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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