Detailing how indie creators guide their ambitious projects from the page to the screen, Totally Indie Day offers the next generation of filmmakers insights into how to employ both vision and resourcefulness. The one-day conference is an opportunity to share stories, gain insights, and learn more about the art and business of cinema.
In 2021, the conference was livestreamed on VIFF Connect, with audiences invited to connect with fellow emerging filmmakers and participate in virtual networking sessions.
Sign up for VIFF News to be the first to know when the 2022 Totally Indie Day line-up is announced.
Take a look back at Totally Indie Day 2021
Case Study: Portraits From a Fire
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the the making of Portraits From a Fire, the debut feature of Tŝilhqot’in filmmaker Trevor Mack. The film tells the story of a teenage boy on a reserve who fights through distorting realities as a family secret unravels. The film’s director, producer, cinematographer, and editor will share their experiences about the development, financing, and production of the feature, plus the importance of partnering the film’s key creatives with Indigenous talent.
Trevor Mack
Writer/Director, Portraits From a Fire
Kaayla Whachell
Cinematographer, Portraits From a Fire
Kate Kroll
Producer, Portraits From a Fire
Elad Tzadok
Editor, Portraits From a Fire
Rylan Friday
Producer, Portraits From a Fire
Host: Tyler Hagan
Producer/Director, Experimental Forest Films
Deep Dive: The Beta Test
Award-winning director Jim Cummings (Thunder Road, The Wolf of Snow Hollow) is a multi-hyphenate, having worked pretty much every job one can on a film set. He is an expert on crowdfunding and self-distribution, collaborative approaches to team building, and employing great DIY strategies to getting an indie film off the ground. His latest film, The Beta Test, co-written/co-directed with PJ McCabe, is a comedy thriller about the packaging fight between the agencies and the Writers Guild of America.
Jim Cummings
Writer/Director/Actor/Editor, The Beta Test
PJ McCabe
Director/Writer/Actor, The Beta Test
Host: Albert Shin
Director, Together
Virtual Networking Session
This networking session will consist of several Zoom breakout rooms made up of small, randomized groups of fellow Totally Indie Day attendees.
Enjoy this structured yet casual opportunity to mix and mingle with filmmakers and creatives from Vancouver and around BC! Join us ready to chat, make connections, and have fun with like minded creators and community members.
The networking session Zoom link will be shared with Totally Indie Day participants via the VIFF Connect chat on the day of the conference.
Opportunity Knocks: Below-the-line Talent
Ever driven by a film set and wonder, “who are all those people with walkie talkies?” The below-the-line (BTL) crew are involved with the day-to-day operations of getting a series made and are some of the most creative people on set! These are the folks turning the showrunners’ vision into a reality. Meet BTL talent from hit WarnerBros shows as we discuss some specific careers in the industry, their roles in a production, collaborations with departments, and opportunities for career advancement.
Graysen Sangster
Asst. Location Manager, Superman & Lois
Maya Mani
Costume Designer, Batwoman
Roxanne Rejfek
2nd AD, Superman & Lois
Amanda McGowan
Key Makeup Artist, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
Anand Ray
Production Designer, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
Host: Erika Kumar
Program Manager, WarnerMedia Access To Action Canada
Host: Marnie Gee
BC Film Commissioner + Director of Production Services
Behind the Scenes of Cryptozoo
Dash Shaw is a cartoonist and animator whose latest feature, Cryptozoo, premiered at Sundance to rave reviews, won the NEXT Innovator Award, and continues to receive critical acclaim. The film features the voice talents of Lake Bell, Zoe Kazan, Michael Cera, and Louisa Krause, among others. We’re excited to hear Dash share his singular process of conceiving, writing, drawing, animating, voicing, and directing his psychedelic, groovy, and dazzling animated film, Cryptozoo.
Dash Shaw
Writer/Director, Cryptozoo
Host: Jeff Chiba Stearns
Animation and Documentary Filmmaker
Indie Spirits
From stories of immigration and spiritual journeys into the highlands of Harar to the drama of a young woman joining a scrap metal crew to pay for her education, our featured writers and directors have unique perspectives that speak to bigger issues. They’ve risen to the challenge of debuting their films in a disrupted marketplace, earned multiple awards, and garnered critical acclaim along the way. We’re thrilled to chat with them about their process in bringing their stories to the screen.
Nicole Riegel
Writer/Director, Holler
Megan Park
Writer/Director, The Fallout
Jessica Beshir
Writer/Director, Faya Dayi
Nana Mensah
Writer/Director, Queen of Glory
Host: Curtis Woloschuk
Associate Director of Programming, VIFF