"The Movement in Progress through Independent Filmmaking"

Opening Night - Friday, October 17, 2008 -- 8:00 - 10:30 p.m.

UMFF 2008 Opening Night Reception and Film Screening - Appetizers, networking, entertainment, and opening night premieres. Location: Hilton Hotel - Atlanta Northeast, 5993 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., NW, Norcross, GA 30071. $20 [Register]

Saturday, October 18, 2008 Line-Up

FREE, All-Day Independent Film Screenings - 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. -- Holiday Inn Select and Hilton Hotel.

Workshops/Panels - 9:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. -- Holiday Inn Select [Register]

Breakthrough Screenwriting Workshop
Many journalist, authors and creative writers are making the transition to screenplay writing. But how do you get noticed as a screenwriter? How do you create your own career path as a screenwriter? In this intensive workshop instructed by award-winning screenplay writer, Craig T. Williams, you will learn how break through screenwriting barriers and become a successful screenwriter.

Craig's feature screenplays including: Soft Place to Fall, Cape of Good Hope (just optioned), Jimmie (Tracie Thoms of Cold Case attached to play lead), and Game Night (Vanessa Williams attached to play lead). Writer of over 20 short films, including the award-winning short Allergic to Nuts and Drawing Angel, Craig is most excited about the feature script Forty Third Street, which will go into production in 2009.

Craig began writing in 1999 and participated in a professional writer’s workshop at the School for Visual Arts. He honed his screenwriting skills with Robert McKee and David S. Freeman’s. Craig is a proud member of the East Coast Writers Collective. 1:30-3:00 p.m. -- $20 per person.

UMFF Intensive Actor's Audition Workshop
An audition is the difference between an actor getting a job or not -- period. Your goal as an actor is to do you very best, make a positive impression on the casting director, and landing the role. How can you build your confidence level for the audition room? What are the techniques used by the greatest actors to deliver a convincing audition? How can you discover that 'something' that makes you unique in the audition? Learning from one of Hollywoods' best actors and coaches – Rosalyn Coleman Williams – this extraordinary workshop will give you everything you will need to be prepared and ready to give your best performance on your next audition! [Limited space.] 9:00-11:00 a.m. -- $40 per person. Actors, don't miss this exceptional workshop.

For Producers: Independent Film/Television Financing, Production and Distribution Panel
From reality shows to feature films, a producer's role is to make it happen. There are many financing, production and distribution options available for producers of independent film and television projects. What are the new financing strategies for film and television projects? What are independent investors and distributors looking for in a project? How do you identify and approach investors and distributors? What should be your production strategy? This panel will discuss securing investors, fundraising, international co-production opportunities, product placement, self-distribution, Internet strategies, podcasting, direct to DVD (domestic and international), and video on demand (VOD). Panelists include Gabriel Hart, producer, director, editor, John Meindl, Consultant, Sports Branded Media, Miguel Gaetán, music composer, and Marvin Arrington, Jr., entertainment attorney. Moderated by Sylvia Jackson, Film Captive Productions -- 3:30-5:00 p.m. - $20

Documentaries: The Movement in Progress through Independent Filmmaking Panel
Media shapes the landscape of world views. Independent filmmaking has the ability to reach the masses and invoke thought, action and change. Documentary filmmaking is an art that brings issues normally not covered by media to the masses. This panel discussing documentary filmmaking — from pre-, production, and post. It is a call to action for independent filmmakers to continue using their talents to create social change through media through documentaries. Activists, filmmakers, and mediamakers will come together for an inspiring discussion in this open forum, with guest scholars, activists, and filmmakers including Suzan Satterfield and Allen S. Facemire, producers, Picture Window Productions, SaltRun Productions, Inc., and Franklin J. Anderson, African American Studies professor, University of Houston, Texas. Moderated by Michele Kirnon, grassroot educational consultant -- 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - $20

UMFF 2008 Writers Meetup
Come and meet the screenplay writers in competition during UMFF 2008 and network with other screenplay and book authors. FREE - 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 19, 2008 -- 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast and The Positive Media 2009 Strategy Discussion
To close out the 2008 festival and give thanks, join us for breakfast as we discuss "The Challenge: Producing Positive Media for the Future." We've experienced a phenomenal festival, but the call to action is for us to partner to produce conscious content pertinent to people of color. We have a Master plan and if you're part of the big picture, you'll be there with us! Holiday Inn Select [Register]