9:00 – 10:00am Networking Breakfast

Location AMC NEWCITY 14, 1500 N Clybourn Ave | Map It >
Supported By

10:00 – 11:00am Story to Screen: Crafting Documentary Narratives in Real Time

Crafting a compelling documentary story presents unique challenges, particularly when the narrative is unfolding in real time. How do you shape a cohesive narrative when every stage— from treatment to outline, script to shooting schedule—must adapt to ever-changing circumstances? Perhaps the most crucial phase of this process happens in the editing room, where the story often undergoes significant transformation. We’ll dive deep into the art of documentary storytelling, exploring how nonfiction filmmakers reshape their stories during shooting and post-production to respond to the unpredictable realities of life. Come with questions about your own doc stories!

Speakers Kevin Shaw (Let the Little Light Shine), Max Kestner (Life and Other Problems), Kyle Henry (Time Passages), Jota Mun (Between Goodbyes)
Location AMC NEWCITY 14, 1500 N Clybourn Ave | Map It >

11:15am – 12:15am Producing Impact: How to Connect with Audiences and Create Change with Your Doc

As conventional documentary distribution declines, with fewer slots at distribution companies, streamers, and broadcasters, how do documentary filmmakers get their work into the world and create an impact? Impact producing is becoming an ever increasingly significant way to get your film seen and supported. What does it mean and how do you get started? Can you make an impact with any film, and will this approach enable you to reach a larger and more significant audience? Ask questions to experts about how impact producing works and the meaningful role it plays in self-distribution.

Speakers Ines Sommer (Northwestern University), Naomi Walker (Global Impact Producers Alliance), Alice Quinlan (Red Owl), Ashley O’Shay (Unapologetic), Fenell Doremus (Producer)
Location AMC NEWCITY 14, 1500 N Clybourn Ave | Map It >

12:45 – 2:00pm Keynote Conversation and Screening: Cinematic Storytelling with Director David Lowery (The Green Knight, Pete’s Dragon)

Join a moderated conversation with David Lowery, the acclaimed filmmaker (The Green Knight, Pete’s Dragon, A Ghost Story) whose diverse filmography spans a wide range of genres, characterized by his singular sense of heightened naturalism. Lowery will also screen and discuss his latest project, An Almost Christmas Story, a Disney+ animated short meant to evoke cardboard art, and the latest entry in producer Alfonso Cuarón’s series following award-winners Le Pupille and The Shepherd. Lowery is currently in post-production on A24’s highly anticipated epic pop melodrama Mother Mary, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel.

Location AMC NEWCITY 14, 1500 N Clybourn Ave | Map It >
Presented by

2:30 – 3:30pm Accessibility and Inclusivity: Building Audiences and a Better Industry

From on-the-set to post-production to distribution, creators can do more to make their work accessible and inclusive. By focusing on better approaches to inclusivity and the well-being of cast and crew on the set, as well as incorporating the best accessibility tools in post-production such as captioning, filmmakers can better cultivate their own communities while also reaching larger and more diverse audiences. This gathering of experts will help guide you on learning the methods and best practices to create equitable, accessible, and inclusive productions, and in so doing, avoid burnout, exploitation, and build a better, broader industry in the process.

Speakers Cassidy Dimon (FWD-Doc), Reveca Torres (BACKBONES), Kameelah Mu’Min Oseguera, PsyD (Founding ED, Muslim Wellness Foundation), Sarah Oberholtzer (Filmmaker)
Location Filmmakers’ Lounge @ AMC NEWCITY, 1500 N Clybourn Ave, 2nd Floor | Map It >

4:00 – 5:00pm Sustaining Change: How to Keep DEI Alive in the Entertainment Industry

Over the last decade, the entertainment industry has tried to reckon in significant ways with its lack of diversity: DEI initiatives were announced; development programs were introduced to support historically marginalized creators; and the rise of streaming helped expand the opportunities for everyone. But have political pressures and economic belt-tightening reversed the trend toward inclusion? Discuss with experts and insiders on the current state and future of DEI programs, and how we can all work together to push for positive change.

Speakers Darrien Michele Gipson (SAGindie), Nina Yang Bongiovi (Significant Productions), Brenda Robinson (Board Chair, Film Independent), David Fortune (Color Book)
Location AMC NEWCITY 14, 1500 N Clybourn Ave | Map It >
Presented by

5:00 – 6:30pm Industry Days Mixer

Location Filmmakers’ Lounge @ AMC NEWCITY, 1500 N Clybourn Ave, 2nd Floor | Map It >
Co-hosted by

9:00 – 10:00am Networking Breakfast

Location AMC NEWCITY 14, 1500 N Clybourn Ave | Map It >
Hosted by
Supported By