LIZ ADAMS - INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING AT HER FINEST
Liz Adams, IFA DOT COM's own Vice President of Development, has taken her dreams of filmmaking to the next level. Accepted into the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women (DWW), Adams is in the process of editing her more than 6 hours worth of logged footage into a cohesive, aesthetically pleasing and realistic twelve-minute short. FULL STORY
THE 3RD ANNUAL HOLLYSHORTS FILM FESTIVAL ROLLS THROUGH TINSELTOWN
Forget All Night Long - The 3rdAnnual HollyShorts Short Film Festival Keeps the Party Going All Weekend Long! FULL STORY
IFA's JULY ACTRESS OF THE MONTH- NIKI NIELSEN!
The Blessing and the Curse of Acting from Niki Nielsen's Perspective FULL STORY
HOLLYSHORTS ANNOUNCES HOSTS, PANELS AND JUDGES FOR 3RD ANNUAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
IFA DOT COM announced this we that they will be conducting a nationwide talent search to find the CO-HOST for the much anticipated TOTAL POP STAR series! The show, created by Universal Music Composer/Producer Andrew Van Slee, combines the best that American Idol has to offer with a worldwide, internet friendly scope. Set to launch at the end of August 2007, TOTAL POP STAR will be hosted by Van Slee's business partner Richard Wagner. FULL STORY
IFA DOT COM TOTAL POP STAR
With upgrades edging closer to completion every day, IFA DOT COM has set up a temporary web page to allow interested singers, performers and dreamers to pre-register for the much anticipated TOTAL POP STAR Competition! FULL STORY
IFA DOT COM ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE TOTAL POP STAR CO-HOST AUDITIONS
IFA DOT COM announced today that it will be conducting a nationwide talent search to find the CO-HOST for the much anticipated TOTAL POP STAR series! FULL STORY
2007 LA FILM FESTIVAL DOCUMENTARY DOES YOUR SOUL HAVE A COLD? SET FOR AN OCTOBER PREMIERE ON IFC Before the year 2000, the Japanese word for
depression - Utsubyo - was only heard, recognized or
used within the upper echelon of Japanese medical
circles. FULL STORY
CHRIS ESKA'S AUGUST EVENING - A GEM IN NEED OF A LITTLE POLISHING
With a too-long script, moments of sheer beauty followed promptly by dragging boredom and a cast full of relatively inexperienced/non-actors, the independently produced and directed August Evening could have easily been destined for disaster. FULL STORY
IFA'S JUNE ACTRESS OF THE MONTH
She
has not been a part of the modeling scene for long but
with thirteen past features in magazines
including FHM, Batchelor , Knockout and the like, a fan base of over
200,000 and nearly 1,500,000 views on popular
networking sites like MySpace.com,
model/actress/writer Alexa Demara is working it from
all the right angles. FULL STORY
THE 2007 LA FILM FESTIVAL FINISHES WITH A RAY OF SUNSHINE
LA Film Festival finished its ten day run with a festive Closing Night celebration in the heart of Westwood Village.... FULL STORY
LA FILM FESTIVAL CENTERPIECE PREMIERE JOSHUA SCREENS AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE
LA Film Festival's Centerpiece Premiere Joshua swept into the packed... FULL STORY
TALK TO ME OPENS THE 2007 LA FILM FESTIVAL
Blessed with a perfectly sunny day and ideal temperatures, the Opening Night Premiere of Focus Features' Talk to Me pulled in a crowd so large the film screened at two separate theatres in the posh surroundings of Westwood Village. FULL STORY
YOUR SNEAK PEEK INTO THE 2007 LA FILM FESTIVAL!
In a small but elegant theater tucked away in the glitz and glamour of Beverly Hills, early press screenings of selected LA Film Festival features and documentaries got under way last week with the Eight Films, Isotope Films and IndiePix presentation of Jennifer Venditti's documentary Billy the Kid. FULL STORY
ASHLEY NOEL - IFA'S MAY ACTRESS OF THE MONTH
Ashley Noel, IFA's May Actress of the Month, has numerous blessings to count! FULL STORY
60TH ANNUAL CANNES FILM FESTIVAL WINDS TO A CLOSE
After an auspicious start with the tepidly received world premiere of My Blueberry Nights, the 60th Annual Cannes Film Festival gracefully recovered its footing and took off at a full sprint. FULL STORY
CINEVEGAS - THE WORLD'S MOST DANGEROUS FILM FESTIVAL!
