8:00 AM
Fancy a latte? Hit up North Village Coffee Co. on the first and second floor for a complimentary full service coffee bar to jump start your day. Open through 11AM.
Badge Pick-Up & Help Desk
8:00AM - 5:00AM | Agile Registration Hub, VenueSIX10
Pick up your badge, your bag, and hit the lounge to meet independent film exhibition colleagues NEW and old!
Art House Tales presented by Eventive
9:00AM - 10:00 AM | Feinberg Theater, 2nd Floor | VenueSIX10
At Art House Tales, a longtime program of previous gatherings, exhibitors will share their histories, current operations, future ideas, and, ultimately, what makes them unique to our industry.
Align, Plan, Execute (Development, Marketing, Ops)
10:15 - 11:45 AM | Room 711 | VenueSIX10
Development and marketing professionals explore how the two departments can - and should! - work together effectively. The discussion will cover both big-picture strategy, such as nonprofit identity and alignment, and practical tactics, including meeting structures, annual planning, and day-to-day collaboration. Panelists will also share ideas for making development efforts more engaging and effective through marketing, from creating cohesive fundraising appeals to integrating campaigns into marketing calendars and maximizing available communication channels.
Vibe Check: Harnessing the Power of Gen- Z (Marketing, Programming)
10:15 - 11:45 AM | Room 421 | VenueSIX10
In a recent report, Cinema United confirmed what many exhibitors and programmers already knew: Gen Z audiences love going to the movies, so much so that The Hollywood Reporter has anointed them “the primary customers at movie theaters!” Over the past year, Gen Z audiences have become the driving force behind many successful movies - from international arthouse hits like No Other Choice and Sirat to Academy Award contenders Marty Supreme and Sinners. Split into two parts, this session will provide insights from recent audience studies and research into the moviegoing habits of Gen Z audiences. What kind of incentives, programming and experiences can independent exhibitors offer this new powerhouse generation to engage them in a lasting way? We’ll go straight to the source!
If You Build It (Education, Programming)
10:15 - 11:45 AM | Room 314 | VenueSIX10
This hands-on workshop will help attendees develop their grant proposals for funding artist development programming in the current social climate. In this workshop, you will engage with Program Officers of festivals, institutions and funders who work to support foundational programming for artists sustainability in an ever-shifting funding climate.
Distributor Presentations (Programming, Marketing)
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Feinberg Theater, 2nd Floor | VenueSIX10
Curious what’s on the future slate of various distributors in the independent film world? Hear from them directly on what you can expect coming soon!
Today’s Line-Up: Park Circus | Searchlight | MUBI | IFC | GKids | Neon
Demystifying Grants: A Practical Guide for Beginners (Dev)
10:30 - 11:45 AM | Room 423 | VenueSIX10
This is an introductory session for anyone new (or new-ish!) to the world of grants. You’ll learn about how to find grant opportunities that fit your organization, how to apply–from meetings with funders to Letters of Intent–and how to write a compelling and successful grant application. Learn strategies that will make grant writing an easier part of your fundraising rather than a roadblock.
Lunch
11:00AM - 1:00 PM | Crown Hall, 9th Floor | VenueSIX10
Grab a bite and take a break or convene with colleagues.
Get inspired while you eat by: The Story Your Space Tells: Exploring the Visual and Design Details That Shape the Art House Experience
Our organizations offer more than just movies. They are spaces where people come together, share experiences, and build community. But this doesn’t just happen, we must design spaces that facilitate these experiences. See inspiring details from art houses across the globe. Meditate on how design communicates identity and we can craft our physical spaces to shape the guest experience.
The Ethics of Exhibition (Leadership, Operations)
12:00PM - 1:00 PM | Room 707 | VenueSIX10
What do we stand for as exhibitors? From presentation integrity to labor, access, and community accountability, art house cinemas navigate complex ethical decisions without a shared framework. Inspired by the FIAPF Code of Ethics, this session begins a collaborative effort to articulate our field’s guiding principles and explore forming a working group to continue the work. Come prepared to listen and share.
Best Practices for Digital Print Traffic (Programming, Operations)
12:00PM - 1:00 PM | Room 721 | VenueSIX10
Behind every seamless screening is a well-managed digital print workflow. Break down the essential skills you need to confidently handle digital print traffic, from requesting the right exhibition files to ensuring everything runs smoothly when it’s time to hit “play.” This workshop is ideal for cinema and festival staff without technical backgrounds and especially those working with small teams. You’ll learn how to request the right exhibition files, what to look for when a file arrives, how to track and organize your digital assets, KDM management, and how to troubleshoot common issues with downloads before they become show-stopping problems. Speakers will share real-world scenarios from both festival and cinema environments, offering practical tips, tools, and workflows you can implement right away.
