Swami
The True/False SWAMI mentorship program was launched in 2007 as a way to help new nonfiction filmmakers navigate the sometimes treacherous terrain of the doc film world. Through meetings with seasoned and knowledgeable industry professionals, first-time filmmakers get unvarnished advice on everything that happens after they finish their final cut. From sales agents to online distribution to European sales, this is a chance for filmmakers to get unbiased answers on some of the thorniest topics in the movie business.
Special thanks to Chicken and Egg Pictures for sponsoring the 2012 SWAMI program.2012 SWAMIs
Sean Farnel independent film consultant specializing in festivals, curation, acquisitions and creative development; prior stints include director of programming at Hot Docs and staff programmer with the Toronto International Film Festival
Judith Helfand filmmaker, activist and educator; co-founder and director of strategic and creative development for Chicken & Egg Pictures; co-founder of Working Films
Simon Kilmurry executive director and producer of POV, television’s longest-running showcase for independent non-fiction films
Ryan Krivoshey Cinema Guild’s director of distribution; veteran of the New York film scene at such mainstays as Film Forum, Icarus Films and Kim’s Video.
Andrea Meditch award-winning documentary film producer (Buck, Man on Wire) and creative advisor; president of Back Allie Entertainment and advisor to Michigan State University’s College of Communication
Esther Robinson award-winning filmmaker/producer (A Walk into the Sea: Danny Williams and The Warhol Factory); formerly director of film/video and performing arts for the Creative Capital Foundation, and one of the principal architects of their innovative grant-making system
Jess Search co-founder of the independent filmmakers' network Shooting People, and chief executive of Channel 4 British Documentary Film Foundation
2012 Selected Filmmakers
Angad Bhalla, director, Lisa Valencia-Svensson, producer, Herman's HouseAlison Klayman, director, Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry
Omar Mullick & Bassam Tariq, co-directors, These Birds Walk
David Osit, director, Building Babel
Jason Tippet & Elizabeth Mims, co-directors, Only the Young
Xun “Fish” Yu, director, The Vanishing Spring Light