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Loring is a Los Angeles-based writer, director, and creative producer. His work has been commissioned by a diverse range of clients- from Havas Worldwide to Wisecrack, inc.- and has been screened around the world. Through a background that blends project development with physical production across multiple formats, Loring has developed a uniquely eclectic skillset as a visual storyteller.
At Wrapbook, we pride ourselves on providing outstanding free resources to producers and their crews, but this post is for informational purposes only as of the date above. The content on our website is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, accounting, or tax advice. You should consult with your own legal, accounting, or tax advisors to determine how this general information may apply to your specific circumstances.
Two days. Hundreds of filmmakers, executives, and industry veterans. One of the most concentrated gatherings in independent film.
The Film Independent Forum has been a fixture in the indie filmmaking community for decades, and the 2026 edition is shaping up to be one of the best yet. Whether you're looking to sharpen your craft, build your network, or move a project forward, here's what to know before you go.
The Film Independent Forum is an annual conference that aims to inspire and empower members of the independent filmmaking community. It’s designed to build community and foster talent by providing opportunities for networking and education.
The film forum schedules a wide variety of events, including screenings, panels, workshops, one-on-one meetings, networking lunches, receptions, and more. Through these events, the Film Independent Forum ultimately offers a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of independent filmmaking. The film forum provides an in-depth exploration of the financing, production, and distribution of independent visual media.
If the pitch isn’t convincing on its own, check out the film forum’s credentials. As its name suggests, the Film Independent Forum is organized by Film Independent.
Film Independent is a leading professional group for independent filmmakers in the US. The nonprofit organization champions creative independence in all forms of visual storytelling and has the history to prove it.
For more than 40 years, it’s offered development labs, grants, screenings, classes, and the Film Independent Spirit Awards. More importantly, it has nurtured a thriving community for independent filmmakers.
The result is a forum with real weight behind it. The guests are working professionals at the top of their field, the programming goes deep, and the connections you make tend to last. For independent filmmakers, it's one of the best networking events of the year.
The 2026 Film Independent Forum is set to take place Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, California.
There will be no online component this year, so attendees should lock down their tickets as soon as possible.
Tickets to the 2026 forum are on sale now for both the general public and members of Film Independent. Members receive a significant discount on forum passes. The amount varies by membership level.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
You can purchase tickets to this year’s forum here.
If you’re not a Film Independent member, consider joining now. Each level of membership includes unique benefits, like access to free screenings, educational resources, and networking events.
When a sizable ticket discount for the Film Independent Forum is just the cherry on top, you know the membership’s worth a look.
Built to give productions maximum control over their financial workflows, Wrapbook has always been a natural fit for independent filmmakers. That’s why Wrapbook is a proud sponsor of the 2026 Film Independent Forum.
Of course, we’ll be in attendance too. Wrapbook Product Solutions Specialist Rene Quiroz will walk attendees through a live platform demo on Friday, September 25 at 2:30PM in DGA Theater 3.
Join us to see how Wrapbook's all-in-one platform brings payroll, accounting, and compliance together in a single system built for the way productions actually work.
Here are five ways to make it count:
The indie film community is diverse, and the Film Independent Forum is sure to have a little something for everyone. Before attending, it’s important to examine what you want to get out of your experience.
It’s far easier to know what to do if you first understand why you’re doing it.
For example, if you’re a producer with a slate of would-be independent projects, you might attend the forum with a goal of leveling up your financing knowledge.
If you’re a director in search of partners for a new project, you might instead attend with a goal to meet producers or other potential colleagues.
If you’re a lover of independent film, you might attend to simply see new movies and hear from your favorite filmmakers.
All of the above objectives are possible at the Film Independent Forum. Understanding your own motivation upfront will help you navigate your forum experience as it unfolds.
The Film Independent Forum packs a lot of events into just two short days. To make the most of your experience, you’ll want to review the official schedule and plan your time in advance.
Try to prioritize events that align with your objectives, but don’t be afraid to stay flexible when necessary. As with building a production schedule, your forum timeline should be used as a guide, not a rigid mandate.
If you discover that a particular event is more appealing than initially expected, allow yourself the freedom to deviate from your initial plan.
If your goal for attending the Film Independent Forum is to push a project forward in a particular way, be sure to prepare adequate materials to support that effort. That could mean a script, budget, pitch deck, 3D pre-viz, or something else entirely. It all depends on the specifics of your project and what you’re looking to achieve at the forum.
The Film Independent Forum is a networking and education event, not a marketplace. Come ready to make connections rather than close deals. By having the right materials to pitch your project (or yourself), you’ll have the tools to network in a focused, productive way.
The Film Independent is, at its core, about sharing knowledge. Do your brain a favor and come ready to take serious notes. The simple combination of pen and paper can upgrade the long-term value of your forum experience exponentially.
This is especially true in 2026, as there will be no online component for this year’s event. That means there will be no streams and no recordings. Attendees will have to make the most of the event in real-time.
The Film Independent Forum is a community-oriented event. The most surefire way to get the most out of your forum experience is to maintain the connections you make there.
At any networking event, it’s crucial that you follow up with people after an initial meeting. It’s a small step that takes you from being a person they met to a person they know.
Thanks to Film Independent, you’ll also have a built-in excuse for reaching out. By being an active participant in the independent community, you’ll have established meaningful common ground. With a little work, you can turn a random forum encounter into a new creative partner or even a friend.
The Film Independent Forum is two days well spent: good programming, real connections, and a community that takes independent filmmaking seriously. If you're going, come prepared and make the most of every session.
Wrapbook will be there too. Stop by the demo on Friday, September 25 at 2:30PM in DGA Theater 3, and check out our events page and podcast series for more ways to stay connected to the industry year-round. If you're working toward becoming a business-savvy filmmaker, both are worth bookmarking.
