I'll buy your breakfast

Yes, I'll buy your breakfast and maybe I'll drink your milkshake, too.


This weekend's discussions/networking/panels/workshops at IM09 offer hours of info, experience and maybe an epiphany or two for film makers and the people who love them.


And yes, Memphis Cool Movies, this very blog that you're reading as you're driving down Poplar is sponsoring Saturday's Filmmaker Networking Breakfast starring tasty bagels and piping hot coffee from Bogie's Deli. Filmmakers will be there talking about Friday night's amazing films/parties/frolics and pitching future projects. Come and butter a bagel with us Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Festival Cafe out front of Malco Studio on the Square.


Then stick around for the rest of the weekend's tent revivals -- all of which are free, making it ideal for the poor and hungry:


Saturday, noon, Festival Cafe:

Get the ins and outs of The Film Festival Circuit with Chris Holland (Film Festival Secrets) and Heidi Van Lier (The Indie Film Rule Book), who will share years of accumulated knowledge and insight. Learn where and how to submit your film, and get advice on developing your own festival submission strategy.

Saturday, 1 p.m., Festival Cafe:

Join John Beifuss (The Commercial Appeal and The Bloodshot Eye), Chris Herrington (Memphis Flyer) and former New York Times film critic Elvis Mitchell (host of KCRW's The Treatment) to see what happens When Critics Converse. Learn about the changes that the advent of the Internet has brought to the profession and hear about their personal experiences, perspectives and observations -- and find out why they connect with the films they love best (maybe).

Saturday, 2 p.m., Festival Cafe:

Craig Brewer ($5 Cover) moderates this Cafe Conversation on Filmmaking for the Web with Cory McAbee (Stingray Sam, The American Astronaut), Edward Valibus Phillips (The Conversion) and Joe Swanberg Alexander the Last, Amateur Hour with Joe Swanberg) to discuss the latest trend in independent filmmaking.

Saturday, 3 p.m., Festival Cafe:

Got a question about indie filmmaking? Need to find out what's wrong with your film -- and what's right? Ask Heidi Van Lier, author of The Indie Film Rule Book and the "Indie Film Q & A with Heidi Van Lier" blog for Film Independent. Heidi advises 10-20 filmmakers a year, speaks at colleges and on film festival panels (like this one!), and programs the Slamdance Film Festival. Her first feature, Chi Girl won the Slamdance's Grand Jury Prize in 1999 and sold to IFC Films. Her second feature Monday, will be released soon digitally through Cinetic Rights Management. She is just finishing her third feature, American Decaf, which will hit the festival circuit in 2010.

Sunday, 10 a.m., Festival Cafe:

Join Fuel Film Memphis for Sunday's Filmmaker Networking Breakfast and hear about plans for Filmmaker and Investor Forums, our survey and the January Kick-Off Event, as you enjoy tasty bagels and coffee from Bogie's Deli.

Sunday, noon, Festival Cafe:

Join Steven Beckman (Cinetic Media, Chris Holland and others for Distribute Me: A Conversation on Getting Your Film Out to the World. Hear about how filmmakers are getting their films out there, and learn what options might be right for your next project.

Sunday, 1 p.m., Memphis Brooks Museum of Art

Independent filmmaker Joe Swanberg is acclaimed both for his films (Kissing on the Mouth, LOL, Hannah Takes the Stairs, Nights and Weekends, Alexander the Last) and for his episodic work for the web (Young American Bodies, The Stagg Party, Butterknife). In addition to its unadorned style, naturalistic dialog, and loosely scripted narratives, Joe's work is notable for its use of non-professional actors.

In this workshop, Joe will share his personal experiences and opinions on the appeal of Working with Nonprofessional Actors, as well as challenges and potential problems. He'll also discuss the different ways that nonprofessionals can be used most effectively, such as building characters around the actor and putting them in comfortable situations. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to share experiences and ask questions about their own projects, as well.