Navigating the festival circuit can be challenging, but with a cool head and a strategic plan, you can maximize your film's visibility, make amazing connections and drive your filmmaking career forward. A group of programmers from top US festivals will provide candid insights into the programming process, deciding which festivals are best for your project, and making sure you make the most of your festival experience.
Participants
Sarah Harris | Dallas Intl FF, Denver FF, SIFF | Senior Programmer
Sarah Harris has been a documentary and shorts programmer for film festivals for over ten years. She is the Senior Programmer for the Dallas Film Society, host of the Dallas International Film Festival, where she has programmed since its inception in 2006. Harris also serves as the Shorts Curator for the Denver Film Festival, a Programming Associate for the Sundance Film Festival, Programmer for the Seattle International Film Festival and is on the nomination committee for Cinema Eye Honors, which awards exemplary craft and innovation in nonfiction film. Her previous work includes programming and managing industry relations at AFI FEST, aiding in the curation of Vimeo's On Demand channel and consulting on the creation of the Hobnobben Film Festival in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After spending much of her life in the South, she currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband.
Adam Piron | Sundance Institute | Programmer, Short Films
Adam Piron is a member of the short film programming team for the Sundance Film Festival. He has also programmed films for Film Independent's LA Film Festival and AFI Fest. In addition to these roles, he is currently a Manager of the Sundance Institute's Native American and Indigenous Film Program. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts and California College of the Arts.
Amanda Salazar | San Francisco Intl Film Festival | Programmer
Amanda Salazar is a Programmer with the San Francisco International Film Festival. She is also the co-Director of the Camera Obscura Film Society, a curated film event in Petaluma, CA. Previously, she was the Vice President of Film Acquisitions at Fandor and Program Director of the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Paul Sloop | Cleveland Intl Film Festival | Short Films Programming Manager
Paul Sloop has led the selection of short films for the Oscar Qualifying Cleveland International Film Festival since 2003. His passionate advocacy for short films at the CIFF has allowed him to grow the short films from 13 programs and 92 films in 2004 to 30 programs and 216 shorts at the 41st CIFF in 2017. Paul lives in Mentor, OH with his wife of 16 years and their 6 daughters.
Event Details
| Date: Jun 24 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. |
Moderator
Peter Debruge | Variety | Film Critic