FILM INDEPENDENT ANNOUNCES 2018 DIRECTING LAB FELLOWS

Film Independent announced today the 6 directors selected for its 18th annual Directing Lab. The Lab is an intensive eight-week program designed to support emerging independent film directors on their feature films. Daniel Barnz (Cake, Phoebe in Wonderland), Nicole Holofcener (Enough Said, Friends with Money) and James Ponsoldt (The End of the Tour, The Spectacular Now) are the 2018 Directing Lab Creative Advisors. Additional Advisors and guest speakers include: Ruth Atkinson, Rodrigo García, Catherine Hardwicke, Alex O’Flinn, Lisa Robertson, Nancy Schreiber, ASC, Emily Schweber and Chloé Zhao.

“At Film Independent, we work year-round to advocate for an inclusive industry and there is still vital work to be done to address gender and diversity representation,” said Jennifer Kushner, Director of Artist Development at Film Independent. “The Directing Lab is an essential part of fixing the representation equation in Hollywood. The talented 2018 Directing Fellows join Lab alumni including Ana Lily Amirpour, Tina Mabry, Andrew Ahn and Sian Heder. Our commitment to ensuring that bold and diverse creators remain at the forefront of visual storytelling is stronger than ever.”

Past Directing Lab Fellows also include Christina Choe with Nancy (2018 Sundance Film Festival), Sheldon Candis with LUV (2012 Sundance Film Festival), Cherien Dabis with Amreeka (2010 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominee, FIPRESCI Award Winner at 2009 Cannes Film Festival) and Robbie Pickering with Natural Selection (2012 Spirit Award Nominee, Winner SXSW Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award).

Under the guidance of established industry professionals who serve as Creative Advisors, Directing Lab Fellows receive script feedback, discuss their visions, and select short scenes from their screenplays to workshop. Each director then casts actors and rehearses their scenes in the Lab before undertaking a mini-production; Film Independent provides Fellows with digital camera, lighting and sound packages and small stipends to shoot their scenes, and offers access to experienced casting directors, cinematographers, and editors with whom to collaborate and consult. The process creates an opportunity to see the work through from pre- to post-production, and culminates in a group screening for fellow Lab participants and Advisors.