Sin City will role out the red carpet, throw on its glitzy and glamorous best and turn out in droves for the 9th Annual 2007 CineVegas Film Festival. FULL STORY
FILM FESTIVAL INFO FOR ALL IFA MEMBERS!
Known throughout Los Angeles for its unique, creative flavor and seminal MusicFest, the 7th annual Silver Lake Film Festival is slated to begin its ten day run on Thursday, May 03, 2007. Eighteen films, comprised of nine documentaries and nine narratives, will fight it out for top honors in seven categories - Best Picture, Best Documentary Feature, Best Narrative Feature, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay and Audience Favorite. With concerts, Q &A sessions, over 100 shorts screenings and gala parties galore, there's really no other place to be than Silver Lake! FULL STORY
SCREENING INVITATION FOR ALL IFA MEMBERS!
The goal and vision of The StoryMakers Studio is to create a community, a niche, a united society of film fans, filmmakers, and film executives who come together for one purpose and one purpose only - to, through the celebration of film and the sharing of opinions and ideas, become a cultural and economic industry force to be reckoned with. FULL STORY
GOT AN INDIE FLICK? SUBMIT IT!
The ANGELUS STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL offers a $10,000 Excellence in Filmmaking Award plus another $15K in prizes. FULL STORY
6TH ANNUAL TRIBECA FILM FEST AWARD WINNERS HONORED!
The 6th annual Tribeca Film Festival wound to a close this weekend after a successful run brimming with the latest innovations and controversial makeovers of music, art and film. In its final days, Festival coordinators, judges and attendees congregated at Jing Fong restaurant in Chinatown, New York City to honor a cropping of films with awards for excellence... FULL STORY
THE 60TH ANNUAL CANNES FILM FESTIVAL BEGINS!
he
60th
Annual Cannes Film Festival is set to
roll out
its red carpet May 16 2007 with an impressive
schedule and roster full of high profile guests. FULL STORY
REGENT RELEASING AND LIBERATION ENTERTAINMENT JOINED FORCES TO BRING... FULL STORY
THE 8TH ANNUAL NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL COMES TO A CLOSE
Filmmakers and movie fans alike flooded the Regency Lido Theater for the closing award ceremony.... FULL STORY
IFA'S 2006 SCREENPLAY COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
IFA Honors Two Talented Writers! FULL STORY
OPENING NIGHT OF NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL A ROUSING SUCCESS!
As the sun slipped into the wide blue ocean of Newport Beach, the best and brightest ... FULL STORY
THE OTHER VENICE FILM FESTIVAL'S ABBOT AWARDS ANNOUNCED!
With a huge crowd and a sense of nervous
anticipation permeating the building, the 4th Annual
The Other Venice Film Festival came to an
impressive and tearful close
Sunday night with the festive and celebratory Abbot
Awards ceremony. FULL STORY
SPOTLIGHT ON PASSION - EMILY SKOPOV
Emily Skopov was too shy to go into the entertainment industry. Sure she was performing and writing at a very young age. Sure she lived in books, movies and television. Sure she dreamed of making movies. FULL STORY
FILM FESTIVAL CENTRAL - ROUND TWO!
With a tagline of “A place where dreams are cancelled”, The TV Set seemed destined to be sad, depressing and hopeless.
FULL STORY
ADRIAN GRENIER'S EUTHANASIA TO PREMIERE AT HOLLYSHORTS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
A few weeks back, IFA delivered a sampling of some of the best and brightest of nation-wide film festivals. Our list was by no means complete and to prove that fact we present to you a fest that we missed on the last go round. Say hello to HollyShorts, Short Film Festival located right here in downtown Hollywood. | FULL STORY
A WEEKLY DOSE OF ENTERTAINMENT - IT DOES A BODY GOOD!
You’ve got your popcorn. You’ve settled nicely into your cushy seat in the tenth row back, selected because it is close enough for you to lose yourself in the film but far enough away to not put a crick in your neck. | FULL STORY
COMING SOON TO A MUSCLE BEACH NEAR YOU - THE OTHER VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
Venice, California has long had a reputation for muscles, surf and sun. But Venice locals Ruby De La Casas, Gary Ellenberg and AJ Peralta knew there was more to this artsy town by the sea – much, much more. | FULL STORY
WAITING FOR YOUR BIG BREAK? WAIT NO LONGER!
Nu-Lite Entertainment, a forerunner in the urban entertainment film industry is in need of you – yes, you. | FULL STORY
FILM FESTIVAL CENTRAL
Every wondered when and where films are discovered, where they make it or break it? Wonder no longer. | FULL STORY
79TH ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
As Sunday morning dawned in Los Angeles, the sunny and warm southern California weather was nowhere to be found, utterly eclipsed by dark and heavy rain clouds. | FULL STORY
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
IFA is about to begin production on its latest film, a sequel to previous blockbuster hit Adam & Evil. | FULL STORY
27TH ANNUAL GENIE AWARDS ANNOUNCED!
