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Dee Rees to Give Closing Keynote at 13th Annual Film Independent Forum

Published

9 years ago

October 16, 2017

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Film Independent announced that award-winning filmmaker Dee Rees (Mudbound) will be closing the 13th annual Film Independent Forum with a Keynote Conversation. The Forum takes place the weekend of October 20-22 at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles. Jordan Peele (Get Out, Key & Peele) will also deliver a Keynote, in a conversation moderated by Film Independent’s Elvis Mitchell.

“It has been so great to see Dee Rees grow as an auteur since her debut film Pariah garnered the John Cassavetes Award at the Film Independent Spirit Awards just five years ago—I am sure filmmakers attending will be inspired as she shares her artistic journey at the Forum,” said Maria Raquel Bozzi, Senior Director of Education and International Initiatives.

Dee Rees premiered her most recent film Mudbound at Sundance in January, and since then, it has been one of the most talked-about films of the year. The film was acquired by Netflix for $12.5 million, and this could be the streaming giant’s first major Oscar contender, and Dee Rees could become the first black woman to ever be nominated for Best Director. Mudbound recently screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and will be released theatrically in November. In addition to Mudbound, Rees also has the HBO biopic Bessie, and breakout 2011 film Pariah under her belt.

Be sure to check out the Film Independent Forum October 20-22! For more information click HERE.

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Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays Presents “The Black Parade” On Tuesday, October 13th, 2026 7 PM PT on Twitch

Published

2 days ago

October 11, 2026

Jimmy Star

Rocky Kramer will be hosting “The Black Parade” on this week’s episode of Rocky Kramer’s Rock & Roll Tuesdays on Twitch. Tune into Twitch on Tuesday, October 13th, 2026 at 7 PM PT for this amazing show.

Rocky Kramer is a guitar virtuoso, often being compared to the greatest guitar players in the world. Rocky has performed on shows with some of the greatest musicians on the planet including Ozzy Osbourne, John Lodge, Steve Vai, Leland Sklar, Kenny Aronoff, Tommy James, Verdeen White, Ten Years After, BuckCherry, Rick Wakeman and more.

Rocky’s first studio album, “Firestorm” is now available worldwide through Allied Artists Music Group, together with an epic music video of his #1 Global DRT Chart topper single, “Rock Star”, that also picked up a Best Rock Performance nod at the 2019 Hollywood Music In Media Awards (“HMMA”).

Rocky Kramer recently returned to the studio to record his sophomore album “Alone In The Rain” which will be released soon!!!

Rocky Kramer was recently cast in The Mutt Productions/ Allied Artists rock n’ roll time travel comedy adventure “Rockin’ In Time” where he will play the film’s lead character, Lars Olsen. The film is being directed by Aaron Lee Lopez (of the “Teenage Girl” franchise) and is being produced by multi-platinum and six-time Grammy Award winning musician turned motion picture producer, Kurt Wipfli.

Rocky Kramer is now the new lead guitarist in Prescott Niles’ new revival of the legendary band The Knack. Known worldwide for their smash hit “My Sharona,” The Knack helped define the sound of late-1970s power pop and rock. Decades later, the band’s influence continues to resonate with fans and musicians across generations. With Rocky Kramer now joining the lineup, the band is poised to introduce that legacy to a new era of audiences while honoring the spirit that made them legendary.

Watch Rocky Kramer’s “Rock Star” Music Video here: