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In recent years, the film and TV business has been living under an ever-mutating version of the apocryphal Chinese curse “May you live in interesting times,” and the American Film Market — which runs from Nov. 5-10 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas — has not been immune. But not all the effects have been negative.

During the peak years of the streaming business, when Netflix, Amazon, Apple and most of the major legacy studios were trying to build out exclusive content catalogs for their VOD platforms, the hottest titles often sold their global rights long before they reached AFM. In other instances, studios would insist that their domestic VOD release come first, undermining the value of international theatrical sales. The first was a net good for people making the projects. Neither was good for smaller buyers or AFM.

“The relevance of the market was reduced when sales agents and...

Last month we held our annual Film Independent Forum at the DGA complex here in LA. Not only was there great networking opportunities like Industry Connect, screenings like Will & Harper and a 10th anniversary showing of The Babadook, but there were great panels where industry insiders shared their thoughts on the present and future of the art and business of independent filmmaking.

Today we’d like to share with you just some of these conversations. The topics range from the state of indie financing, to adapting stories for our climate impacted future, to taking meetings in your local laundromat. This year also had a special global emphasis, which is especially timely in an era where the next Oscar winner or streaming hit could come from anywhere and be made anywhere.

So many talented people shared their experiences navigating making movies, selling movies and sharing movies across the globe. Take...

Yes, the Film Independent Forum is back, happily in person again, and with a new global twist. With so much going over the two days, we wanted to highlight some of the panels and events we missed in our last post on the Forum.

Of course, there will still be the great screenings, networking and workshops that the Forum is known for. September 27 & 28, in person at the DGA in Los Angeles. Tickets are still available.

Keynote By Hiro Murai Moderated By Daniel Kwan

What: In case you missed it, our keynote speaker this year is Hiro Murai. With a very distinct voice and visual style, Hiro Murai has established himself as one of the most innovative artists working today. In particular, Murai’s ten-year artistic collaboration with Childish Gambino produced one of the most acclaimed shows of the century, Atlanta; garnered him a Grammy Award for the music video for...

In the first episode of When They See Us, Ava DuVernay’s bleak drama about the Central Park Five, Linda Fairstein, then head of the sex crimes unit investigating the case, gives an order to dispatch an army of officers to Harlem. “Every young Black male who was in the park last night is a suspect in the rape of that woman who is fighting for her life right now,” says her character, played by Felicity Huffman. “You go into those projects, and you stop every little thug you see.”

Is that DuVernay leveraging broad artistic liberties under the First Amendment to make Fairstein the central villain in the miniseries, even though the ex-prosecutor might not have given that command? Or is it defamation?

In the acclaimed show, Fairstein is portrayed as the face of a crooked criminal justice system hell-bent on securing convictions against five Black and Latino teenagers...

The winners of the 50th Student Academy Awards competition have been announced by the The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The Academy voted 14 students out of 2,443 entries to win awards across four categories. They will be honored at an in-person award ceremony on Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Leo Behrens of the American Film Institute won the award for alternative/experimental film for “Skin.”

Gabriel Augerai, Romain Augier and Yannick Jacquin of École des Nouvelles Images in France won an animation award for “Boom.” Other animation winners include César Luton, Achille Pasquier and Clémence Bailly of MoPA 3D Animation School in France for their film “Diplomatie de l’Éclipse.” Lisa Kenney of the National Film and Television School in the UK also won in the animation category for “Mum’s Spaghetti.”

In the documentary category, Lyuwei Chen of New York University won for “Duet.

Exclusive: Screen Media has announced its acquisition of all North American rights to Helen’s Dead, a mystery comedy starring Dylan Gelula (Dream Scenario), Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild), Tyrese Gibson (Fast X), Annabelle Dexter-Jones (Succession), and Oliver Cooper (Red Oaks). Set to hit theaters in at least the top 10 markets, the film will open day-and-date on November 3.

The flick directed by K. Asher Levin follows the story of Addie (Gelula), who, after a terrible breakup with her boyfriend, goes to confront her best friend about cheating allegations and accidentally steps into a murder scene.

Amy Brown Carver penned the script based on her story written with Levin. The film is produced by Levin, Daniel Cummings, Robert Dean, Roy Scott MacFarland, and Todd Lundbohm.

“I have always dreamt of making my very own freewheelin’, one crazy night movie,” said Levin. “It’s truly a blessing to have assembled such an amazing...

In a summer of many misses, “Sound of Freedom” has become a major and unlikely box office hit, making a sequel seem a foregone conclusion. But who exactly holds the rights to tackle a new outing? Well, it’s complicated.