The 27th annual Genie Awards, the Canadian equivalent of the Oscars and the pride and joy of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, kicked into high gear, recognizing and celebrating the achievements of the best and brightest in Canadian film. | FULL STORY
OSCARS, GRAMMYS...YUP. IT'S AWARD SEASON!
With the 79th Annual Academy Awards just around the corner, Hollywood is buzzing with speculations, educated guesses and gossip. | FULL STORY
DGA AWARDS ANNOUNCED
The evening of Saturday, February 3rd marked yet
another Hollywood awards celebration. The Directors
Guild of America congregated together in the
entertainment capital of the world to present a
handful of deserving nominees with awards for
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in 2006. | FULL STORY
ANNA NICOLE SMITH, DEAD AT 39
Life, by all accounts, had not been kind of late to
Anna Nicole Smith. Between the paternity test
drama brewing over her daughter Dannilynn and the
controversial and highly publicized death of
her son, scandal seemed to follow the buxom blonde
wherever she went. | FULL STORY
THE NEW FACE OF IFA. COMING SOON UFILMIT.COM
It has long been a goal of the Independent
Filmmakers Alliance to bring to it members and
dedicated followers a website conducive to learning
the ins and outs of the independent film industry. | FULL STORY
AND THE WINNER IS...JAMIE SORIA!
IFA's Indie actress of the month for January. | FULL STORY
SAG AWARDS DELIVER GLAMOUR BUT FEW SURPRISES
On a balmy Sunday evening in the heart of Los Angeles, the sun went down and the stars came out - literally. | FULL STORY
AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS KEEP HUMOR OUT AND BOREDOM IN |
There are different types of movies – some are designed to make us think, some are designed to make us cry and still others are designed to make us laugh our faces off. FULL STORY
IFA IS HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THE ACTRESS OF THE MONTH FOR DECEMBER: Lynne Langdon!!! | FULL STORY
SEASONS GREETINGS FROM IFA!
From all of us at the Independent Filmmakers Alliance, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
IFA ACTRESS WINNER FOR NOVEMBER | FULL STORY
Nov 2006 | PANELIST AGREE: HORROR FILMS STILL ONE OF THE SAFEST BETS
During a seminar at the American Film Market attendees were told which genres work best in the international film market, and it isn’t a surprise what they... FULL STORY
Nov 2006 | NO CHANGE IN INDIE FILM PRICES
Indie films are still fetching about the same dollar amount and remain stable. As a filmmaker (Producer) you should take a look at the minimums to get an idea of what... FULL STORY
Nov 2006 | THE NETWORK FOR INDEPENDENTS' HOST INTERACTIVE AUDIENCE SITE
Los Angeles, Nov. 10, 2006 This year at AFI FEST 2006, it’s not just the filmmakers expressing themselves on screen.. FULL STORY
Nov, 2006 | American Film Market Coverage 2006 | FULL STORY
Nov, 2006 | October’s Actress of the Month | FULL STORY
Oct 30th, 2006 | Meet the Actresses of the Month at the AFM Exclusive Party
Andrew Van Slee and Maurice Smith are at it again! They have put together one of the largest party events for this years’ AFM. If you have been to previous parties hosted by Andrew Van Slee, you’ll no what to expect, if you haven’t, be prepared to have a lot of fun!
| FULL STORY
Oct 30th, 2006 | Palm Beach International Film Festival Seeks Films
The 12th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival (PBIFF) is now accepting film submissions for the festival taking place April 19-26, 2007. This competitive festival, set in the hot trendy beachside location of Palm Beach County is a must for the spring festival circuit! | FULL STORY
Oct 25th, 2006 | Independent Filmmakers Alliance To Celebrate One Million Hits At The American Film Market
It’s a big deal to have a million hits on a website over an eight month period. And, to celebrate this landmark, the IFA One Million Hit Party is set to happen in conjunction with the 27th Annual American Film Market. | FULL STORY
Oct 20th, 2006 | Hilarious film fun at Darryl's Hard Liquor and Porn Film Festival
You know it's no ordinary film festival when the most
visible media coverage are the crews from SexTV and
the Naked News, and you know for sure you're not in
Kansas anymore when the executive producer's
assistant is a tall guy in a spandex devil's suit,
complete with red wings... | FULL STORY
Oct 19th, 2006 | IFA One Million Hit Party!, The contacts and links
We apologize for the technical difficulty with the contacts and links on our previous Newsletter - October 17th, 2006. The contacts and links are below. | FULL STORY
Oct 18th, 2006 | Don't Miss the IFA One Million Hit Party!
