Sundance Institute

Lauded as a tremendous success by filmmakers, advisors, and supporters alike, the third annual Female Filmmakers Initiative Financing Intensive hosted by Sundance Institute and Women In Film Los Angeles helped demystify the independent film financing process while encouraging confidence and collaboration amongst over 125 filmmakers and dozens of industry advisors and panelists. Below, filmmaker attendees share their insightful reflections on the all-day convening.

So rarely do you actually get practical, specific and actionable advice that this was startling. Asking the super blunt questions and getting super blunt responses related to financing, which is the most mystery-shrouded part of filmmaking, was beyond helpful. And my fellow filmmakers were really inspirational.

I made great relationships, now know my worth and feel a part of this wave of strong women working in this business. I got a ton of valuable info and feel incredibly empowered. Loved it.

I thought this was a great idea and execution. I love the focus and depth within that focus, and also the facilitation of relationship building.

I left with a strong sense of re-thinking how one asks for money and the notion of inviting people to partner with you in some way on the films. It actually affected several interactions I had immediately following the workshop and for the better.

I got hope, inspiration and motivation. I feel that I have a much clearer vision of how to get my project completed. I made some great new contacts and renewed some old ones. All in all, it was an amazing day to be a part of and I am so thankful that I got to participate!

I can’t imagine how this event could be better. It was AMAZING. Bravo ladies! Thank you for making this happen. Everything, from the food, to the panelists, to the humor, to the attendees… it was all just… top notch.

This was a pitch perfect event. Only thought, it could be longer. We just got a taste. Imagine a whole weekend!

I think being included in these events changes your sense of what you’re capable of and the resources available to you. I like the challenge of expecting women to overcome these numbers, to break these statistics, and I think there was a great sense of that throughout the attendees.

The keynote speaker Ann Miura-Ko was outstanding in helping me understand the mindset of investors.

I got a lot of specific ways to move forward with my project. I connected with a lot of bad ass ladies. I took some solid, detailed info from other people’s experiences that I could relay to my producers and have already seen them put into play.

I learned that I’m not alone because I’m part of a talented, passionate, and hard working group of women.

Thanks for putting together a fantastic event yesterday. I can’t wait for the “CHANGE” to begin and for our contributions to add up to a “shift in perception”….that miracle.

Thanks for letting me become a citizen of this nation of imagination you’ve founded. It’s the only homeland I’ve ever felt patriotic about.