The DGA recently hosted orientation events for filmmakers with projects accepted into the Film & TV Festival program of the 2023 SXSW, a nine-day event that runs concurrently with the SXSW Conference, Music and Comedy Festivals in Austin, TX.
At the February 23 orientation in the DGA’s New York Theater, Independent Directors Committee (IDC) East Chair Mary Harron (Daliland) spoke to the attendees about her experiences with the generous and engaged community of DGA members, the ways to get involved and be active at the Guild, and the supportive staff who provide assistance to Directors throughout their creative process; SXSW Film Festival VP of Film & TV, Claudette Godfrey and Senior Film & TV Festival Programming Manager + Lead Shorts Programmer, Francis Román gave festival survival tips; and DGA Assistant Executive Director Mary Hatch explained how the Guild works with independent filmmakers and the protections, support, and community that come with being a part of the DGA.
At the February 25 orientation in the DGA’s Los Angeles Theater, IDC Chair Kyle Patrick Alvarez (The Stanford Prison Experiment, Homecoming) welcomed the Attendees to the DGA, sharing that the Guild is Community of Filmmakers and how the creative and economic protections of DGA membership have impacted his career; DGA Special Assignments Executive Jennifer Peat emphasized the ways in which becoming a Member of the DGA enables Independent Directors especially to protect their vision in bring projects to fruition; and SXSW staffers delivered more valuable festival information.
About the Festival:
SXSW is an annual March event in Austin, Texas that features conference sessions, film and television festival screenings, music festival showcases, world-class exhibitions, competitions, awards ceremonies, and networking with creatives from around the world.