Fireside Chat with Tabitha Jackson and Gina Duncan, presented by Watermelon Pictures
1:00PM - 2:00 PM | Feinberg Theater | VenueSIX10
Two of independent film's most enduring forces come together for a candid conversation about the deeper “why” behind their work. Moving beyond programming strategy and operational how-tos, Tabitha Jackson and Gina Duncan explore what it means to transcend the role of presenters, and to view our work as connectors; what’s at stake when free expression and serendipitous human exchange are under threat; and how the field can build the trust and resilience needed to act collectively and collaboratively. This is a conversation about meaning, purpose, and the irreplaceable value of the physical space of cinema.
One Brand, Many Hands: Make the Most of Canva for Your Org's Identity (Marketing)
1:00PM - 2:15 PM | Room 421 | VenueSIX10 | RSVP REQUIRED
Your brand is one of your organization's most valuable assets, but when multiple people are creating content, it can quickly take on a life of its own. This session will break down what the elements of a strong visual identity look like in practice and why consistency is the difference between a brand that builds trust and one that creates confusion. You'll leave with practical strategies for setting up Canva as a brand management tool that empowers your whole team to create on-brand content without starting from scratch every time - or going rogue.
Write That Down: Plan Refinement for Immigration Concerns (Ops, Leadership)
1:00PM - 2:15 PM | Room 711 | VenueSIX10
Your brand is one of your organization's most valuable assets, but when multiple people are Bring your existing or drafted safety plans to this session as we'll work to refine them through best practices and roles in dealing with unexpected agents in your spaces and understanding the rights your business, employees, and attendees have.
Meet the Vendors
2:00PM - 5:00 PM | Gallery 10, 10th Floor | VenueSIX10
Stop by to meet our supporting companies! From technology to ticketing software to concessions, see the latest innovations in products and services for exhibitors.
Film Critics x Independent Theaters/Festivals = Audience Growth (Marketing, Programming)
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM | Room 711 | VenueSIX10
Local film critics and writers can be powerful advocates for independent theaters and regional film festivals. This session will explore how critics, theatres and festivals can support and benefit each other by championing cinema and building resilient and curious communities of film lovers. While traditional platforms for film criticism have undergone dramatic changes and fast-growing portals like Letterboxd have democratized the proliferation of hot takes on everything from the latest Hollywood blockbuster to Criterion Collection picks, there is still an audience out there for in-depth film writing and its underlying expertise. Theaters and festivals alike can tap into their audiences’ desire to learn by giving film writers a platform to flex their own programming chops and share their passion for film. After sharing their own perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of the current independent cinema and film festival landscape, our guest speakers will move into roundtable discussions with the theater and festival representatives in attendance to answer their questions.
Showcasing Youth Creators (Education, Programming)
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM | Room 421| VenueSIX10
What does engaging in and crafting youth programming actually look like? In this session, programmers, educators and festival organizers will share information on events and initiatives that teach young creators (15-24 year-olds) about filmmaking, encourage artistic expression in a playful way, or provide young creators with a platform to share their films with a local audience.
You May Find Yourself Working in Film Exhibition (Field Wide)
3:15 PM - 4:45 PM | Room 423| VenueSIX10
Many cinephiles out there have no idea that there are viable film careers outside film production – how do we educate the public about the paths they can pursue? This workshop will explore different careers in film exhibition and brainstorm how we leverage certain networks (film schools and clubs, theatre memberships, local high schools and afterschool programs, etc.) to encourage people to think of them as serious career options. Perfect for anyone exploring their career options or exhibitors who want to cultivate a professional development workshop in their own backyard.
What the F…undraiser! - Thinking Beyond the Gala (Dev, Ops)
3:15 PM - 4:45 PM | Room 707 | VenueSIX10
This interactive breakout session explores how to design exciting fundraising events - large or small - without relying on A-list honorees or traditional formats to drive revenue. Speakers will share creative examples of unconventional events they’ve produced, offering insights into what worked, what didn’t, and how those ideas can be adapted for different organizations and budgets. Participants will explore how shifting away from a single flagship gala toward a more diversified, community-centered events strategy can increase engagement, attract sponsors and members, and strengthen long-term sustainability. Through facilitated discussion and small-group breakouts, attendees will generate and share their own ideas, with opportunities to “steal this ideal” and remix concepts for their unique audiences. Whether you’re looking to reinvent your signature event or experiment with new formats, this session will equip you with practical strategies—and fresh inspiration—to think beyond the gala.
The Art of Facilitation: Turning Conversations into Connection (Programming, Education)
4:00PM - 5:00 PM | Room 314 | VenueSIX10
It is a myth that all you need to do to facilitate group conversation is get people in a room together. Facilitation is an active process. Explore the art of facilitation across formats, from audience Q&As to small-group dialogue and large community conversations. Together, we’ll examine practical strategies for encouraging participation, asking better questions, navigating silence, balancing dominant voices, and creating inclusive environments where audiences feel comfortable contributing.
Sorry to Bother You Screening and Q&A with Special Guest Boots Riley
7:00 PM showtime followed by an after-the-screening Happy Hour. Presented by Agile Ticketing Solutions.
7:00 PM - late | Music Box Theatre | 3733 N Southport Ave