Join top industry professionals in conversation with IndieWire editors to learn more about what may be next for both emerging and established filmmakers in what we all know is one of the more shifting, uncertain landscapes for creatives in recent memory — maybe ever. 

Network with industry peers, exchange ideas, and spark inspiration throughout the summit. Featuring breakfast, lunch, and a cocktail reception, this is more than just a day of learning — it’s a chance to form meaningful connections that could shape the future of your next project.

Don’t miss your chance to join this forward-looking conversation and position yourself for success in the ever-changing world of entertainment!

Day Includes:

Complimentary Parking
Breakfast
Lunch
Cocktail Reception - Presented by NY Festivals
Networking Opportunities

Pricing:

Earlybird (through September 14): $99
Regular (through October 11): $125
Late (through October 16): $149

Why attend:

• Network with the Future of Filmmaking community 
• Experience the conversations that are shaping film and TV in real time 
• Essential for any creator who wants to understand how to impact their careers right now 

Keynote Conversation

Filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller from Project Hail Mary will break down how they made the most challenging movie in a career filled with difficult movies and offer lessons that other filmmakers can take away from their process. (read more here)

Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Directors and Producers, 'Project Hail Mary'

What No One Tells You About Directing Your First Feature

Bill Hader will join IndieWire for What No One Tells You About Directing Your First Feature, a one-on-one conversation where he’ll share insights about his filmmaking career and lessons that he learned from the upcoming film. (read more here) 

Bill Hader
Actor/Filmmaker

The Future of Microdrama: A Case Study of ‘Screen Time’

Two of HOORAE’s leaders who spearheaded the project, Head of Digital Dzifa Yador and Head of Television Jax Clark, will sit down with IndieWire for “The Future of Microdrama: A Case Study of ‘Screen Time,'” a panel designed to explain the business and storytelling principles that can turn a microdrama into a success. (read more here)

Jax Clark
Head of Television, HOORAE Media

Dzifa Yador
Head of Digital, HOORAE Media

IndieWire’s Inaugural Future of Filmmaking Award

Curry Barker will receive IndieWire’s Inaugural Future of Filmmaking Award at the Summit. Additionally, Barker will  share insights from his latest hit movie “Obsession” and his career-making year that followed its release. "Obsession” went on to gross over $500 million worldwide (the highest in Focus Feature's history), and became the sixth-highest-grossing horror film of all time and the most profitable original film of the 2020s. (read more here)

Curry Barker
Director, Writer, and Editor, 'Obsession'

Pitch Me: How to Find the Next Big Movie Breakout

Hollywood decision makers across representation, production, and distribution will join IndieWire Editor-in-Chief Brent Lang for a conversation on how they break down pitches, search for hits, and what they look for in special projects. (read more here)

Ayo Kepher-Maat
VP of Acquisitions and Productions, Independent Film Company

Erica Lee
President of Production and Partner, Thunder Road

Julien Levesque
Agent, Gersh

Rachel Shane
Head of Film and Television, Madison Wells

A Fireside Chat with the Producers of ‘Hunger Games’ and ‘Love Story’

Join powerhouse film producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson at IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking Summit and hear insights from a filmography that includes everything from “The Hunger Games” to “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette.” (read more here)

Nina Jacobson
Producer and Partner, Color Force

Brad Simpson
Producer and Partner, Color Force

'Buddy': Anatomy of a Breakout Hit

The team behind “Buddy” – writer Jamie King, producer Tracey Rosenblum, and Roadside Attractions’ head of digital marketing Melissa Yerou – share the details behind the summer’s sleeper horror hit. How did this darkly comic slasher film about a demented unicorn TV host defy the odds to scare up more than $26 million? Start with a killer story, add in an ingenious marketing campaign, and the result is one of the most successful films in Roadside’s history. 

Jamie King
Writer, 'Buddy'

Tracey Rosenblum
Producer, 'Buddy'

Melissa Yerou
Head of Digital Marketing, Roadside Attractions

"Buddy" is a Roadside Attractions and Saban Release

AT&T Untold Stories

With David Fortune, 2023 AT&T Untold Stories Winning Filmmaker.

David Fortune
Filmmaker, 'Color Book'

Curry Barker
Director, Writer, and Editor, Obsession

Jax Clark
Head of Television, HOORAE Media

David Fortune
Filmmaker, Color Book

Bill Hader
Actor/Filmmaker

Nina Jacobson
Producer and Partner, Color Force

Ayo Kepher-Maat
VP of Acquisitions and Productions, Independent Film Company

Jamie King
Writer, Buddy

Erica Lee
President of Production and Partner, Thunder Road

Julien Levesque
Agent, Gersh

Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Directors and Producers, Project Hail Mary

Tracey Rosenblum
Producer, Buddy

Rachel Shane
Head of Film and Television, Madison Wells

Brad Simpson
Producer and Partner, Color Force

Dzifa Yador
Head of Digital, HOORAE Media

Melissa Yerou
Head of Digital Marketing, Roadside Attractions

Past attendees had this to say:

“The members of each panel were fantastic. I really appreciated the variety of the panels and what every individual shared. The information was valuable and inspiring. I would also like to add that the 3 hosts were phenomenal. Excellent event!!”

“I was blown away at how in-depth and insightful the panels were. It was enlightening and truly inspiring!”

“It was a really inspiring day. I learned a lot about a variety of subjects that gave me more confidence in moving forward on this career path. Also meeting other filmmakers was such a win :)”

Click here to view the 2024 program!