‘Pitch Your Project: Why Producers Now Expect More’ Panel Will Give Tips on How to Get Your Film Off the Ground

“Show, don’t tell” is always great advice to filmmakers, but it usually refers to just what’s onscreen. It’s good advice for filmmakers during the pitching stage as well, as producers are looking for ever more details about the projects they’ll be investing in. Visualizing your film or TV project as much as you can in advance, giving as close an approximation as possible to what will be onscreen, has never been more important. And IndieWire has you covered with our “Pitch Your Project: Why Producers Now Expect More” panel at the Future of Filmmaking Summit in Los Angeles November 2.

Purchase Early Bird Discount Tickets for the Future of Filmmaking Summit

You’ll get a free six-month subscription to Canva with your ticket. Canva has quickly become the premier design software to use for creating concept art, posters, and social media graphics for film and TV projects. Reby Silverman, Global Brand Partnerships Lead for Canva, will walk you through what you can do with this essential tool for pitching your work.

Several top film and TV creators will be joining us to talk through how they think the pitching process has changed, and what you need to know for your project to stand out: Jeremie Cander, writer/director of “RSVP”; Jonas Agin, executive producer with an overall deal at the Walt Disney Company; Nick Moceri, producer and founder of All Night Diner; and Greg Barker, narrative and documentary director of films such as 2020’s “Sergio.”

Network with industry peers, exchange ideas, and spark inspiration throughout the summit. With a premium breakfast, lunch, and cocktail reception included, 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.   

Buy Your Early Bird Discount Tickets Here

Panels will include:  

Keynote Chat: Sean Baker

Award-winning auteur Sean Baker will deliver our Future of Filmmaking Summit’s keynote chat. Baker, who recently took home the Palme d’Or at Cannes for his celebrated film “Anora,” a strong contender this awards season, will share his advice to summit attendees and his thoughts about the future of the industry.

Filming Outside Hollywood: Challenges, Opportunities, and Passports  

Runaway production has been atomized as states and countries compete to offer producers the hottest deals. Join Paul Audley, President of FilmLA, producer and 1Community CEO Scott Budnick, Entertainment Partners’ Sarah Westman-Liu, and an IndieWire editor, as they discuss what that means for the rest of us. 

How to Get Your Film Seen: New Takes on Audience, Funding, and Buyers

This one has it all: Exclusive research, real numbers, and the unexpected opportunities in theaters and at home for filmmakers who have found a world beyond the competitive festival circuit. Keri Putnam (former Sundance Institute CEO) and Brian Newman (founder of Sub-Genre) will share intel on emerging strategies and success stories, providing key insights into how filmmakers can thrive in today’s ever-changing distribution landscape. 

From Indie Films to Pixar: A Career Case Study with Mike Jones

Join us as we explore the unique career of Mike Jones, tracing his early days in the indie film scene to his transition into a full-time role at Pixar. As creator of Pixar’s upcoming series “Dream Productions” and writer on some of the studio’s most acclaimed films, including “Luca” and “Soul”, hear about the Pixar process and how Jones’ background in independent film help inform his current approach as a storyteller. For anyone looking to make their mark in both independent and mainstream cinema, this panel is for you.

Pitching Your Project: Why Producers Now Expect More 

Reby Silverman, Senior Manager, Global Partnerships at Canva will take the stage alongside emerging and established filmmakers to showcase how Canva’s platform is transforming the way filmmakers pitch their ideas. Learn directly from the pros and get insider tips to craft a pitch deck that stands out in today’s competitive industry!

How Filmmakers Are — and Aren’t — Using AI   

Every day brings another AI announcement, but our panel will look beyond the money, the controversy, and the hype to discuss the ideas and products most likely to be meaningful for you. AI guru Dave Clark and Erik Weaver, Director of Adaptive Production at ETC, will unpack this hot topic, exploring how AI tools are already reshaping the creative process, from scriptwriting to post-production, and what the future holds for filmmakers looking to leverage this technology in practical and innovative ways. 

The Future of Film Is Interactive

A panel with the heads of KINO — Austin Worrell, Brit MacRae, and Daril Fannin — who will discuss their company’s cutting-edge technology, which offers filmmakers an interactive social streaming platform that provides invaluable data insights and a strategic launchpad to connect with their audience. Moderated by IndieWire’s SVP and Editor-in-Chief, Dana Harris-Bridson.

Award Season Stories – Disney: “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”
Discover how “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” uses performance capture to bring complex, emotionally rich characters to life. This panel features the film’s creative team and actors, sharing insights on how cutting-edge technology and powerful performances drive the storytelling in this awards season contender.

Wes Ball
Director
Erik Winquist
Visual Effects Supervisor
Kevin Durand
Actor