Film Independent Announces Directors Close-Up

Film Independent, announced the lineup for the ninth annual Directors Close-Up: Conversations on the Art of Filmmaking, formerly known as the Director Series. Series panelists this year include Elliot Davis (cinematographer, "Twilight," "Lords of Dogtown"), Rodrigo Garcia ("In Treatment," "Nine Lives"), Lance Hammer ("Ballast"), Catherine Hardwicke ("Twilight," "Lords of Dogtown"), Oscar nominee Courtney Hunt ("Frozen River"), Jonathan Levine ("The Wackness"), Nancy Richardson (editor, "Twilight," "Lords of Dogtown"), Howard Rodman (screenwriter, "Savage Grace"), with additional names to be announced. The events will be held February 4 - March 11, 2009 at The Landmark - West Los Angeles.

The panels will cover the following topics: February 4th - Music and Sound Design; February 11th - The Director's Vision and the Creative Team; February 18th - The Independent Spirit: A Directors Roundtable - 2009 Spirit Award nominees; February 25th - Writing and Directing; March 4th - Casting and Directing Actors

"The Directors Close-Up series is a rare opportunity for both filmmakers and film lovers to learn about filmmaking first-hand from some of our most prominent independent directors and their collaborators," said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent in a statement. "In addition to writers, directors, and producers, those who are simply passionate about film can also be inspired by hearing our diverse group of panelists talk in depth about their craft."