Today Film Independent announced the 10 projects selected for the 14th annual Fast Track film finance market, which takes place during the LA Film Festival (ongoing).
During the 3-day intensive Fast Track initiative, producer-director teams meet with top industry executives – financiers, agents, managers, distributors, granting organizations, and production companies – and gain valuable exposure, as well as build vital relationships as they fast-track their films towards completion.
“We look forward to connecting this wonderful group of filmmakers with our participating industry executives at the 2016 LA Film Festival,” said Jennifer Kushner, Film Independent’s Director of Artist Development. “Fast Track provides an extraordinary opportunity for independent producers and directors to gain critical support for their feature films, and for high level executives to discover some of the outstanding and diverse talent that Film Independent curates and develops through our Artist Development programs.”
At the annual Film Independent Fast Track Welcome Dinner, Film Independent presented the eighth annual Alfred P. Sloan Fast Track Grant to writer/director/producer Mark Levinson for his fiction feature film in development, “The Gold Bug Variations.” The Sloan Grant is a $20,000 production grant to support a film that explores science and technology themes or that depicts scientists, engineers and mathematicians in engaging and innovative ways.
The following filmmakers have been selected to participate Film Independent’s 2016 Fast Track program; of note, with respect to this blog’s interests, is Nijla Mu’min (readers of this blog will recognize her name, as she’s contributed countless articles to it over the years). Nijla’s project is titled “Jinn” with Avril Speaks serving as producer.
Another name you’d recognize is Reinaldo Marcus Green who is producer on writer/director Mark F. Kindred’s “Rogue.”
Also of interest i the documentary “United Skates,” from directors/producers Tina Brown and Dyana Winkler.
Find the full list of projects (including descriptions of each) and fellows below:
A Woman’s Work, Yu Gu – director/producer, Elizabeth Ai – producer
Football and feminism collide in this feature documentary that follows three former NFL cheerleaders and their class-action lawsuits brought against their teams.
All That We Love, Yen Tan – writer/director, Jonathan Duffy and Kelly Williams – producers
The death of a beloved pet compels a wistful middle-aged man to examine what he’s holding onto from his past.
College Girl, Joshua Tate – writer/director/producer, Maritte Go – producer
While attending a postsecondary program for adults with intellectual disabilities, a young woman with Down syndrome questions her place in the world in the face of impending motherhood.
Falcon Lake, Sara Seligman – writer/director, Anne Clements – producer
Ester and her mother run a motel where they drug their guests and murder them for their money. Two drug runners arrive and hold them hostage, not realizing the women’s dark secret.
Jinn, Nijla Mu’min – writer/director, Avril Speaks –producer
A shape-shifting, pepperoni-loving, black teenage Instagram celebrity converts to Islam. Here’s what happens.
Rogue, Mark F. Kindred – writer/director, Reinaldo Marcus Green – producer
An ex-cop gone rogue wages ‘asymmetric and unconventional’ warfare on the police force that fired him, resulting in the biggest manhunt in LAPD history. Inspired by true events.
The Gold Bug Variations, Mark Levinson – writer/director/producer
A double helix of two love stories that spirals across twenty-five years and the mystery of the disappearance of a brilliant scientist on the verge of understanding the code for life who is derailed by music and the search for the code for love.
United Skates, Tina Brown and Dyana Winkler – directors/producers
United Skates follows an underground subculture growing inside our country’s last standing roller rinks. Through the eyes of two unassuming leaders, Reggie and Phelicia, they battle in a racially charged environment, to save a movement still undiscovered by mainstream America.
Waiting for Kate (female is not a category), Amy Goldstein – writer/director, Anouchka van Riel – producer
Waiting For Kate (female is not a category) tells the story of endearingly flawed, fiercely girl-powered singer/songwriter Kate Nash. After a Platinum album, Nash defies the silo-like boundaries of the music industry and inspires millions of young women to blaze their own trails, while tensions between her outward self and her inner turmoil are pushed to breaking point.
You and Me Both, Jennifer Suhr – writer/director, Carolyn Mao – producer
Upon the death of their adoptive mother, two Korean American sisters, estranged by the older one’s drug addiction, set out on a road trip to find their birth mother.
