Top local, L.A. experts at
IFP indie film conference

Two independent movies will have their Chicago premiere at IFP/Chicago’s 12th annual Independent Filmmakers Conference Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at the School of the Art Institute.

Two indie features will be screened over the weekend. The Oct. 31 opening night film will be the locally-made “Uncle Nino,” with Joe Mantenga and Ann Archer. Producer David James and director Bob Shallcross will discuss its production on Saturday.

The second feature on Sunday at 7 p.m. will be the highly acclaimed “21 Grams,” starring Sean Penn and Benicio Del Toro, and directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.

Karen Friedberg’s “The King of Tango,” the short film winner of the IFP/Chicago’s 2003 Production Fund, precedes “Uncle Nino.”

Workshops and breakout sessions on how to fund, make and distribute indie films fill Saturday, topped by the Flyover Zone Short Film Festival.

Among the panelists will be Mark Damon, CEO/chairman of L.A.-based MDP, a production, distribution and financing company, L.A.; attorney and author Harris Tulchin of L.A. and Bob Berney, president of New Market Films of New York.

Kartemquin’s Gordon Quinn, attorney Bob Labate, producer/director Steve James of “Hoop Dreams” and “Steve” fame, producer John Digles of Traveler Jones Productions and distribution consultant Mark Horowitz are among the local speakers.

Saturday, Nov. 1 registration opens at 8:30 a.m. Panels will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and workshops begin at 2:15 on writing, directing, budgeting and financing, in the School’s classrooms at 112 S. Michigan. The School of the Art Institute Auditorium is at 280 S. Columbus Dr.

The opening night party will be held at Heaven on Seven, 111 N. Wabash and the Saturday Flyover Zone reception takes place at the Cliff Dwellers, 200 S. Michigan.

Cost is $50 for IFP members, $150 for non-members. Single event tickets available. Go to www.ifp.org or call 733/244-1610 to register.