AGBO, an independent production company founded by Anthony and Joe Russo, is renowned for producing diverse, high-quality content, from blockbuster hits like “Avengers: Endgame” to groundbreaking projects such as “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” spanning film, television, and digital media. Slamdance, an independent film festival established in 1995, is dedicated to spotlighting emerging filmmakers and low-budget films, often featuring innovative and daring storytelling.
AGBO's Downtown LA studio set the stage for the second annual AGBO + Slamdance Summer Showcase (July 20 & 21, 2024), celebrating the dynamic and evolving world of indie filmmaking. The partnership between Slamdance and AGBO dates back to the late '90s when the Russo brothers premiered their feature film "Pieces" at Slamdance. Their collaboration has since grown, culminating in the creation of the AGBO Fellowship in 2018.
A Slam Script Shop panel workshop dedicated to emerging screenwriters.
The fellowship annually selects a filmmaker from the Slamdance lineup, providing them with mentorship, a cash prize, and access to AGBO's cutting-edge facilities. "A major component to this year's showcase is that the artists, creators, writers, and filmmakers whose projects are featured here are based in Southern California," said Slamdance Festival Director Taylor Miller. "This is a significant aspect of the initiative because it emphasizes the local SoCal effort to support the community by providing a special space for Angelenos to showcase their work and have the opportunity to meet each other."
Central to this year's showcase is AGBO's cutting-edge motion capture (mocap) stage, featuring an LED wall that adds an impressive visual component to the event. According to Miller, unlike last year's dispersed schedule, this summer's event was concentrated over a single weekend, allowing for a more focused and immersive experience.
Slamdance Festival Director Taylor Miller welcomes the attendees at the DTLA Summer Showcase.
The showcase features three primary programs: Script Shop, Shortwave, and Digital Interactive Gaming. Each program is designed to highlight the talents of SoCal-based filmmakers, writers, and creators. This local focus fosters a sense of community and provides a platform for Angelenos to connect, share their work, and build lasting relationships.
- Script Shop: This program caters to both veteran and emerging screenwriters, offering them a space to develop and refine their craft.
- SHORTWAVE: A selection of the best short films from the 2024 Slamdance festival, Shortwave showcases the innovative and diverse voices of indie filmmakers.
- Digital Interactive Gaming: Highlighting the intersection of film and gaming, this program explores new frontiers in storytelling and interactive media.
A New Home for Slamdance
Recently, Slamdance announced its permanent relocation from Utah to Los Angeles, with the festival set to take place from February 20-26, 2025. This decision was driven by the need for greater economic and physical accessibility, as well as the desire to be at the heart of the entertainment industry. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 1,000 submissions to the film festival received within six days of the announcement.
The DTLA Summer Showcase is more than just an event; it's a vibrant community of filmmakers, writers, and creators eager to learn and collaborate. Attendees, ranging from cinematographers to screenwriters, gather to share their work and forge new connections. This spirit of collaboration and continuous learning is at the core of Slamdance's mission, and the move to Los Angeles is set to boost this energy.
As Slamdance grows and takes on new opportunities, the DTLA Summer Showcase shines as a symbol of creativity and new ideas in the indie film world. "The feedback that we got last year was how critical this showcase was,” said Miller “And still this summer, we're getting that same feedback... It's about community, and fostering these connections."
For more information on Slamdance, visit https://slamdance.com/. For more info on AGBO, visit https://www.agbo.com/.
