Independent voices. Greater possibilities together.

Supporting the festival, starting conversations

On November 8, Democrify founder Ed Breaux will proudly introduce the screening of If I Go Will They Miss Me. For Breaux, the film’s power lies in a profound message that can be expressed in a single sentence. The story makes that message deeply felt and memorable.

At the Filmmaker Brunch on November 13, Breaux will focus on ways filmmakers can build on the value of their work: carrying a film’s ideas into audiences’ lives, developing new opportunities around its assets, and connecting with people whose talents and ambitions complement their own.

Visit Film Pittsburgh for festival information, screening details, and tickets.

What happens after the credits?

A film can leave audiences with a character they cannot forget, a question they want to explore, or an ambition they are ready to pursue. Those connections offer starting points for immersive Experiences that invite people to participate, make choices, and discover how a story relates to their own lives.

For filmmakers, that could mean working with educators, creating a game or live Experience, connecting with a community that cares about the film’s subject, or developing another way for audiences to engage with its world. These are possibilities to explore with each creator, guided by the film and the filmmaker’s aspirations.

Individual voices. Collective strength.

Independent filmmakers often face challenges that larger studios can address through established networks and greater resources. By working collectively, independent filmmakers can compete more effectively: sharing expertise, connecting audiences, finding collaborators, and developing opportunities that would be harder to pursue alone.

The Filmmakers Group is being developed with people who want to explore collaboration across projects. That could mean developing a shared story world, planning complementary films around a theme, or helping audiences discover related work by different filmmakers. Participants’ aspirations and experience will help determine which ideas to pursue and how to organize the work.

Established producers, distributors, studios, and other entertainment professionals are welcome to participate, too. Shared interests can create opportunities across the industry.

A Pittsburgh starting point

By introducing the community through the Three Rivers Film Festival, Democrify hopes to help turn festival connections into continuing collaboration. Pittsburgh filmmakers and visiting creators are invited to help shape the group around the goals, challenges, and opportunities they know firsthand.

The group is taking shape in Pittsburgh and is open to independent filmmakers everywhere. Its first steps will be guided by the people who choose to participate.