The IFA proudly presents our One Million Hit Party celebrating the success of the Independent Filmmakers Alliance's million hits and the 25th Annual American Film Market. | FULL STORY
Oct 6th, 2006 | IFF (International Funding Forum) at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival)
TIFF won its high profile reputation as a film goers' mecca, and even hardened critics like syndicated columnist Roger Ebert have gushed over the city's ardent film fans.
| FULL STORY
Oct 4th, 2006 | Meet the actress of the Month - Laura Goodine
Laura Goodine, October's Actress of the Month winner, is both delighted and surprised at the recognition. “I started out with no intentions of modeling, or acting, or anything like that at all!” she laughs.
| FULL STORY
Oct 4th, 2006 | Jeremy Brock Gives Driving Lessons
It isn t everyday that a first-time feature director gets to work with his absolute dream cast, but Jeremy Brock, who was able to snare multiple-Oscar nominees Julie Walters and Laura Linney, along with Harry Potter s Rupert Grint, for his semi- autobiographical film Driving Lessons, was able to do just that.
| FULL STORY
Sep 29, 2006 | Ruba Nadda - Storyteller
I have to have a story I can't walk away from, explains internationally acclaimed film maker Ruba Nadda.As a prolific short fiction writer whose work has been published in over 400 literary journals worldwide, presumably, Nadda's problem has never been the lack of a story to tell. | FULL STORY
Sep 27, 2006 | The Film Circuit - Finding the Audience
Canadian fans of independent and 'art' films in the Big 3 Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal have a smorgasbord of offerings to choose from, with film festivals, repertory theatres, film schools and venues like Cinamatheque Ontario, at the Art Gallery of Ontario, that routinely show indie fare. | FULL STORY
Sep 20, 2006 | Film Review - an inconvenient truth
“An Inconvenient Truth” has stirred the debate about the future of our civilization possible more than any other movie in recent film history. Although man’s impending doom has been played out numerous times before through various natural or manmade disasters, from crashing asteroids to tsunami swells and even nuclear fallout, this one is different. | FULL STORY
Sep 15, 2006 | Exclusive Interview With Nikki Reed
It was only three years ago that Jodi Marie Reynolds,
a busy, Orange County mother of two, took her first
acting class. Before that, she d never dreamed of
being a star. No drama geek in high school, Jodi
had been an athlete. | FULL STORY
Sep 13, 2006 | Exclusive Interview With Jodi Marie Reynolds by Lisa Johnson
It was only three years ago that Jodi Marie Reynolds,
a busy, Orange County mother of two, took her first
acting class. Before that, she d never dreamed of
being a star. No drama geek in high school, Jodi
had been an athlete. | FULL STORY
Sep 11, 2006 | Film Review by Lisa Johnson
The dark, haunting beauty of early 19th century
Vienna, the regal lushness of royalty and the
mysterious wonder of magic combine to make The
Illusionist feel like a jewel in an ancient treasure box.
