Posted by Larry Gleeson
Saturday, June 17
10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., AFI DOCS Festival Hub at the District Architecture Center (DAC), 421 7th St. NW in Washington, DC.
3:00 p.m. Special VR Program at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW in Washington, DC.
Day Three of the AFI DOCS Forum includes panels on making and distributing short docs on a speedy timeline; VR Exhibition to view the best and latest in virtual reality; and a special VR program at the Newseum on how VR emerged as a powerful storytelling platform in documentary filmmaking.
The Forum will present a variety of networking and professional development events for filmmakers, industry professionals and those with a passion for nonfiction storytelling. Open to all AFI DOCS passholders, each day of the Forum will include breakfast and lunch.
Today’s full schedule is as follows:
9:30 a.m.
Morning Refreshments
10:00 a.m.
Short Order: Making and Distributing Rapid Response Short Docs
Short doesn’t always mean fast in documentary filmmaking, but there are major advantages to making and distributing short docs on a speedy timeline. This panel of makers and funders addresses a faster approach to shorts, outlines available opportunities for support and explores key partnerships vital to working in this mode.
Moderator:
- Loira Limbal, Vice President, Firelight Media
Panelists:
- Gaspar Gonzalez, Director, HAVANA HOUSE
- Brandon Kramer, Director THE MESSY TRUTH
- Kate McLean, Director GUT HACK, Producer BILL NYE: SCIENCE GUY
- Laura Poitras, Co-Creator & Executive Producer, Field of Vision; Director RISK
11:30 a.m.
VR Exhibition
View a curated selection of the latest and best in virtual reality (VR).
1:00 p.m.
In With the New: The Latest Trends in Documentary Distribution
Staying current with the latest distribution trends is critical to filmmakers’ success in reaching audiences and generating revenue. This panel of industry experts and new players in the distribution space examines the current state of documentary distribution and explains the evolving relationship between theatrical, broadcast and online platforms.
Moderator:
- Andrea Meditch, Executive Producer, THE CAGE FIGHTER
Panelists:
- Dan O’Meara, Vice President, Special Projects & Documentary, NEON
- Michael Tuckman, Founder, mTuckman Media
- Debra Zimmerman, Executive Director, Women Make Movies
SPECIAL VR PROGRAM AT THE NEWSEUM
Open to all AFI DOCS Passholders
Use the Newseum’s C Street Entrance at the back of the building.
3:00 p.m.
VR EXHIBITION
4:30 p.m.
Virtual No More: How VR Is Having Real-World Impact
Hosted by the Newseum at the Knight TV Studio, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001.
With lightning speed, VR has emerged as a viable storytelling platform and a major force in documentary. Driving VR’s rise is its huge promise for building stronger empathy in audiences and connecting people to powerful, real-world stories and social issues. This panel will explore how filmmakers and organizations are using VR to change hearts and minds.
Moderator: Mitch Gelman, Chief Technology Officer, Newseum
Panelists:
- Cassandra Herrman, Lead Artist AFTER SOLITARY
- Hunter Holcombe, Executive Producer, AJ+
- Imraan Ismail, Lead Artist NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC’S THE PROTECTORS: WALK IN THE RANGER’S SHOES
- Lauren Mucciolo, Lead Artist, AFTER SOLITARY
- Jennifer Shoemaker, Senior Director of Visual Storytelling, Conservation International
(Source: afi.com)
