Series dates include: February 1, 8, 15, 22 and March 1

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10, 2017 — (PRNewswire) —  Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the LA Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA, announced the guest speakers and program today for the 16th annual Film Independent Directors Close-Up series, taking place on Wednesday nights from February 1 – March 1, 2017 at The Landmark. The Film Independent Directors Close-Up offers filmmakers and film lovers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the best independent directors and their collaborators, as they explore specific aspects of their craft.

Discussing their work across five separate panels will be directors Andrea Arnold (American Honey), Robert Eggers (The Witch), Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings), Pablo Larraín (Jackie), Issa Rae (Insecure) and Denis Villeneuve (Arrival). Additional participants to be announced.

Over the course of five consecutive weeks, filmmakers and film lovers will hear firsthand from these esteemed writers and directors whose originality, ingenuity and talent have set them apart as leaders in their craft. Each night will delve into specific aspects of developing and directing—writing, casting and eliciting compelling performances from actors are among the topics that will be covered.

"Each session of the Directors Close-Up is filled with insightful revelations about the creative process, " said Maria Raquel Bozzi, Film Independent's Senior Director of Education and International Initiatives. "Through the years, it's been great to see how even the directors participating discover new and surprising aspects of their work as they explore with their peers and collaborators."

This year the series will kick off on February 1 with director Barry Jenkins, casting director Yesi Ramirez and members of the Moonlight cast, winners of the Robert Altman Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, who will discuss the casting process and the director-actor collaboration. Other sessions include The Independent Spirit: A Directors Roundtable with Andrea Arnold, Robert Eggers, Pablo Larraín and other Film Independent Spirit Awards nominees, Directing Animation with Travis Knight and members of the creative team from Kubo and the Two Strings, Creating the Visual Language of a Film with Denis Villeneuve and Auteur TV with director Issa Rae and others to be announced.

Past panelists include Ben Affleck, Bill Condon, Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro, Julie Delpy, Lena Dunham, Ava DuVernay, David Fincher, William Friedkin, Dan Gilroy, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicole Holofcener, Spike Jonze, Kasi Lemmons, Richard Linklater, Tom McCarthy, Mike Mills, Jeff Nichols, Alexander Payne, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jason Reitman, Julian Schnabel, Justin Simien, Jill Soloway, Mike White, Benh Zeitlin, Sean Baker, Marielle Heller and many more.

The 2017 Film Independent Directors Close-Up is sponsored by Premier Sponsors the Directors Guild of America, Ovation, Landmark Theatres, and SAGindie.

All panels will take place at The Landmark (10850 West Pico Boulevard at Westwood Boulevard) on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm and will be followed by receptions. For more information on the schedule and to buy passes, click here or call 310.432.1213.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is the non-profit arts organization that champions creative independence in visual storytelling 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 professional, or a film lover.

Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Film Independent also produces the LA Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and Film Independent at LACMA, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.  

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's Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent's signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.

Contact: Alia Quart Khan, Film Independent
Tel: 310.432.1287 or Email Contact

Ryan Collins, Ginsberg/Libby
Tel: 323.645.6800 or Email Contact

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SOURCE Film Independent

Contact:

Film Independent Web: http://www.filmindependent.org