A representative for producer Mike Ilitch Jr. told Variety that her client signed a deal with Tim Ballard, the anti-human trafficking activist who is the subject of the breakout film, “for exclusive life rights” and that the pair recently began developing a follow-up. Ilitch Jr., the son of Mike Ilitch, billionaire owner of Little Caesars Pizza, wasn’t going to stop there. He also planned a scripted series and a docuseries about Ballard’s various missions rescuing children from sexual exploitation.

The “Sound of Freedom” franchise plan also included leveraging an unnamed Ballard nonprofit and other nongovernmental organizations “to provide targeted resources, specific calls to action and further real-life and...

Attorney Chris Perez has been promoted to name partner at the law firm of Donaldson Callif, a prominent player in documentary and independent film and TV production.

The Beverly Hills-based firm has changed its name to Donaldson Callif Perez.

“Chris has been a key member of our team and instrumental in the firm’s growth over the past twelve years,” partner Lisa Callif said. “It feels absolutely right to add his name to our firm name and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Founded in 2008, Dcp’s specialties include advising clients in all aspects of development, production, clearance and distribution matters.

Perez joined the firm in 2009 and became a partner in 2015. He focuses on representing independent filmmakers through the development, financing, production, rights clearance and distribution process. His most recent projects include such prominent features and docuseries as “Tiger King: Murder, Madness and Mayhem,” “The Vow,” “Bombshell,” “The Farewell,” “The Last Dance,...

Exclusive: Filmmaker Robert D. Krzykowski has signed with Roar. Krzykowski recently wrote, produced and directed The Man Who Killed Hitler and then The Bigfoot starring Oscar-nominated A Star is Born actor Sam Elliott.

Marking his feature film debut, Bigfoot is currently playing in select theaters and opened at #1 on several streaming charts including iTunes independent. The 1987-set film, which was a collaboration between Krzykowski, John Sayles, Douglas Trumbull and Lucky McKee, follows a legendary American war veteran who, decades after serving in World War II and assassinating Adolf Hitler, is contacted to hunt down the fabled Bigfoot—carrier of a deadly plague hidden deep in the Canadian wilderness.

In addition, Krzykowski created the cult comic Elsie Hooper. His film work includes live-action puppetry, animation, cloud tank photography, and classic effects techniques. He acted as a producer on the films The Woman and Carolina Low with frequent collaborator Sean Bridgers. The...

HBO Documentary Films has acquired Us TV rights to The Price Of Everything in the run-up to its world premiere at Sundance in U.S. Documentary Competition on Friday (January 19).

HBO Documentary Films has acquired Us TV rights to The Price Of Everything in the run-up to its world premiere at Sundance in U.S. Documentary Competition on Friday (January 19).

The company will also open Nathaniel Kahn’s (My Architect) Park City selection in theatres in a minimum of 12 Us markets prior to its HBO premiere.

The Price Of Everything explores the labyrinthine art world and the role of art and artistic passion in society. Jeff Koons, Gerhard Richter and Njideka Akunyili Crosby are among the talking heads.

“I couldn’t think of a better home for the film than HBO,” Kahn said. “I had a great experience with them on both My Architect and my short, Two Hands, and am particularly happy they will be taking...

Exclusive: Company to commence sales of ‘Psycho’ documentary at Efm next month. IFC Midnight takes Us rights.

Exclusive, Updated: The company has acquired UK distribution and international sales rights to Alexandre O Philippe’s documentary. Later in the day it emerged IFC Midnight had taken Us rights.

78/52 deconstructs Alfred Hitchcock’s notorious and ground-breaking Psycho shower scene and investigates its influence upon the landscape of film and pop culture.

The Midnight selection premiered in Park City on Monday and immediately earned acclaim as an anticipated festival and cult hit.

Dogwoof plans to introduce the film to international buyers at the Efm in Berlin next month and a UK release date is forthcoming.

The Exhibit A Pictures production’s title references the number of set-ups (78) and the number of cuts (52) in the shower scene from Psycho.

Hitchcock took an entire week out of the four-week shoot to get what he wanted from the shower scene. The film features...

One through-line in reviews of “Weiner,” Josh Kriegman and Elyse Sternberg’s documentary about Anthony Weiner’s failed 2013 bid to become Mayor of New York City, was its uncomfortable portrayal of the candidate’s relationship with his wife Huma Abedin. Speaking with Mark Leibovich of the New York Times Magazine, Weiner takes issue with his wife’s inclusion in the film, saying that the filmmakers “violated the agreement not to use her.”

