One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Scoring at the Filmmaker Forum
Photo by sfxeric via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
By Douglas McBride/Special to LAistIf you’re an aspiring filmmaker, and you’ve got the money, get yourself down to the DGA on Sunset, for Film Independent’s FILMMAKER FORUM. Admission for Sunday is costly ($180 for members, $200 for non-members), but rewarding and interesting to say the least.
At lunch, each table offers a special guest as a host. On Saturday, I joined five other lucky diners to be welcomed by documentary film director Sacha Gervasi. Gervasi shared some hilarious stories about his new film Anvil! The Story of Anvil [LAist Review], and rifled through his bag of goodies to offer us all some cheap shwag treats. “Who ever needs any of this shit?” joked Gervasi, about the contents of his shwag bag. I did score a pretty rad notebook out of the deal, but the real score was getting the chance to interact with some of the rising stars of the independent film world, in a relaxed and inclusive setting.
There are fascinating panel discussions on offer throughout the day, catering to narrative, as well as documentary filmmakers, and the food isn’t bad either. Sunday’s schedule started at 9:00 a.m. and closes with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., where you can enjoy a drink or two, and hobnob with some of the many panelists and players in the world of independent film.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
