10 to Watch is our annual list of filmmakers who we think you should keep an eye our for that year. In 2018, we are rolling out a new one every day for 10 days. This year’s list reflects filmmakers, nominated from readers and industry colleagues, who remind us of our common humanity, lift alternative voices, and show us multiple perspectives.
For 10 years now The Independent has been tooting the horn for indie filmmakers everywhere with our annual 10 to Watch. Read on about how to help us in our 10 for 10 year by nominating a filmmaker. We want to hear the stories of characters who often hide in the shadows of cinema. We will post our list this spring.
In this installment of Women in Film Portraits, Lauren Sowa profiles Danielle Eliska Lyle, a writer, filmmaker, and photographer from Detroit. As a “black archivist,” Danielle’s life work is to tell stories (written, filmed, and photographed) of powerful women, the black diaspora, and the state of black culture. Danielle has gained notable screenwriting recognition and many awards. Her infectious spirit and passion for creative storytelling are palpable; read on!
In Part 2 of “Art of the Entrepreneur,” RB (Richard Botto) interviews Michele Meek of NewEnglandfilm.com about her business: an online magazine, industry directory, jobs board, and film festival. In this candid exchange, RB and Meek discuss developing your competitive advantage, creating an online persona and brand, and monetizing your business as an entrepreneur.
In part one of this two-part interview, Michele Meek of NewEnglandFilm.com talks with RB (Richard Botto) of Stage 32 about building a personal brand and persisting as an entrepreneur. RB discusses his entrepreneurial and creative ventures, including Stage 32 and his recent book Crowdsourcing for Filmmakers: Indie Film and the Power of the Crowd.
In this installment of Women in Film Portraits, Lauren Sowa profiles Alicia Slimmer, Director of the Award-Winning narrative feature Creedmoria. Slimmer discusses the making of the film, its musical influences, and its festival run. In addition, Slimmer shares lessons learned in Directing Creedmoria and offers advice to women working in the film industry today. Creedmoria will be released May 18th on Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play.
The Independent’s Senior Film Critic Kurt Brokaw shares his favorite full-length features and shorts from this year’s New Directors/New Films Festival in New York City. The festival, which introduces audiences to emerging filmmakers from around the world, runs Wednesday March 8th through Sunday April 8th. It is presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art.
Mike Sullivan describes the years-long process filmmakers Jessica Barnthouse and Stacy Buchanan undertook in making their first feature documentary, Something Wicked This Way Comes. The film featured at this year’s Boston Underground Film Festival. A revised version of the doc, titled The Man in the Mask, will be showing at festivals later this year.