainment, this seminar is a must for emerging filmmakers seeking strategies for seizing the day in Hollywood and beyond.
Also featured is Arin Crumley, Director, Four Eyed Monsters. The film has become a cult phenomenon having played in 20 film festivals, nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards, screened theatrically in major cities across the nation, and garnered critical acclaim across the board - all the while, managed and distributed by its own creators.
The 22nd Annual Film and Television Forum takes place in the Rogers Industry Centre at the Vancouver International Film Centre and Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street, September 26-28 with New Filmmakers’ Day on September 29th. For more information, please phone: (604) 685-3547, Fax (604) 688-8221, email: forum@viff.org