Film Independent Announces Participants for 2008 Screenwriters Lab

Film Independent Announces Participants for 2008 Screenwriters Lab

- Meg LeFauve to Serve as Lab Instructor -

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Film Independent announced today the selected fellows for its annual Screenwriters Lab, which runs in Los Angeles from August 4-September 11, 2008. Writer/producer Meg LeFauve will teach the Lab, which is sponsored by the Writers Guild of America, west, and Final Draft.

"We have a remarkable group of screenwriters and screenplays in the Lab this year," said Josh Welsh, Director of Talent Development at Film Independent. "It's so gratifying to see the scripts develop over the course of the Lab and then make it to the screen. Scott Prendergast's Kabluey, which opened theatrically this summer, was developed in an earlier Screenwriters Lab."

"Meg LeFauve brings a wealth of experience to the Lab, as a writer and as a creative executive working in the independent and studio worlds alike," said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent. "We're so happy to have her guiding this year's program."

The Screenwriters Lab is an intensive six-week program designed to assist writers working in independent film improve their craft and take their current scripts to the next level. This session's guest speakers will include writer/director Zach Helm (Stranger than Fiction), writer/producer Dianna Ossana (Brokeback Mountain), writer/director Jonathan Levine (The Wackness), writer Howard Rodman (Savage Grace), writer/director Jay Duplass (Baghead), and writer/director Kasi Lemmons (Talk to Me).

The Film Independent Screenwriters Lab participants were chosen based on the strength of screenwriter's submitted script and application.

The participants and their projects are:

John Benton and Alexandra Brodsky, BUST

Soo-Hyun Chung, GROUPIE

Darian and Desha Dauchan, KALFOU

Wade Gasque, HALF TRUTH

Xochitl Gonzalez, THE (MOSTLY) TRUE STORY OF THE CRAZY FU*%ED UP SH*%T I DID AT UNI HIGH

Jonathan Hludzinski, CLOSE TO ME

Cedar Sherbert, UNTITLED "BISCUIT" PROJECT

Mia Trachinger, WHAT REMAINS

Michael Urban, DIFFICULT CHILD

David Zeiger, OTHERWISE PANDEMONIUM

Past Screenwriters Lab participants include Scott Prendergast, whose debut feature Kabluey was released theatrically this summer; Lance Hammer, director of the critically-acclaimed Ballast; Suzi Yoonessi, who is currently in production on her debut feature Dear Lemon, Lima; Beth Schacter, whose debut feature Normal Adolescent Behavior premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival; Scott Coffey, who wrote and directed Ellie Parker; and Minh Nguyen-Vo, whose film Buffalo Boy was Vietnam's official entry for the 2006 Academy Awards(R).

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a non-profit membership organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent also offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent's mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally-diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: JSiegel@FilmIndependent.org

Source: Film Independent

CONTACT: Julie Siegel of Film Independent, +1-310-432-1287

Web site: http://www.filmindependent.org/

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