‘Will & Harper’ Announced as Opening Night Screening of 2024 Film Independent Forum

To celebrate its Netflix streaming debut on Friday, September 27, road trip documentary “Will & Harper” will screen at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles and cap off the first day of the 2024 Film Independent Forum.

Organized by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts group responsible for the Independent Spirit Awards, this annual forum will take place over two days (September 27 through 28) and feature topical discussions with over 40 filmmakers from around the world. This event also provides a space for attendees to network with independent filmmakers and content creators from various backgrounds.

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“This year’s Forum will explore our evolving industry through a wider perspective, where the definitions of fiction and nonfiction, big screen and small screen, and domestic and international are being redefined,” Maria Raquel Bozzi, Film Independent’s Senior Director of Education and International Initiatives, said. “We are thrilled to see such a large number of our international filmmakers converge and mingle with the many local filmmakers we have served through the life of the Forum, bringing to fruition our vision for a true global filmmaking community.”

The opening night screening of “Will & Harper” will also feature a Q&A with producer/director Josh Greenbaum.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of “The Babadook,” the beloved horror film will screen as the Forum’s closing night presentation, featuring a Q&A with director Jennifer Kent.

Additional programming features include The New Wave actors roundtable, with Tati Gabrielle (“You,” “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat”), James Ian (“The Allnighter,” “Pugsley”), Mayan Lopez (“Lopez vs. Lopez,” “Handsome: A Netflix Mystery Movie”), Richa Moorjani (“Fargo,” “Never Have I Ever”), and Lisa Yamada (“Little Fires Everywhere,” Cruel Summer”) participating. Moderated by SAGindie Executive Director Darrien Michele Gipson, this roundtable will revolve around breaking boundaries and creating more authentic and inclusive onscreen representation. It will be followed by a happy hour reception with all participants.

Hiro Murai will also be doing the Forum Keynote.

Other conversations and panels during the Forum will focus on financing, pitching, creative producing, and much more. One-on-ones with executives and industry experts will take place on both days as part of the organization’s Industry Connect program as well. As part of a partnership between Film Independent and Plot Shift Media, The Climate Entertainment Initiative will also commence on the second day of this gathering with a panel called “Shifting the Narrative on Climate.” This initiative will provide grants and educational opportunities for independent storytellers to create art that imagines a climate future more just and equitable than our present situation.

In addition to the Forum, Film Independent will also coordinate mentorships for nine Fellows from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe who are part of their Global Media Makers (GMM) Residency. Members of this residency will later participate in the second annual GMM Summit, where 25 Fellows from 16 countries will unite to expand collaboration between nations and create new relationships with fellow filmmakers. Though organized by Film Independent, GMM is a cultural diplomacy initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Forum passes are on sale now: $149 for Film Independent Members, $189 for non-Members and free for Arts Circle Members. Arts Circle Members, Filmmaker Pro and Secret Members also receive priority registration for Industry Connect sessions. For more information about this year’s Film Independent Forum, to purchase a pass and/or become a Member, please visit filmindependent.org/forum.

Netflix will release “Will & Harper” in select theaters on September 13, followed by a streaming premiere on September 27.

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