To get ahead in this world, you need allies. And for aspiring creatives who want to find success in television and film, there’s Film Independent; they help. A lot of people only know them from their successful award show—the Indie Spirit Awards, often called the “indie Oscars”—but the award and the organization is much, much more.
If film is your passion, there are many perks for becoming a member of Film Independent, starting with the fact that it is designed for filmmakers, film industry professionals, and film lovers. The common connector is their shared passion for artist-driven visual storytelling.
And their team does not mess around when it comes to providing opportunities. Film Independent serves the community with an array of events, including exclusive screenings, conversations, classes, valuable resources and services, and more.
For a long time, the suits in Hollywood didn’t play fair. And since most of the “gatekeepers” in the film industry are white, heterosexual males, it’s no surprise that communities of color struggled to find their place. Aspiring talents could not be hired because they didn’t have experience—but how can you gain experience if you can’t get hired? You see the paradox.
Film Independent did, and they crafted programs to jumpstart careers and smash the proverbial “catch-22,” with one of their great success stories being the Film Independent’s Artist Development program. They have been helping to promote unique, independent voices since 1993 by empowering filmmakers to create and advance new work through initiatives like Screenwriting, Producing, Documentary, and Episodic Labs; Global Media Makers; Fast Track; and Project Involve (PI).
They are not playing around. These programs have made magic happen and are highly regarded in Hollywood for the depth of their diversity and inclusion initiatives. As of filing this story, PI added 30 new faces in the Class of 2023 of its free, nine-month program for writers, directors, producers, editors, cinematographers, animators, programmers, and entertainment execs from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
Past Project Involve mentors include Ava DuVernay (“Selma,” “When They See Us”); Barry Jenkins (“If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Moonlight”); Charles D. King (“Fences,” “Mudbound”); Bradford Young, ASC (“A Most Violent Year,” “Selma”); Forest Whitaker (“Arrival,” ”The Last King of Scotland”); Effie T. Brown (“The Inspection”), Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians”); Justin Simien (“Dear White People”); Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight”); Alma Har’el (“Honey Boy”); Mako Kamitsuna (“Pariah,” “Mudbound”); Spike Jonze (“Adaptation,” “Being John Malkovich”); Christopher Nolan (“The Dark Knight,” “Memento”); Veena Sud (“The Killing”); Christine Vachon (“Carol,” ”Boys Don’t Cry”); and Bradford Young, ASC (“A Most Violent Year,” “Selma”).
And who are the members? In my journey to learn more, I was introduced to board member Brenda Robinson, an entertainment attorney and producer with extensive experience in the film, television, and music industries. Robinson is currently head of Film Finance and Inclusion Strategies for HiddenLight Productions, a global studio creating premium documentary, scripted, and unscripted entertainment for film, TV, and digital that was founded by Hillary Clinton, Sam Branson, and Chelsea Clinton.
Robinson’s most recent credit was as a financier of the Academy Award-winning documentary ”Icarus,” as well as ”Won’t You Be My Neighbor” and ”Step.” She is an executive producer on numerous projects, including the BAFTA-nominated ”Passing,” directed by Rebecca Hall and produced by Nina Yang Bongiovi and Forest Whitaker; the Emmy-nominated ”United Skates,” with executive producer John Legend; ”The Great American Lie” by director Jennifer Siebel Newsom; “Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Story,” with executive producer Steph Curry; “Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands,” directed by Rita Coburn for the PBS American Masters series; and “The Empire of Ebony,” directed by Lisa Cortes and produced by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams.
Robinson is a member of Impact Partners, a film-financing collective dedicated to funding independent documentary storytelling that engages with pressing social issues and propels the art of cinema forward. As a dedicated philanthropist in the arts and entertainment community and advocate on behalf of creative artists, Brenda currently serves as the board chair of Film Independent; is on the board of the Representation Project founded by California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom; and is an advisor to the Redford Center, co-founded by Robert Redford and his son James Redford. She is a board member of Cinema/Chicago and the Chicago International Film Festival and currently acts as legal counsel to the festival. She is also currently chair of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and a member of the Recording Academy and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Here is what Film Independent board member Brenda Robinson had to share about her role and the future of the organization. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
AMSTERDAM NEWS (AMN): Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Has Film Independent met its own goals on the layered issue of diversity and inclusion?