It s not a flawless stone, but one with great value
none-the-less. | FULL STORY
Aug 30, 2006 | Joshua Jackson: An Independent Made in Canada
Jackson was born in Canadian Hollywood
-- Vancouver -- and his mother was a casting director, it’s
no surprise that his film career began before he was a year old,
when he appeared in The Changeling with George C. Scott. The
blue-eyed actor is probably best known for his mercurial role of
Pacey Witter on the popular TV series Dawson’s Creek, but he also
has quite the cinematic resume. | FULL STORY
Aug 25, 2006 | Rebelfest International Film Festival
When most filmmakers
move to LA, they never look back. The same can’t be said for sound engineer
and “The Angry Filmmaker,” Kelley Baker. Born in raised in Portland, Oregon,
Baker moved to LA where he attended USC's Film School to receive his BA and
MFA and further his film career. However in 1982, doctor’s advised Baker to
return to a more humid and less-polluted locale on account of his growing
asthma problem. | FULL STORY
Aug 25, 2006 | Actress Anna Paquin on Indie Films
When you win an Oscar at age 11, it’s easy to think
that you've reached the peak of your career. But
Anna Paquin begs to differ. Having stunned the world
with her Best Supporting Actress Award back in 1993
for The Piano, Paquin now credits her
acceptance in
the New York theatre scene as one of her biggest
accomplishments. | FULL STORY
Aug 25, 2006 | Building a "House of Sand"
Although the stunning Brazilian Indie, House of
Sand,
hasn’t even had its international debut at the 2006
Toronto International Film Festival, it’s already
garnering some world-class attention, thanks to its
lyrical story and stellar cast. | FULL STORY
Aug 25, 2006 | This Film is Not Yet Rated
Dick in This Film Is Not Yet Rated
Kirby Dick is mad as hell and he’s not gonna take it
anymore. The Oscar-Nominated Director, (Twist
of Faith) found the MPAA ratings system, first
implemented in 1968 by longtime president Jack
Valenti, to be biased, absurd, and, most puzzling of
all, absolutely secret – almost sacred. So Dick
decided to investigate, and make a documentary
about it. | FULL STORY
Aug 19, 2006 | Quinceanera - from idea to film
Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland believed
they were just buying a great house in a quaint,
ethnic neighborhood. The writing/directing team had
no idea that Echo Park would serve as the inspiration
and location for their next film. But when they were
invited by their neighbors to serve as photographers
for a "Quinceanera," the elaborate right of passage
celebration held for Latino girls when they turn
fifteen, the filmmakers were completely overwhelmed
by the poignancy and the culture. An idea was born. | FULL STORY
Aug 16, 2006 | Preview of Toronto International Film Festival
The end of
summer may carry bittersweet
connotations, but for Canadian film fans, the return
of cooler evenings also means the highly anticipated
return of the Toronto International Film Festival
(September 7-16), ten days where the city becomes
a veritable mecca for all things film. | FULL STORY
Aug 12, 2006 | An IFA exclusive interview with David Weaver
For writer/director David Weaver, independent films
are more of a mode of filmmaking – even of thinking –
than simply a matter of economics. | FULL STORY
Aug 9, 2006 | Indie Queen Toni Collette
The first time you probably noticed Toni Collette would have been
about a dozen years ago, playing the maniacally marriage minded title character in Muriel’s Wedding. You’ll next see her playing an even more intense character with a mania of an entirely different nature in the eerie drama The Night Listener. Or perhaps you’ll next see her as a hapless, middle-class mom in Little Miss
Sunshine – both films will be in theaters simultaneously. But Collette’s uncanny ability to disappear inside her characters so that the actress herself becomes
invisible, is both uncanny and uncommon in someone
of her stature. | FULL STORY
Aug 4, 2006 | Exclusive interview with Little Miss Sunshine directors
After collaborating on more than 75 film, television,
commercial and music video projects, the husband
and wife directing team of Valerie Faris and Jonathan
Dayton has finally released their first feature, and
what a film it is. Some critics have already christened
Little Miss Sunshine ’the best comedy of the
year.’ | FULL STORY
Aug 2, 2006 | Actress of the Month July
Congratulations to Kimmarie Johnson who won our July Actress of the Month competition with thousands of votes. Kimmarie Johnson started modeling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and did well enough to enter other markets and booked national jobs. A former beauty queen and top finalist at the Miss USA pageant, representing the state of Pennsylvania, Johnson took acting classes in Pittsburgh and upon her arrival in Los Angeles, she immediately started seeking more classes to further her skills. | FULL STORY
Aug 2, 2006 | A Walk on the Wild Side
"Networking is everything in this business," notes
Matthew Toffolo, of Toronto’s newly formed Wild Card Pictures (www.wildcardpictures.com). His own example is certainly a case in point. | FULL STORY
Aug 1, 2006 | Rebelfest International Film Festival
This year will mark the third annual Rebelfest International Film Festival. This non-profit festival goes head to head with the mighty Toronto International Film Festival during it’s opening weekend so it has the benefit of international distributors, film critics and reps who flood the city each September. | FULL STORY
July 31, 2006 | Sherrybaby: worth the wait
After a five year gestation period, Writer/Director
Laurie Collyer has finally given birth to the film
Sherrybaby, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal as a
drug
addict just out of prison, trying to cope with life,
love, and a tenuous relationship with the small
daughter she was forced to leave behind. It’s
Collyer’s first feature film, and she chats with IFA
about how life, both her own and her lead
character’s, can get in the way of an independent
film release. | FULL STORY
July 25, 2006 | The Quiet explores unconventional filmmaking
It’s hard to believe it but The Quiet is only
director Jamie Babbit’s second feature film. She first
garnered attention with her directorial debut in the
saucy Indie comedy But I’m a Cheerleader. It
premiered at the Toronto Film Festival
and played at Sundance, Rotterdam, and Créteil,
where it earned the Best Young
Director and the Audience Award. Starring Natasha
Lyonne, Clea Duvall, Cathy Moriarity and the fabulous
RuPaul, But I’m A Cheerleader became an
instant success and got Babbit noticed as
Variety voted her as one of the 10 Filmmakers
to Watch. | FULL STORY
July 25, 2006 | Being Resourceful
We’ve gotten a lot of questions from people regarding our resource listings and how it all works. So, to cut down on confusion, I figured I should give you a short tutorial right here and now.
