‘Anora’ Director Sean Baker Joins IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking Summit for Keynote Chat
It’s IndieWire’s honor to announce that Sean Baker will be joining us in a keynote chat for our Future of Filmmaking Summit, happening in Los Angeles on November 2.
Baker, who won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in May for his latest film “Anora” — a major player this awards season — will share his advice to summit attendees and his thoughts about where the industry is going. For a limited time, IndieWire is offering an early-bird discount, with tickets for the all-day event being just $125.
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A testament to adaptation and flexibility while never losing sight of his voice, Baker’s career includes acclaimed low-budget features “Prince of Broadway,” “Starlet,” and “Tangerine.” His 2017 drama “The Florida Project” premiered at Director’s Fortnight in Cannes and received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for Willem Dafoe. In 2021, “Red Rocket” became his first film in the Cannes maincompetition and it revived the career of Simon Rex, who won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead.
IndieWire first interviewed Baker in 2008 for the release of his second film, “Take Out,” about an undocumented Chinese immigrant working as a delivery person in New York City. However, “Take Out” premiered at Slamdance in 2004; it was four years before it found distribution. That also illustrates why Baker is the ideal speaker for a keynote chat at our inaugural Future of Filmmaking summit: He adapts his vision to circumstance and he doesn’t give up.
When he received the Palme D’Or for “Anora” in May, Baker’s acceptance speech offered a snapshot of how he sees the future of filmmaking. “I will continue to fight for cinema because right now, as filmmakers, we have to fight to keep cinema alive,” he said. “This means making feature films intended for theatrical exhibition. The world has to be reminded that watching a film at home while scrolling through your phone and checking mail, emails and half paying attention is just not the way, although some tech companies would like us to think so. Watching a film with others in a movie theater is one of the great communal experiences. We share laughter, sorrow, anger, fear, and, hopefully, have a catharsis with our friends and strangers, and that’s sacred. So I see the future of cinema is where it started: in a movie theater.”
Attending the Summit will provide a one-of-a kind opportunity to hear Baker’s iconoclastic vision. The keynote chat will not be available on video and is for in room only.
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Bonus – every attendee will receive a 6-month trial of Canva Pro — the online visual communications and collaboration platform to design stunning, professional pitch decks, treatments, films posters and more that capture the attention of producers and executives. With premium features at your fingertips, you’ll be able to perfect your pitch and bring your next big project to life.
Here’s a list of what you can look forward to at the Future of Filmmaking Summit:
Panels will include:
Keynote Chat: Sean Baker
Award-winning Auteur, Sean Baker, will deliver our Future of Filmmaking Summit’s keynote chat. Baker, who recently took home the Palme d’Or at Cannes for his celebrated film “Anora,” a strong contender this awards season, will share his advice to summit attendees and his thoughts about the future of the industry.
Filming Outside Hollywood: Challenges, Opportunities, and Passports
Runaway production has been atomized as states and countries compete to offer producers the hottest deals. Join Paul Audley, President of FilmLA, producer and 1Community CEO Scott Budnick, Entertainment Partners’ Sarah Westman-Liu, and an IndieWire editor, as they discuss what that means for the rest of us.
How to Get Your Film Seen: New Takes on Audience, Funding, and Buyers
This one has it all: Exclusive research, real numbers, and the unexpected opportunities in theaters and at home for filmmakers who have found a world beyond the competitive festival circuit. Keri Putnam (former Sundance Institute CEO) and Brian Newman (founder of Sub-Genre) will share intel on emerging strategies and success stories, providing key insights into how filmmakers can thrive in today’s ever-changing distribution landscape.
From Indie Films to Pixar: A Career Case Study with Mike Jones
Join us as we explore the unique career of Mike Jones, tracing his early days in the indie film scene to his transition into a full-time role at Pixar. As creator of Pixar’s upcoming series “Dream Productions” and writer on some of the studio’s most acclaimed films, including “Luca” and “Soul”, hear about the Pixar process and how Jones’ background in independent film help inform his current approach as a storyteller. For anyone looking to make their mark in both independent and mainstream cinema, this panel is for you.
Pitching Your Project: Why Producers Now Expect More
Reby Silverman, Senior Manager, Global Partnerships at Canva will take the stage alongside emerging and established filmmakers to showcase how Canva’s platform is transforming the way filmmakers pitch their ideas. Learn directly from the pros and get insider tips to craft a pitch deck that stands out in today’s competitive industry!
How Filmmakers Are — and Aren’t — Using AI
Every day brings another AI announcement, but our panel will look beyond the money, the controversy, and the hype to discuss the ideas and products most likely to be meaningful for you. AI guru Dave Clark and and Erik Weaver, Director, Adaptive Production at ETC, will unpack this hot topic, exploring how AI tools are already reshaping the creative process, from scriptwriting to post-production, and what the future holds for filmmakers looking to leverage this technology in practical and innovative ways.
The Future of Film Is Interactive
A panel with the heads of KINO, Austin Worrell, Brit MacRae and Daril Fannin, who will discuss their company’s cutting-edge technology that offers filmmakers an interactive social streaming platform that provides invaluable data insights and a strategic launchpad to connect with their audience. Moderated by IndieWire’s SVP and Editor in Chief, Dana Harris-Bridson.
Award Season Stories – Disney: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Discover how Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes uses performance capture to bring complex, emotionally rich characters to life. This panel features the film’s creative team and actors, sharing insights on how cutting-edge technology and powerful performances drive the storytelling in this awards season contender.
Wes Ball
Director
Erik Winquist
Visual Effects Supervisor
Kevin Durand
Actor
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