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IndieWire's Future of Filmmaking Summit to Spotlight ‘Pitch Me’ Panel on Scouting Breakout Hits

By Moira Callahan, Editor-in-ChiefMarch 6, 2024

Industry insiders, top execs, and agents will dissect the art of identifying breakout films at IndieWire’s upcoming summit in Los Angeles, revealing what truly makes a project stand out in today’s crowded market.

As the film landscape continues to shift unpredictably, the quest for the next big hit remains the industry’s Holy Grail. The IndieWire Future of Filmmaking Summit on October 17 will host a panel titled ‘Pitch Me,’ where decision makers from across the development, production, and distribution spectrum will share their insights on spotting potential hits early. This session promises a behind-the-scenes look at how top executives and agents evaluate pitches for their chances of breaking through in a competitive market.

The panel includes Erica Lee, president of production at Thunder Road, Julien Levesque, an agent at Gersh, Ayo Kepher-Maat of Independent Film Company, and Rachel Shane, head of film and TV at Madison Wells. IndieWire Editor-in-Chief Brent Lang will moderate the discussion, which aims to demystify the criteria that separate promising projects from the ones destined to fail. The conversation will delve into what kind of stories, talent, and strategies stand out in today’s landscape. More context: News.

The summit, held at Penske Media’s Lumen West LA headquarters, isn’t solely about pitches. It features a packed agenda, including a keynote from Phil Lord and Chris Miller on their latest project, a one-on-one with Bill Hader discussing his directorial debut, and an award presentation to Curry Barker of 'Obsession.' The event combines panels, networking, and insights into the changing tools and techniques that influence storytelling in the modern era. More context: News.

Attendees will get a rare glimpse into how industry leaders sift through countless pitches to find their next success. The panel aims to reveal the nuanced, often subjective process of evaluating scripts and concepts, emphasizing that what might seem like a long shot can sometimes turn into the industry’s next big hit. The discussion underscores that despite technological advances and shifting viewer habits, the core of hit-making remains rooted in compelling storytelling and strong talent. More context: Indie film.

Video: None. The event's promotional material and panel discussions will offer valuable insights for filmmakers, agents, and producers hoping to understand what it takes to get noticed in a saturated marketplace. With high-profile speakers and a packed schedule, the summit showcases the ongoing importance of face-to-face conversations and industry intuition in an era increasingly driven by data and algorithms. For those looking to crack the code of breakout success, the ‘Pitch Me’ panel promises a rare opportunity to hear from the decision-makers shaping tomorrow’s hits.

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