BRENDA ROBINSON (BR): Film Independent continues to strive to not only meet, but exceed, our goals around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
AMN: How long have you been a board member of Film Independent?
BR: I became a member of this organization more than 10 years ago because it was evident that inclusion was baked into the very values of the organization itself, and is not treated as an afterthought. I joined Film Independent as an Arts Circle supporter and became a member of the board in 2020, vice chair in 2021, and board chair in 2022.
AMN: As a member of the board, what are you most proud of individually and as a group?
BR: I am most proud of the inclusive culture of this board. Our board is comprised of a collection of very successful, experienced, and committed industry executives, filmmakers, and thought leaders who share a passion for elevating the independent storytelling community. Individually, I am proud to be a product of Film Independent, having spent many years participating in its programs, attending seminars, forums, and screenings, receiving an education on the business itself and finding community with its members.
AMN: I enjoyed the Academy Award-winning documentary Icarus as well as Step.
BR: I am excited to have had the opportunity to be one of the numerous financiers who supported Icarus and Step.
AMN: Documentaries have seen a lot of changes. Do you agree?
BR: For the past several years, we found ourselves in what many referred to as the “Golden Age” of documentary. It was an exciting time for the field because the form itself began to take new shape, more diverse voices were beginning to find a seat at the table, more buyers became active on the sales and distribution side and many individuals, including private equity investors and philanthropists, contributed to the growth of this industry and created more opportunities for more voices. Even in the current moment as this seems to be slowing a bit, there is still an appetite for good stories and that will never go away.
AMN: You’ve produced and helped finance some of my favorite films, like United Skates (Loved. It.) and another example of your eye—standing behind the creatives of
“The Empire of Ebony,” directed by Lisa Cortes and produced by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams—two of my favorite creatives. They are consistent, kind, and encouraging.
BR: I have enjoyed the journey that each of these films has taken me on. When I consider which projects to get involved in, whether as a financier or creative producer, whether documentary or narrative, I consider first my own personal connection to the material and always use this as a baseline.
AMN: What does it mean to you to be an advocate on behalf of creative artists? I understand that’s a big question, but helping people isn’t for everyone.
BR: I enjoy doing what I can to make the impossible possible, to knock down barriers, to create access, so I have always seen my role in this industry as being one who must use my own time, talent, and treasure to open doors—the same way that someone before me once turned around, reached back, and pulled me up to their level.
AMN: You are also on the board of the Representation Project and an advisor to the Redford Center. That’s a lot of guidance you are providing. What do you like about being an obvious leader?
BR: First, I really appreciate this very generous recognition. It is often said that people make time for what is important to them. I enjoy being a resource to any organization that demonstrates a real commitment to furthering access, opportunity, and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
AMN: You are most welcome. Last question: What’s the best advice for new producers stepping into 2023?
BR: My advice to all filmmakers, whether emerging or experienced, is to be strategic in how you build your relationships in this industry. Do not look for transactions; look for partners. Consider what your goals are long-term and from there, consider who you should bring on this journey with you.
The Indie Spirit Awards celebrates its 38th year in 2023 and will be hosted by Hasan Minhaj, the son of Indian immigrants and a UC Davis political science major. The man is a certified comedy-world superstar, selling out arenas coast-to-coast, hosting the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and boasting six seasons (and two Peabody Awards!) for his acclaimed Netflix series “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj.” Not a bad CV for the 37-year-old comic. Click here for a full list of the 2023 nominees. Indie Spirit Award winners will be revealed in person on March 4 in Santa Monica and streamed live on IMDb and on other social platforms, including Film Independent’s YouTube channel, at 2 p.m. PST. You can see the previously announced film and television nominees at https://www.filmindependent.org/spirit-awards/.