Say you are a film producer who is coming to Vancouver to shoot an Indie film. Problem is, you don’t know the town and aren’t sure where to find the things you need. Look no further, our IFA Resources section is there to help. | FULL STORY
July 24, 2006 | A New "Brand" of Editing
Joyce
Brand has made her mark on the world of
Indies with her love of editing. Working her way up
from editing intern to assistant, Brand managed to
edit her first feature film in three years after starting
out. Since then she has worked with filmmakers such
as Eli Steele (What’s Bugging Seth?), Michael
Phillip Edwards (Runt) and Mark David
(Intoxicating). Her work on the “hilarious
documentary” Outdoorsmen: Blood, Sweat and
Beers was shown in theatres earlier this year,
while her next project is American Cowslip, an
edgy dark comedy, which has her collaborating with
Mark David once again. I recently got a chance to
talk with Brand about editing for Indie films. | FULL STORY
July 19, 2006 | Announcing our Screenplay Winners!
Congratulations to William Finlay of Toronto, Ontario,
for his winning Feature-Length Script
Spur of the
Moment. A comedy-thriller, Spur of the
Moment is about a man who undergoes a
surprising and remarkable transformation after he
uncharacteristically decks a belligerent stranger -
only to learn the man he
punched is a notorious underworld figure who’s
looking to exact revenge. But winning is nothing
new to Finlay, whose family script 10 Cent
Solution won the Gold Prize at the 2004 PAGE
International Screenwriting Awards. | FULL STORY
July 14, 2006 | Is Film School Worth the Expense?
To go to film school or not to go to film school, that is the question?
Well, this is a tough one, but I’m just gonna lay it on the line here. Filmmakers are filmmakers... | FULL STORY
July 12, 2006 | Writing for Independent Films
John Meadows is a man who believes in those golden moments. The 1st act of his Indie film Wisegirls popped into his head while he was walking across the Burrard Street Bridge in Vancouver, back in the late 90’s and that act has remained relatively intact ever since...| FULL STORY
July 9, 2006 | Casting from the Heart
Ricki G. Maslar started off as an actor, coaxed into
performing by a high school teacher who threatened
to flunk her if she didn’t take theatre. Yet, despite
Maslar’s venture into the acting world, she found
that she was better at casting other actors than
acting herself. Maslar’s now been a casting director
for the 30 years, having cast big studio flicks
such as Twister, as well as numerous Indies.
She also runs a production company,
Unconditional Entertainment, with Jason
Connery, Sean Connery’s son, with several films
currently in development. | FULL STORY
July 5, 2006 | Brielle Strohmeyer: beauty and brains
Congratulations to Brielle Strohmeyer, the winner of June’s Actress of the Month competition. Also featured in the newsletter, is our next batch of competing beauties. Show your support for you favourite and get your vote in early. Also, keep in mind, the IFA needs your short films for our online competition, so get them in now! | FULL STORY
June 30, 2006 | Actress of the Month is doing super
Though she just won our Actress of the Month a few weeks back, Christina DeRosa is already up to bigger and better things. She recently attended the World Premiere of Superman Returns last Wednesday in Hollywood, CA. DeRosa, looking sexy in her “Fuori” Moriko Slip Dress by Epifania, arrived on the arm of Efren Ramirez, better known as “Pedro” from Napoleon Dynamite. After a walk down the red carpet and smiling for the paparazzi, DeRosa kindly posed with her winning check from the IFA for winning Actress of the Month. She then went on to watch the flick at the Fox Movie Theatre and the finally hit up the after-party, filled with food, drinks and celebrities.... | FULL STORY
June 29, 2006 | What’s going on at the IFA
There’s been a lot of changes going on at the IFA and all to serve you and the Indie community better. We are re-designing the site to make it easier to navigate and are adding some cool new features ... | FULL STORY
June 23, 2006 | How good scheduling can save your film big bucks
With Indie films, time is always money. So, it makes sense that a good schedule is vital for managing your film and staying on budget. Indie director and producer Matt Zettell knows this all too well. Currently shooting two 12-day Indie films back-to-back--The Cellar Door and Phoenix--Zettell believes that a good schedule is a key indicator when it comes to your Indie's success. | FULL STORY
June 21, 2006 | Gregory Smith takes on producing
