Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced today the panelists for the seventh annual Film Independent Forum, presented by indieWIRE, to be held October 21-23 at the Directors Guild of America. The keynote speaker and additional panelists will be announced shortly, as well as the recipient of the 2011 Sloan Producers Grant, to be awarded on closing night. The Film Independent Forum is a must-attend weekend conference for emerging and established independent filmmakers that covers production, distribution, documentary, and new media. Filmmakers are given access to some of the most innovative names in independent filmmaking through thought-provoking discussions, networking sessions, case studies and presentations on works in progress.

Paramount Vantage’s Like Crazy kicks off the three-day Forum at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night, followed by a Q&A and reception with writer Ben York Jones, producers Jonathan Schwartz and Andrea Sperling, editor Jonathan Alberts and cinematographer John Guleserian. Like Crazy, from director Drake Doremus, beautifully illustrates how your first real love is as thrilling and blissful as it is devastating, and explores how a couple faces the real challenges of being together and of being apart. When a British college student (Felicity Jones) falls for her American classmate (Anton Yelchin), they embark on a passionate and life-changing journey only to be separated when she violates the terms of her visa. Like Crazy opens in limited release on October 28, 2011.

“We’re thrilled to have the creative team from the award-winning Like Crazy join us for the opening night of the Forum and share their indie filmmaking experience,” said Maria Bozzi, Director of Film Education. “We’re also excited to introduce panels on television this year, and include even more discussions about new media. Filmmakers are breaking the boundaries between different formats and it’s important to remind our attendees that storytelling through the moving image can be powerful in any medium.”

The 2011 Film Independent Forum is presented by indieWIRE, the leading news, information, and networking site for independent-minded filmmakers, the industry and moviegoers alike. Additional sponsors include Premier Sponsors Directors Guild of America and SAGIndie/Screen Actors Guild and Principal Sponsors Universal Studios and Montana Film Office.

Speakers for the 2011 Film Independent Forum include:
• Sara Bernstein, HBO Documentary Films
• Laura Bickford, producer, Duplicity, Che
• Josh Braun, Submarine
• Lisa Callif, Donaldson & Callif, LLP
• Juan Devis, KCET Public Media
• Arthur Dong, director, Hollywood Chinese
• Jennifer Dubin, producer, The Perfect Family, Good Dick
• Craig Emanuel, Loeb & Loeb
• Christian Gaines, withoutabox.com and imdb.com
• Matthew Greenfield, Fox Searchlight
• Azazel Jacobs, director, Terri
• Patty Jenkins, director, Monster, The Killing
• Gina Kwon, producer, The Future
• Greg Laemmle, Laemmle Theatres
• Lisa Leeman, director, One Lucky Elephant
• David Magdael, The Company: David Magdael and Associates
• Bob Moczydlowsky, Topspin Media
• Liz Ogilvie, CrowdStarter
• Cora Olson, producer, The Perfect Family, Good Dick
• Luis Ortiz, Latino Public Broadcasting
• Mike Ott, director, LiTTLEROCK
• Tristan Patterson, director, Dragonslayer
• Jeremy Podeswa, director, Boardwalk Empire, The Pacific
• Mark and Michael Polish, directors, Twin Falls Idaho, For Lovers Only
• Alan Poul, producer, Six Feet Under
• Paula Schmit, Film Finances
• Ondi Timoner, director, Cool It, We Live in Public
• Jocelyn Towne, director of the forthcoming I Am I
• Thuy Tran, United States Artists
• Peter Trinh, International Creative Management
• Emily Verellen, The Fledgling Fund

Topics for this year’s panels are: Movie Math: Film Financing Today; Money for Docs: Where and How To Get It; Shopping Your Project: A Financing Clinic; This Movie Has Legs: Expanding the Life of Your Doc; Way & Means: Production Case Studies; Find New Docs: Works in Progress from Film Independent Fellows; Let the Crowd In: Crowdfunding Case Studies; The Law of the Doc: Recent Legal Battles; Fest Up: The Film Festival and You; Anatomy of a Release: Distribution Case Studies; DIY Route: The Theatrical Roadshow; In-D-TV: Storytelling Inside of the Box; New Media: Collective Storytelling Through the Web; Reach Your Audience: A Marketing Clinic; and Breaking In: What’s Next.

IndieLink Tables are another integral experience for attendees and sponsors at the Film Independent Forum. Hosting an IndieLink Table offers companies the opportunity to meet one-on-one with attendees for brief sessions. Current companies participating include: Canon U.S.A., Inc., Killer Tracks, konsonant/, music for film, Mississippi Film Office, Montana Film Office, NAB Show, SAGIndie/Screen Actors Guild, Universal Studios and more. To host an IndieLink Table, please contact Sophia Alexander at 310.432.1254, SAlexander@FilmIndependent.org.

All those who wish to attend this year’s Forum can save up to $100 by purchasing a pass before September 30. Regular conference passes are $259 for Film Independent members and $299 for non-members. For more information about this year’s Film Independent Forum or to purchase a pass, visit FilmIndependent.org or call 310.432.1222.