Read More: Sundance Review: ‘Weiner’ is the Best Documentary About a Political Campaign Ever Made

“They didn’t have a release,” he continues. “She had to grant permission, which she didn’t.” A high-level aide to Hillary Clinton, Abedin currently serves as vice chairwoman of Clinton’s presidential campaign. Lisa Califf, who serves as both spokeswoman and counsel for the film, rejects Weiner’s claim: “As is clear in the film,” she said to Leibovich via email, “the...

Exclusive: Virgil Films has acquired U.S. digital/VOD rights to Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me, a feature-length documentary tracking the country icon and Alzheimer sufferer’s final “Goodbye Tour.” Directed by actor and filmmaker James Keach (Walk The Line), I’ll Be Me gathers a star-studded lineup of country greats and celebrities from Bruce Springsteen, The Edge, Paul McCartney, Blake Shelton, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Steve Martin, and Chad Smith to former President Bill Clinton in appreciation of Campbell, who crooned hits like “Gentle On My Mind,” “Galveston,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

The film will have a limited theatrical run in key markets nationwide late this year before hitting VOD, digital, and DVD in early 2015. Produced by Keach and Trevor Albert (Groundhog Day), the docu should find a wide audience among Campbell fans, who helped propel Campbell’s “Goodbye Tour” from an...

Update: Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (Spwa) has acquired all international rights to Space Station 76, while in separate deals Picturehouse has acquired The Guest and Starz Digital Media has taken North American rights to To Be Takei ahead of their Austin screenings.

Space Station 76 is set to premiere at SXSW on March 8 and stars Patrick Wilson and Liv Tyler in the comedic retro tale of space station inhabitants imperiled by an asteroid. Jack Plotnick directed.

Edward Parks, Rachel Ward, Dan Burks, Joel Michaely and Katherine Ann McGregor produced and Niraj Bhatia and Frank Mele served as executive producers.

Spwa brokered the deal with Parks and Mele of Rival Pictures and their legal team at Reder & Feig. Kevin Iwashina and Zac Bright of Preferred Content represent Us rights.

Picturehouse has acquired all Us rights to Adam WIngard’s Sundance premiere The Guest, which also screens in Austin on March 8.

Snoot Entertainment’s Keith Calder and Jessica Calder...

Update: Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (Spwa) has acquired all international rights to Space Station 76, while in separate deals Picturehouse has acquired The Guest and Starz Digital Media has taken North American rights to To Be Takei ahead of their Austin screenings.

Space Station 76 is set to premiere at SXSW on March 8 and stars Patrick Wilson and Liv Tyler in the comedic retro tale of space station inhabitants imperiled by an asteroid. Jack Plotnick directed.

Edward Parks, Rachel Ward, Dan Burks, Joel Michaely and Katherine Ann McGregor produced and Niraj Bhatia and Frank Mele served as executive producers.

Spwa brokered the deal with Parks and Mele of Rival Pictures and their legal team at Reder & Feig. Kevin Iwashina and Zac Bright of Preferred Content represent Us rights.

Picturehouse has acquired all Us rights to Adam WIngard’s Sundance premiere The Guest, which also screens in Austin on March 8.

Snoot Entertainment’s Keith Calder and Jessica Calder...

Following the footsteps of the box office smash hit, Ten Things I Hate About You, the creative team of Producer, Andrew Lazar (Bound, Get Smart) and Gil Junger (Ten Things I Hate About You, Black Knight) recommence with their eagerly awaited follow up called 10 Things I Hate About Life starring Evan Rachel Wood (Charlie Countryman, The Wrestler) and Thomas McDonell (The Forbidden Kingdom, Prom).

Previously, Gil Junger and Andrew Lazar brought the audience a unique insight into navigating a complicated high school life in the process launching the careers of Heath Ledger and Julia Styles and featuring a hilarious and memorable performance from Joseph Gordon Levitt.

10 Things I Hate About Life is the comedic story of a boy and girl who meet and fall in love – just when they are about to kill themselves!! Their crazy shared experiences and similar emotional state forms a bond that draws them both into...

Still trying to get on track, I missed the Woodstock Film Festival Brunch because I had the wrong address for the New York Lounge which changed its venue after many years. Then it was too packed to get into, so I wandered up and down Main Street until the Creative Coalition Lunch.  I stopped in at the new Sundance Co-op where sponsors had some fun giveaways: L'Oreal was doing make-up and hair styling, Waldorf Hotel gave me some really nice gloves with Sundance logo and their own, Canada Goose took 4 photo booth pictures of me wearing their hat and jacket.