In his 22 years, actor Gregory Smith has had his fair share of diversified roles; a kid battling army toys come-to-life in Toy Soldiers, the war-hungry son of Mel Gibson in The Patriot, or a sensitive yet strong-minded teenager moving to a small town in Everwood. But the latest role for this ambitious Canadian is that of producer. | FULL STORY
June 16, 2006 | How to find Indie success by balancing creativity and commerce
In Hollywood, it usually takes ages to get anything done. That’s s why Suzanne Lyon’s and Kate Robbin’s Snowfall Films stand apart from the pack. Over the last four years, the indie film company has managed to produce a total of seven films, including Undertaking Betty, a British comedy starring Christopher Walken and Naomi Watts and The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things, with Winona Ryder and Peter Fonda. | FULL STORY
June 14, 2006 | The Evolution of William B. Davis
As I was driving to the set of the indie film Numb to interview William B. Davis, I couldn’t help but feel a bit apprehensive. I kept thinking that I was going to interview The Cigarette Smoking Man, his sly, calculating, alien-loving character from the The X-Files. The fact that Numb was being shot at an old mental asylum didn’t help either. | FULL STORY
June 9, 2006 | First-time director Dennis Fallon at the helm
Dennis Fallon is no stranger to the movie business. As an independent film producer, Fallon has made a range of films from 2000’s family movie More Than Puppy Love, with Diane Ladd (which sells five thousand boxes a week at Wal-Mart), to 2002’s Threat of Exposure, a thriller starring Sean Young and William Devane. | FULL STORY
June 7, 2006 | Independent’s Day: How much can I expect to get for my Indie Film?
Everyone has heard of the success of Open Water. Made for an estimated $130K, the film went on to gross an incredible $38.5M worldwide. So, was its success just dumb luck, or was it a matter of finding the right distribution? | FULL STORY
June 1, 2006 | From Munchkin to Movie Star
The Independent Film Alliance is pleased to announce that our May Actress of the Month is the lovely Christina DeRosa, who attracted an outstanding 72,847 votes on our website. | FULL STORY
June 1, 2006 | BEAR ISLAND FILMS COMPLETES INDIE FILM
Bear Island Films is proud to announce The Oxford International Film Festival’s "Merchant-Ivory Award" Winner for best feature film: Red is the Color of | FULL STORY
May 3, 2006 | FLIFF is now accepting, submissions for its upcoming film festival
The 21st Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival will be held October 20 - November 12, 2006 at venues throughout South Florida. Activities at the festival include: | FULL STORY
April 26, 2006 | IFA MEMBERSHIP NOTICE
This is to let all members know that your membership is still valid even
if you got a notification from pay pal. Originally we had set it up
where pay pal would automatically renew the membership. We have
cancelled this option and in doing so pay pal may have sent you a
notification that you have been cancelled. This is to let you know that
you have not been cancelled and you are still a member in good standing
with the IFA.
April 12 , 2006 | Major Distribution Company looking For Completed Films
We’re contacting all filmmakers with a great opportunity. Just recently our company has made a deal to provide a major distribution company with independent films that are completed, and ready to be marketed. All featured film styles are open to be submitted. It’s a great opportunity to let this major company review your film project, to be marketed world-wide. The distribution company works with Lion’s Gate, and HBO Television. It’s a great opportunity for new filmmakers.
"G5 ENTERTAINMENT" All Interested Parties, E-mail Us With Your Completed Film Or Films Information At: JMRCOMPANY@YAHOO.COM
March 13, 2006 | 26TH ANNUAL GENIE AWARDS
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is pleased to announce the winners of the 26th Annual Genie Awards, celebrating excellence in Canadian cinema. | FULL STORY
March 9, 2006 | Canadian director wins top honours at the Academy awards - Paul Haggis wins big at the Oscars with the Lions Gate released "Crash". Everyone at the IFA congratulates Paul on his huge win!
Feb 27, 2006 | Canadian producer nominated for best picture at 2006 Academy awards "CAPOTE" | VIEW ARTICLE
Feb 16, 2006 | IFA set to begin 10 film Indie slate.
The IFA is ready to roll camera on 10 Independent
Features. The first feature "Creepy Movie" is a broad comedy that spoofs spoofs like "Scary Movie", "Date Movie", and "Shaun of the Dead". The screenplay was written by award winning comedy writer Larry Postel, (www.moviebytes.com &
www.internationalscreenwritingawards.com) with the story outline coming from Andrew Van Slee.
