I’m checking out of my hotel in Toronto as I write this, so I’ll be brief. It’s too early for the TIFF '11 postmortems, but it’s been a low-key festival with a lot to like, and for some acquisitions folks, maybe not a lot to love. The so-called independent film buying spree that launched at Sundance has slowed, with only a few pick-ups so far here. A Variety article early in the fest pointed a finger at the macro economy, quoting industry players worried about “uncertainty” and weak demand. Others have simply told me they’re still trying to assess the theatrical potential of the top films. If there’s one film that has galvanized the fest, it’s Steve McQueen’s Shame, which Fox Searchlight picked up. I missed it -- it was the only press screening I was shut out of. But everyone I know is talking about it.

For our Toronto coverage, visit our special section on the website. We’ve got almost 20 interviews with directors, special reports, and, as soon as I get home, some video and director portrait galleries. And if you’re coming to the IFP’s Independent Film Week, stop by the panel I’m doing with Ted Hope and Mynette Louie on Sunday afternoon. “Independent Film: Is it a Hobby or a Business?” is the topic. I have a lot to say here, but I’m sure you do too. So, if you’d like me to bring up some specific points, email me at editor.filmmakermagazine AT gmail.com.

See you next week.

Best,
Scott Macaulay
Editor

The week is finally here! For the 33rd time Independent Film Week (Sept. 18-22) will bring the international filmmaking community to New York City to celebrate, advocate for and introduce projects by both veteran filmmakers and new voices on the independent scene. In many ways the week is largely a film industry event – presenting 145 new projects to the industry in the Project Forum while also holding other invitation-only mentorship programs and workshops - such as marketing sessions for IFP’s 2011 Independent Filmmaker Lab fellows; the Trans-Atlantic Partners Program - a year-long exchange program focusing on the strengthening of skills of 25 European, Canadian and American Producers - produced with the Erich Pommer Institute (Europe) and Strategic Partners (Canada); and the Festival Forum, a think tank for festival heads and programmers, and Producers’ Forum, where producers from around the country can meet to discuss common issues (both presented in partnership with the Sundance Film Festival). But the general public and IFP members can participate in several key ways in the next week. Free and open to all (though limited to the first 300) is the Opening Night screening on Monday September 19th at Tavern on the Green in Central Park of Kinyarwada, directed and written by Alrick Brown, an alumnus of IFP’s 2010 Narrative Lab and one of Filmmaker’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. The film premiered in the World Cinema Competition at Sundance 2011 and is being distributed by AFFRM. And on Tuesday September 20th the annual showcase of excerpts from the 2011 Independent Filmmaker Lab projects will be held at the new The Lot at The High Line. Both the Kinyarwanda and Lab Showcase screenings are presented with Rooftop Films. And of course, the Independent Filmmaker Conference presents up to date info and dynamic conversations on ever-changing independent landscape. Less than 20 passes are available for most days and some passes are sold out, so act quickly! More details on the Conference and screening events here.

Our Forums page is new and improved! Check out the new categories: how to make films, discuss the current trends in the business, job opportunities and look out for guest filmmaker moderators. Click here to get started.
Top Discussions
Film Calendar, DIY Distribution, Current Cinema