IFP Announces Ten Projects For Second Annual Screen Forward Lab
Yesterday, the Independent Filmmaker Project announced the projects selected for the second annual Screen Forward Lab, an intensive program dedicated to building up the work of innovative, ambitious creators with story-driven serialized projects. These creators work in a variety of different platforms, including television, animation, and virtual reality. According to IFP, 80% of the creators are women and/or diverse voices, and 30% of them feature predominantly African-American and Latino casts. The program runs from April 18-22 at the Made in NY Media Center By IFP located in DUMBO, Brooklyn.
Inspired by IFP’s Filmmaker Labs that help directors “complete, market, and introduce audiences to cutting edge first-features,” the Screen Forward Lab provides $10,000 worth of services and support for an entire year to help its creators reach their projects’ full potential. The Labs also provides participants with necessary knowledge and mentor support to develop pitches and secure financing so that their work can achieve the best distribution. According to Joana Vicente, the executive director at IFP, “IFP remains a place for independent film, but it’s evolving to becoming a place where digital and tech, old school and new school, web series and indie film all coalesce.”
The Screen Forward Lab will culminate at the IFP Film Week 2016 when all projects will be presented and pitched to investors, distributors, network executives, and tech companies. In addition, all creative teams will receive a free six-month residency at the Made in NY Media Center By IFP.
Below is the full list of fellows and their respective projects:
“The
Animated Mind of Oliver Sacks: A Project in Three Parts” (Animated
Documentary & Virtual Reality) A series of short documentaries that
illuminates ten years of extraordinary conversations with author/neurologist
Oliver Sacks, M.D. Dempsey Rice
(Creator/Director/Producer), Kate Edgar (Executive Producer), Joanne
Nerenberg (Co-Producer)
“Breeding
Grounds” (Dark Comedy) A darkly comedic series set in
an economically diverse suburb and focused on collection of mothers of
different races, classes, ages and cultures colliding with each other as they
attempt to raise their kids. Susan Skoog (Creator/Director), Ben Wolf
(Cinematographer)
“The
Come Up” (Comedy) Three old friends explore the dicey
terrain of open relationships. Ben Snyder (Creator/Director/Writer), Ari
Issler (Creator/Director/Writer), Matt Thurm (Producer)
“The God
Phone” (Sci-fi Horror Thriller) A
down-and-out infomercial pitchman accidentally discovers the ultimate
As-Seen-on-TV device. Shot all on 35mm
Panavision film. Dean Colin Marcial (Creator/Director/Editor/Writer), Brett
Potter (Producer), Grant Curatola (Producer)
“In Reality”
(Romantic Comedy) Ann, an average
brunette with a wild imagination, takes you on a journey through her fantastic
mind as she investigates an experience of unrequited love. Ann Lupo (Creator/Director/Editor/Producer/Writer), Holly Meehl (Producer), Aaron Pryka (Producer/Writer)
“Jealous Dad”
(Comedy) When actor Mark Shea’s
7-year-old son unwittingly books a national commercial at one of Mark’s
auditions, Mark’s jealousy gets the better of him and he resorts to desperate
measures. Matt Evans (Creator/Director/Writer),
William Scurry
(Creator/Director/Editor)
“Kissing
Walls” (LGBTQ Comedy) A comedy that explores work,
sex, and friendship between queer 20-somethings living in Chicago. Zak Payne
(Creator/Director), Nathaniel Tenenbaum, (Lead Actor)
“Newtopia” (Sci-fi
Drama) Olivia ventures through a virtual reality searching for a missing
boy. Taylor Cohan (Creator/Director/Producer/Writer), Matt Clegg
(Producer, DP), Max Allman (Producer)
“Stream No Evil”
(Horror) A horror miniseries, shot
all on iPhone, about a millennial who is stalked by a creature only visible
through his iPhone. Scott Schuler
(Creator/Director), Katherine Paige (Producer),
Caroline Broughton (Writer)
“The Times”
(Drama) When a marginalized youth
steals a gun from a police officer, it sets off a series of events that quickly
spirals out of control. Matthew Charof
(Director), Sebastian Rea
(Creator/Director/Editor/Producer/Writer), Courtney
Baxter (Producer); Paula Weinstein (Executive Producer)
READ MORE: IFP Announces Inaugural Screen Forward Labs Projects
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