Film Independent Announces Alfred P. Sloan Grant Recipients

LOS ANGELES, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced writer/director Jenny Deller and producer Kristin Fairweather as the recipients of the inaugural Alfred P. Sloan grant, awarded to one project in Fast Track, the annual film financing market that takes place during the Los Angeles Film Festival.

In addition, Film Independent also announced the filmmakers and film projects selected for its 8th annual Fast Track program, sponsored by Eastman Kodak Company.  Taking place during the Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times, and running from June 17-27 in downtown Los Angeles, Fast Track is an intensive, three-day film-financing market. During programmed one-on-one meetings, participants are connected with established financiers, production companies, agents, managers, and other film industry professionals who can move their current projects forward.

"We are thrilled to have such tremendous support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for our Fast Track filmmakers," said Josh Welsh, Director of Talent Development for Film Independent.  "The program has given so many filmmakers the guidance and resources they needed to complete their projects.  

The following projects and filmmakers have been selected for 2010 Fast Track:

1. The Dead Circus – Adam Davenport, Writer/Director
2. El Flaco - Jeff Seymann Gilbert, Writer/Director; David Newsom, Producer
3. Future Weather - Jenny Deller, Writer/Director/Producer, Kristin Fairweather, Producer
4. Gravity - Marah Strauch, Producer/Director; Eric Bruggemann, Producer  
5. The Life and Mind of Mark DeFriest - Gabriel London, Director
6. Look for the Light - Topaz Adizes, Writer/Director; Tim Hetherington, Producer
7. Love Marriage - Soman Chainani, Writer/Director; Ophira Dagan, Producer
8. The Stones - Ana Lily Amirpour, Producer/Writer/Director
9. The Unexpected - Tom Putnam, Writer/Director/Producer
10. You're A Big Girl Now - Mynette Louie, Producer; Tze Chun, Writer/Director

For detailed information on the filmmakers and projects in Fast Track, please visit FilmIndependent.org.

Fast Track is free to accepted filmmakers, and upon completion, participants become Film Independent Fellows, and receive year-round support, including access to Film Independent's annual film educational offerings, on-staff Filmmaker Advisor, and the Los Angeles Film Festival.  

Current industry participants include representatives from Ambush Entertainment, Anonymous Content, Apparition, Art Linson Productions, Bold Films, Bona Fide Productions, Disney, Eastman Kodak, Far Hills Pictures, Film Finances Inc, Film Rites, Film Sales Company, Focus Features, Fortis Films, Fortitude, Fox Searchlight, Future Film Group, The Gold Company, Greenberg Glusker, Greenberg Taurig, Hunting Lane Films, Hyde Park Entertainment, ICM, IFC Films, Inception Media Group, ITVS, Junction Films, Lionsgate, Magnolia Pictures, Mandalay Pictures, Myriad Pictures, Newbridge Film Capital, Loeb & Loeb, Orange Entertainment, Overture Films, Participant Productions, Persistent Entertainment, Plan B Entertainment, Principato Young Entertainment, RCR Pictures, Roadside Attractions, Silverwood Films, Super Crispy Films, Tower Hill Entertainment, Valhalla Motion Pictures, Voltage Pictures, Volume One, William Morris Endeavor, XYZ Films, Zuckerman Entertainment, and 120 db Films

Recent projects developed through Fast Track include Cherien Dabis' Amreeka, which was nominated for three Spirit Awards this year; Courtney Hunt's Academy Award and Spirit Award-nominated Frozen River; Jennifer Westfeldt's Ira and Abby, which had its world premiere at the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival; Jessica Sanders' award-winning documentary After Innocence; and Scott Prendergast's feature Kabluey, which had its world premiere at the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival.

Film Independent will also release its annual New Talent Guide on its website starting Sunday, June 20 at www.FilmIndependent.org/findtalentguide and on-site at the Los Angeles Film Festival.  The Guide profiles 87 Film Independent Fellows accepted into its talent development program over the last year.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent's Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry leader, or a film lover.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent's mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

SOURCE Film Independent