The terrain of independent film has experienced seismic shifts over the past few decades, shaking filmmakers’ grasp on stability and sustainable business practices, while revealing new opportunities between the cracks for those savvy enough to see them. Veteran indie film producers Ted Hope and Christine Vachon, who helped catapult the American independent film movement in the early 90's and earned numerous Sundance Grand Jury Prizes, Critics’ prizes at Cannes, Emmy Awards, and Oscar nominations since then, now share their their tale of survival and thrive(-al?) in a Masterclass presented by IFP and indieWIRE. The event will be held at the Cantor Film Center (36 East 8th Street, New York, NY) on Saturday, November 5, from 10am until 4pm.

While they have produced over 100 films and nurtured many young directors, including Todd Haynes, Ang Lee, Rose Troche, Mary Harron, Michel Gondry, and this year’s Sundance Directing Prize-winner, Sean Durkin, Hope and Vachon are no strangers to translating their unique industry expertise to practical applications in an academic setting. Both teach in New York University’s prestigious graduate film program and write extensively on the state of cinema — Vachon is the author of two Los Angeles Times bestsellers on the subject (A Killer Life and Shooting to Kill), and Hope is the only active filmmaker with a daily column in one of the film industry’s major trade publications, indieWIRE. After selling out masterclasses in the UK and Scandinavia, the seasoned duo is returning stateside to share "how to get your movie made, how to make it well and make it great, how to get it seen, and how to survive to do it all over again. And again. And again. And again."



“Traveling the world with Christine discussing the future of film has been a great experience — we’ve gotten to meet and talk to the folks who will be making the good work and leading the industry in the future,” says Hope, whose conviction in the endeavor is seconded by Vachon: "we’ve learned so much from the participants and the response has been particularly gratifying — even if the sound of Ted’s voice can be grating."

In our rapidly evolving ecosystem of cinema, knowledge and experience are vital tools, and Hope and Vachon will strengthen attendees' understanding of the mechanics of filmmaking with such deeper and more sustainable insight.

Click here to buy tickets to the event.