The Creative Coalition lunch began with cocktails where I saw Gael Garcia Bernal and thanked him for making Who is Dayani Cristal? which Indiewire has reviewed (see the link). However they changed venues as well and I did not much like the cocktail venue; it was crowded and felt more like a press work session than a social event.  The lunch started at 1pm and I had to make a 2:30pm screening so I was tense.  Two awards are given to inspirational teachers.  The first was not quite focussed though the audience very much enjoyed hearing Bill Pullman speak of his growing up; his advice was "don't take advice". The interview was a bit scattered and it was only at the end when Bill told the audience that his early acting teacher now has established a free theater (and school) in a small town far from the maddening crowd that I understood the teacher's true devotion.

Joey Lauren Adams, originally for North Little Rock, was much more inspiring. Her 8th grade drama teacher spoke of how Joey Lauren as a natural and when she enacted a scene, she showed the teacher herself something she had never understood to be a part of that scene before.  Joey Lauren herself told of how shocked she was to not make the cheerleader team as everyone she knew including her sister were cheer leaders.  Finding herself an outcast, she compensated by becoming an office monitor and felt important being able to issue hall passes (or not). She joined the Drama Club which was a venue for geeks, not cheerleaders, and her teacher opened her eyes to the world and to her own unique self and formed her desire to become an actress.  That was truly inspiring!

From the lunch I caught a bus and arrived in time for Inequality For All which is have blogged about immediately on leaving, so inspired was I. And besides, I was on the buss going to the next event - Ira Deutschman's Columbia party and the party for We Are What We Are where I got to sit and talk with Orly Ravid who is in law school and her partner Jeffrey Winter from The Film Collaborative. 

I sat next to Debra Zimmerman of Women Make Movies who helped me with my iPad while we caught up a little.  It was at the Bahamas Film Festival Junkaroo practice several years ago since we had any time together.  She is being honored everywhere for her 40 year old anniversary of Women Make Movies and invited me to their celebration here in Sundance.  We met again at the Ida/ ro*co party at the Kimball Art Center where she introduced me to her posse, Itvs folks and others.  Michael Donaldson, Lisa Callif and Chris Perez were all there from Donaldson Callif and we got time to catch up on them and their 11 films at Sundance (and 2 at Slamdance).  So many others celebrating documentaries, I cannot go through all the cards I collected.

Again I missed the Korean party I thought, but just realized that it is Monday.  So I returned to Prospector Square on the bus, found my lost glasses and walked to Eccles to find my car (free parking on Saturdays!) and drove home where Harlan and I reviewed our day and planned for tomorrow.

See you Day 4!

Drake Doremus‘ Sundance Grand Prize winner Like Crazy will be the opening night film for the 7th annual Film Independent Forum, according to the non-profit.

Taking place Oct. 21-23 at the Director Guild of America in L.A., Like Crazy (which Paramount Vantage opens on Oct. 28) will kick off the the three-day forum for emerging and established independent filmmakers that covers production, distribution, documentary and new media.

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,...

Here's another opportunity to network with the Ida community...

Don't miss this very special Ida Member Mixer!

You are invited to Ida's next Membership Mixer on Wednesday, November 3rd, from 6:30-9:00pm, to celebrate the launch and signing of Michael Donaldson & Lisa Callif's new book, The American Bar Association: Legal Guide to Independent Filmmaking, followed by a wine and cheese reception.

Location: The Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Web Library 7000 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048.

Complimentary parking is available underground. Please enter at Blackburn.

 RSVP Now!

Writing team and real-life couple David A. Lee and Daniel Vaillancourt have optioned the rights to the English-language remake of "Queens" from Warner Bros./Spain.

The story line in the 2005 Spanish-language feature known as "Reinas" in Europe revolves around five mothers who prepare for Spain's first legal mass wedding for same-sex couples. Manuel Gomez Pereira directed and Joaquin Oristrell and Yolanda Garcia Serrano wrote the original comedy.

Lee said the two had wanted to write the American version of "Queens" since viewing it at 2006 Outfest in Los Anegles. Vaillancourt said he expects the script to offer five substantial roles for older actresses.

"We think it's an ensemble piece that has 'crossover' written all over it," said Vaillancourt.

Lee and Vaillancourt, who were legally married in Canada in 2004, also are writing the feature adaptation of Neil Miller's 2002 nonfiction book "Sex-Crime Panic" for Funny Boy Films.

Their credits include MTV's "Undressed".

They are repped by attorneys Michael Donaldson and Lisa Callif.