The second film "The Devils Playground" was written by successful writer/director Michael Bafaro. (11:11 The Gate, The Barber) Once these two films are completed and distributed the IFA plans on continuing to produce it,s slate of 10. The films have distribution already in place. Some of the upcoming films will be coming from the winners of the IFA screenplay competitions, depending on budget, genre, etc. If you have a script already entered into the competition, good luck, and if not get yours in ASAP. The screenplay deadline is February 2006.
12.06.05 | North Shore Outlook
Red-carpet treatment for writers | VIEW ARTICLE
12.06.05 | Congratulations to Matt Austin!
Matt Austin, one of Toronto,s most enthusiastic writer/director/actor was thrilled when he was announced as the First place winner of the IFA Short Screenplay Competition 2005. His short screenplay entitled "Two People in Complete Darkness" is set to be in production in the New Year. | MORE INFO
11.28.05 | IFA AWARDS CEREMONY A HUGE SUCCESS!
We were pleased with the turn out for the Awards Ceremony and had a great evening. Thanks to all of our sponsors who donated door prizes, our volunteers, and everyone that submitted a script. With over 200 script submissions from all across Canada, it was a tough decision to pick just one winner for the IFA First Annual Screenplay Contest. Here are the names of the runner,s up and the winner of the First Annual Screenplay Competition. Congratulations to Matt Austin who will have his film produced and marketed worldwide!
VIEW PHOTOS
Winner - "Two People in Complete Darkness" by Matt Austin of Toronto, ON
1st Runner Up - "Audition Now" by Cameron Park of Vancouver, B.C.
2nd Runner Up - "Movie Talkers: Scum of Humanity" by Peter Christopher MacBride of Toronto, ON.
3rd Runner Up - "Redemption" by Dina Arsenault of Richmond, B.C.
4th Runner Up - "Tyson Lake" by Rob Davis of North Vancouver, B.C.
5th Runner Up - "Jesus Opens His Eyes" by Michael Gerrior of Stayner, ON
NEWS RELEASE - AWARDS CEREMONY SET FOR NOVEMBER 21, 2005
IFA has now confirmed that it will be holding its, First Annual Short Screenplay Competition Awards Ceremony at Churchill,s on the North Shore. Monday, November 21, 2005 from 7:30pm – 9:30pm. Walk the red carpet, have a drink, schmooze with Industry pros as we announce the winner to the 2005 Short Screenplay competition. Space is limited. Tickets available online or by calling 1-866-959-FILM.
Congratulations to all that submitted their scripts. Best of luck and we will see you at the ceremony.
Press Contact: Kim Naumann 604-983-5354
11.01.05 | NEW TRIAL IFA MEMBERSHIP ONLY $20.00. The entire month of November is Membership month here at the IFA. Get a trial 6 month IFA membership for only $20.00. Plus you can apply $10.00 of that $20.00 to any of our workshops.
Hurry,offer ends 11.30.05 | SUBSCRIBE NOW
For more information e-mail info@ifilmalliance.com or call an IFA representative 1-866-959-FILM
10.24.05 | THE VANCOUVER FILM SCENE IS HEATING UP WITH A RECORD NUMBER OF PRODUCTIONS BEING SHOT. Now is the time to learn everything you need about the film industry so you can be working in it instead of just sitting on the sidelines!
IFA UPCOMING VANCOUVER WORKSHOPS
- 11.23.05 - 7:00pm - 9:30pm
..How to make your own feature film | VIEW WORKSHOPS
- TBD - IFA Presents 1 day workshop on financing your ..Indie Film | VIEW WORKSHOPS
8.23.05 | IFA COCKTAIL PARTIES | VIEW PHOTOS
6.27.05 | URBAN RUSH
Andrew Van Slee appeared on Urban Rush to promote IFA. | WATCH NOW
6.13.05 | THE VANCOUVER SUN
From Indies To Hollywood - And Back | VIEW PDF ARTICLES
5.26.05 | GEORGIA STRAIGHT
Movie Notes - Spunky Inside Support | VIEW PDF ARTICLE
5.20.05 | NORTH SHORE NEWS
Filmmaker Builds Network | VIEW PDF ARTICLE
5.19.05 | 1ST SEMINAR DRAWS A STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD. It was a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon when most Vancouverites think of heading for the beach or taking off to take a last run on the ski slopes. Not the hardy local film-making enthusiast though. | MORE INFO |
