IFP's 2009 Independent Film Conference

IFP's annual Independent Film Conference, one of the year's major networking events for independent documentary and narrative feature filmmakers, takes place in New York from September19 -23, 2009. The five-day schedule is designed to give emerging and established filmmakers the opportunity to meet with industry executives, potential financiers and each other -- all with the goal of making their fledgling projects viable.

This year, panel discussions cover practical essentials such as the use of new technologies, finding alternative venues, strategies for finding financing, navigating the festivals circuit, building community support and alternative means of distribution, among others. There are also Q&A opportunities with Mira Nair, Peter Saraf and other well-established filmmakers, as well as case studies in which the development of a finished film is discussed from start to finish and screening sessions for films that are still in production.

The bustling and highly productive conference is designed to meet the needs of professional filmmakers, and some 2,000 participate. But registration for the entire program or specific events is also open to the film-loving public who want to get an advance view of independent films that are in the pipeline and are eager to connect with members of the world's independent film community.