..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..R.J. Matson
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Michael Wilmington

May 3, 2005

For Immediate Release

IFP/LOS ANGELES ANNOUNCES NEW NAME
-- Organization to Launch New Website --

LOS ANGELES (May 3, 2005) - IFP/Los Angeles announced today that it will re-launch itself under the new name Film Independent [FIND]. Film Independent [FIND] will work under a new framework which will allow the organization to work more effectively on assisting and promoting the independent filmmaking community.

The organization will continue to produce both the Independent Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, which are wholly owned and operated by the organization. Both events will remain under FIND's umbrella.

"Film Independent [FIND] will be a continuation of our current goals, with a name that better reflects our mission and a structure that will serve our members more effectively," said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent [FIND]. "The independent film community in Southern California has grown exponentially in the last several years, and it is crucial that we evolve to better fit this new landscape."

FIND will continue to work with IFP and other independent film organizations, including partnering on advocacy issues and encouraging diversity in the film industry.

All staff will remain the same. Richard Raddon will continue as Festival Director of the Los Angeles Film Festival; Diana Zahn-Storey will continue as Event Producer for both the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Independent Sprit Awards. Rachel Rosen will continue as the organization's Director of Programming; Doug Jones will continue as the organization's Senior Programmer.

FIND members will continue to receive the same benefits currently offered as part of their memberships, such as year-round educational programs, free screenings, a diversity/mentoring program, equipment and studio rentals, discounts to the Los Angeles Film Festival, and voting privileges for the Independent Spirit Awards.

The organization plans to launch a new website that will further build its online community and serve as an effective resource for its members. The new website will enable members to communicate with one another more easily.

IFP/Los Angeles began in 1980 when a small group of writers, directors, and producers came together to share ideas about the independent filmmaking process.

Hudson came aboard as leader of the organization in 1991. Under her leadership, the organization has become Southern California's largest organization for independent filmmakers with membership levels increasing from 900 in 1992 to more than 6,300 currently.

During Hudson's tenure, the organization has created Filmmaker Labs for writers, directors, and producers; provided full-time, on-staff advisors for filmmakers; introduced free one-on-one consultations for filmmakers in the categories of post-production, festival strategy, line-producing, legal advice, and foreign sales; and established onsite facilities (casting rooms, editing suite, production office, and resource library) for filmmakers. In addition Project: Involve, the organization's first film mentorship program for under-represented, emerging filmmakers, was established in 1993 and has provided mentorship and jobs to 440 honorees during the past 12 years.

Film Independent [FIND] is the largest non-profit organization dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers, expanding the audience for independent film, and increasing diversity in the industry. FIND works to cultivate the careers of its diverse body of members and to help filmmakers across the spectrum find their audiences.

FIND provides its 6,300 members access to resources and onsite facilities to get films made; more than 100 free screenings each year; more than 150 educational events and workshops; and Project: Involve, a diversity/mentoring program for under-represented filmmakers.

FIND produces the world-class Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international independent film. This year's festival runs June 16 - June 26, 2005. FIND also produces the Independent Spirit Awards, the premier awards event of the independent film community.

#####