FilmNorth Forum
The FilmNorth Forum is the premier gathering for independent filmmakers in the Midwest and provides a unique opportunity for local filmmakers to learn from and meet industry leaders and innovators.
Past Forum guests include Oscar®-winning documentarians Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice); Sundance Film Festival Director John Cooper; producers Effie T. Brown (Dear White People), Mynette Louie (I Carry You With Me), Christine Vachon (Carol) and Christine Walker (Howl); directors Justin Simien (Dear White People), Musa Syeed (A Stray), and Samantha Buck and Marie Schlingmann (Sister Aimee); Emmy-nominated screenwriter Michael Starrbury (When They See Us) and industry experts from a wide variety of companies including SAGindie, The Exchange, ICM Partners, Cinereach, Sundance Institute, Tribeca Film Festival, and more.
FilmNorth launched the Forum in 2000 in partnership with Minneapolis Community and Technical College to encourage and support the creation of independent films outside of Los Angeles and New York City, something we’ve always believed is vital to the future of independent American cinema. Because our mission to develop and maintain film activity in the Midwest requires ongoing education from and interaction with the greater film industry, FilmNorth continues to invite top independent film directors, producers, and industry professionals to share their knowledge, vision, experiences, advice, and encouragement with our film community.