Art of Producing

Lisa Cortés talked with filmmakers, experienced and novice alike. As a producer who is known for her creativity in developing and producing highly successful projects, participants were privy to hearing about her personal experiences in the world of independent filmmaking.

Judith Helfand, co-founder of Working Films is well known for her work in advocacy and/or social issue documentary filmmaking. She is currently working with Philly-based filmmaker Bernadine Mellis on distributing The Forest For the Trees.

Doug Block, whose personal documentary film 51 Birch Street, is making its way around the festival circuit, talked about how filmmakers need to stop thinking of themselves as starving artists. Doug has pushed himself as an independent documentary filmmaker to both self-advocate and learned to promote his films on his own and by collaborating with marketing firms. He encouraged filmmakers to utilize email services like Groundspring or Constant Contact to stay in touch with fans, press, current and possible donors as well.