The 2011-12 season of Independent Lens got off to a rousing start on Tuesday, October 13when we hosted an event in Los Angeles to celebrate the 10^th season.  More than two hundred filmmakers attended, along with special guests from PBS SoCal, and colleagues from IDA, Film Independent, the City of L.A., and Participant Media, among others.

An orange carpet outside Monty Bar in downtown L.A. welcomed guests.  While the night was devoted to conversation and networking, a few speakers reminded guests of the enduring impact independent filmmakers have on public television and the wonderfully unique role independent public television stations, like PBS SoCal, play in cities across the country.  Speakers included PBS SoCal’s Ed Miscovitch; filmmakers Chris Paine of Revenge of the Electric Car; and Kurt Norton, co-producer/director of These Amazing Shadows.

The energy kicked into high gear with a 30-minute set by The Bricks, a socially conscious youth music group who write their own songs and are mentored by Grammy Award-winning artists. They are part of an initiative from our partners at the L.A. County Human Relations Commission.

Throughout the evening, a specially produced video played on large monitors featuring films from the upcoming and past seasons of Independent Lens.

Connecting the work of independent filmmakers with our partners in public television and with NGO and community partners in communities across the country is a cornerstone of Independent Lens’ mission.  The launch of our 10^th season reminded us of how far we’ve come, how many great films we’ve helped bring to audiences, and of all the great films and good work that lies ahead.

Chris Paine, Lois Vossen, and Phillip Rodriguez

PBS SoCal's Ed Miskevich

Staff from the Emmy Award-winning series Independent Lens

The Bricks performed at the launch party in L.A.

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Oscar nominee Mark Rydell, a long-time collaborator and friend of Zsigmond, presented the award. Find out more about last night’s party, which attracted some of Hollywood’s biggest names, from Lois Vossen, Independent Lens series producer.

Cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond (Easy Rider, Deliverance and Close Encounters of the Third Kind) receives the Independent Lens Vanguard Award.

Clips project above the rooftop pool at the Thompson Hotel in Beverly Hills.

What a way to kick off the upcoming season of Independent Lens! Last night’s season launch party brought out a huge crowd that seemed to grow in attendance by the minute.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Independent Lens Vangard Award to Vilmos Zsigmond, featured in the upcoming film NO SUBTITLE NECESSARY: Laszlo & Vilmos by director James Chressanthis.

Oscar nominated actor and director Mark Rydell presented the award to his dear friend. Together they’ve collaborated to make The Rose, Cinderella Liberty, The River and Intersection.

Throughout the evening, footage from the past seven seasons of Independent Lens projected against a white marble wall above the hotel’s rooftop pool. These extraordinary films showcased some of the wide-ranging films and cutting-edge work that the series has done over the years.

Everyone responded enthusiastically to the clip reel and the videos featuring our new host Maggie Gyllenhaal. Throughout the evening, I could hear the excitement over the upcoming slate of films. This reaffirms my belief that the quality of independent films has never been stronger, and the number of talented filmmakers never more diverse and exciting. We’re sure that audiences––watching on PBS and online––will agree.

It became wonderfully evident again that the Independent Lens family is growing and thriving. Dozens of filmmakers from previous seasons came out to celebrate, and I was especially pleased that so many filmmakers featured in this upcoming season were able to join as well.

Filmmaker Phillip Rodriguez agreed and believed the party had the “the right mix of indie, energy and old Hollywood glamour.”

A huge thank you to my colleagues at ITVS who planned this event: Dennis Palmieri, director of communications; Voleine Amilcar, publicity manager; Desiree Gutierrez, Los Angeles Community Cinema Regional Outreach Coordinator and party planner extraordinaire. Also thanks to Kian Soleimanpour, James Chresantheis, Vilmos Zsigmond, Art Monterastelli and Zach Kranzler of NO SUBTITLES NECESSARY. The ITVS staff, along with our wonderful guests, deserve all the credit for this stellar event.

-Lois

Check out more photos from the party:

Oscar nominated actor and director Mark Rydell presents the Vangard Award to Vilmos Zsigmond.

Golden Globe nominee and indie film star Maggie Gyllenhaal announces new slate of programs.

Kian Soleimanpour, James Chresantheis, Vilmos Zsigmond, Art Monterastelli and Zach Kranzler of NO SUBTITLES NECESSARY.

Series Producer Lois Vossen with NO SUBTITLES filmmaker James Chresantheis.

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