saturday, April 6

Auditorium 3 at 11:25 AM
Where Are We Now?

Auditorium 5 at 2:00 PM
Scripting Strong Scenes

Sunday, April 7

Auditorium 5 at 1:00 PM
Getting Down to Brass Tax

Auditorium 4 at 4:30 PM
VFX for Indie Filmmakers

Saturday, APRIL 13

Auditorium 4 at 1:30 PM
Stretching Your Budget

Auditorium 5 at 4:00 PM
Character Work

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

Auditorium 4 at 1:15 PM
The Demeanor of a Director

Auditorium 5 at 3:45 PM
Pitch Perfect

Filmmaker panels offer an exciting opportunity to hear from the voices of experience across all areas of filmmaking. It’s a great way to spend your time at the festival between screenings and get even more insight into the exciting world of filmmaking from our amazing festival filmmakers!

Be a part of the conversation! There is something for everyone to learn as filmmakers from across the country join us for discussions about pressing issues in the world of film and filmmaking. We invite filmmakers, aspiring filmmakers, and film lovers alike to join the conversation!

Although these panels are FREE to attend, you will need to pick up a voucher from our ticketing center in order attend and to reserve your seat in the Harkins auditorium. Tickets for Filmmaker Panels will not be available online.

Saturday, April 6

Auditorium 3 at 11:25 AM - Where Are We Now?
Moderated By: Ernie Quiroz
A much needed discussion of the state of diverse and inclusive representation in film and what we can do moving forward. We talk to filmmakers about their experience with representation. Do they feel like diverse stories are being told? Are we improving representation behind the scenes as well? What can we do on the indie level to keep pushing for change?

Auditorium 5 at 2:00pm - Scripting Strong Scenes
Moderated By: Marcus Stricklin
Getting scene ideas is often one of the easy parts. But when you tackle each one of them in your script, how do you make sure the scene is serving the larger story and moving it forward? 

Sunday, April 7

Auditorium 5 at 1:00pm - Getting Down to Brass Tax
Moderated By: Rebekah Varghese
Arizona luckily has new tax incentives for filmmakers and we're bringing in local experts who work with the filmmakers using them. We'll also talk to a filmmaker currently taking advantage of the program.

Presented by: Arizona Production Association

Auditorium 4 at 4:30pm - VFX for Indie Filmmakers
Moderated By: Paul DeNigris
Good visual effects can lift films of any budget and go far beyond stuff like making monsters fight each other. Let's discuss how to pull them off on the indie level.

Saturday, April 13

Auditorium 4 at 1:30pm - Stretching Your Budget
Moderated By: Monte Yazzie
Limber up and learn how to make your budget go further. From crewing up, casting the film, and cutting corners, producers and directors break down the ways they made their movie for far less than they should've been able to. 

Presented by: Arizona Production Association

Auditorium 5 at 4:00pm - Character Work
Moderated By: Colleen Hartnett
Actors at the festival break down their approach to fleshing out the performance for a character. What kinds of conversations do they have with their director and what work do they do on their own? How do you stay flexible when you have ideas?

SuNday, April 14

Auditorium 4 at 1:15pm - The Demeanor of a Director
Moderated By: Josh Kasselman
There is a lot of pressure on directors on a set, and everyone has their own working style. How you carry yourself, communicate, and care for your people can affect the outcome of your film and your career. Get some tips on how to be the best leader you can be for your team. 

Auditorium 5 at 3:45pm - Pitch Perfect
Moderated By: Elizabeth Grace Garcia
You want to get a budget together and get a film made? You need to know how to pitch it well. From the elevator version to a full presentation, we go over the best ways to prepare yourself to pitch your film.