*(Long Beach, Ca) – In addition to the 180-plus screenings taking place at the 4th Annual Long Beach Indie International Film, Media & Music Festival happening Wed., Aug. 30 – Sun., Sept. 3, the five-day event also features a wealth of free information sessions for businesses and music industry professionals, a college career fair, and the Step to the Mic youth singing competition.
The Long Beach Indie Entertainment and Music Industry Conference runs Thurs., Aug. 31 – Sat., Sept. 2 at the Hilton Long Beach Hotel, 701 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90831, and features three tracks:
Track 1: International Media and Entertainment Business programmed by the U.S. Department of Commerce?s Media & Entertainment Industries group; Track 2: Musicians and Performers workshops and panels produced by Media & Repertoire; and Track 3: College and Career Fair hosted in collaboration with the BLU Educational Foundation and Believe Foundation.
The Step to the Mic competition begins at 6 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 2.
See Long Beach Indie Entertainment and Music Industry Conference schedule below:
Track 1: International Media and Entertainment Business (Thurs. 8/21)
9 a.m. Export, Licensing and Trade Report From the U.S. Department of Commerce?s Global Media and Entertainment Team (Andrea DaSilva, Media & Entertainment Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC)
9:30 a.m. A U.S. Business Guide for Commercial Services and Export Assistance Centers (U.S. Department of Commerce, California Export Assistance Center/s)
10 a.m. New Resources for Domestic and International Media & Entertainment Industry (Jocelyn Celaya, The Entertainment Small Business Alliance, San Diego)
10:30 a.m. Industry Trends, New York Media Festival and The Digital Entertainment World (Tinzar Sherman, CEO, Digital Media Wire)
11 a.m. Exploring Film Co-Production Opportunities in China (Melanie Ansley, China Hollywood Society)
Fri., Sept. 1
9 a.m. The Music Industry – Digital, Licensing and International Business (Teri Nelson Carpenter, Reel Muzik Werks; Mark Nguen, Planet LA Records)
10 a.m. Video Games, eSports and International Business (Josh Green, LA Chapter of the International Game Developers Association)
Track 2: Musicians and Performers
11 a.m. Emerging Opportunities for Gospel Artists (Angela Jollivette, Moonbaby Media; Andre Mullen, The Inaxxs Group; David Hernandez, KJLH; Victoria Hernandez, Kick the Concrete)
12 p.m. How to Successfully Release Music Independently (Tim Trudeaux, Syntax Creative; Fuzzy, Priority Records; DJ Hapa, Dash Radio; Marcus Thomas, Los Angeles Film School)
1 p.m. Q&A: Meet J. Kevin Swain, Veteran Director, Producer, Filmmaker (J. Kevin Swain, Nature Boy Productions; Marguerite de Bourgoing, LA STEREO TV)
Sat., Sept. 2
10 a.m. Q&A: The Evolution of Chicano Music in East Los Angeles (Joanne Ledesma, Ledesma Music; Xocoyotzin Herrera, California State University Northridge)
11 a.m. How to Start Your Own Podcast (Felicia ?The Poetess? Morris, Morris Media Studios)
12 p.m. Parents in the Mix: Managing Your Child’s Music Career (Mahkenna Tyson, Dr. Brian Tyson)
1 p.m. Best Social Media Practices for Recording Artists (Steve Jones, Brand Maverick Entertainment; Shannita Williams, Los Angeles County Arts Commision)
Track 3: College and Career Fair
The Long Beach Indie College and Career Fair exposes young people (ages 15-24) to options in higher education and careers in arts, entertainment, and STEM-related fields. The event includes corporate and college exhibitors, workshops, panels, and inspirational speakers. Xocoyotzin Herrera, ethnic studies professor at California State University Northridge, will deliver the keynote address and the event will also feature speakers including producer Jae Deal and Sean Holt, assistant professor USC?s Thornton School of Music.
Step to the Mic
6 p.m. Step to the Mic
The Step to the Mic youth-based singing competition will feature 30 contestants from Southern California in three categories, 6-12, 13-17, and 18 and over. The event is the finale of the year-long showcase executive produced by Gregory ?G The Producer? Smith and co-produced by Demetra Pearson at the House of Blues in Anaheim. Judges include Bungalo Records CEO and Founder Paul Ring and Grammy-nominated producer Jeff Weber. Event host Isaiah Walker will debut his new single ?Get Yo Ish and Go.?
The first place winners in each age category will win a trophy and the opportunity to record a single with Smith at his studio in Long Beach. The singles will be released on a compilation album that will be distributed by Bungalo Records.
Long Beach Indie International Film, Media & Music Festival tickets can be purchased at: https://www.longbeachindie.hollywoodpost.com/
See full festival schedule here.
About Long Beach Indie:
Since its inception in 2014 the festival has screened more than 450 films from 50+ countries, drawn over 8000 attendees, received coverage from more than 300 international media outlets, and drawn Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy, Emmy, Directors Guild of America, ALMA, and NAACP Image Award winners and nominees as presenters.
The 2014 winner for Best Animated Short (The Dam Keeper) was nominated for an Academy Award and more than half of the features screened have gained national or international distribution.
More Than Just A Film Festival:
A five-day entertainment experience Long Beach Indie includes the LBI International Film Festival, LBI International Media and Entertainment Business Summit and Expo, LBI Film, Digital Media, and Music Conference, LBI Career Pathways in Arts, Digital Media and Entertainment Conference, and the LBI College and Career Fair exposing urban communities to careers in arts, entertainment, and digital media.
Attesting to the draw of Long Beach Indie, recent industry presenters include: Oscar nominee Margaret Avery (The Color Purple), Emmy winners Mark Kirkland (The Simpsons), Charles Ragins (The Simpsons), and P. Frank Williams (Unsung, American Gangster), two-time DGA winner Jesus Salvador Trevino, multiple Grammy winner David Porter, Grammy winner Jeff Weber, Grammy nominee Xocoyotzin Herrera, 4-time NAACP Image Award winner Terri J. Vaughn, and YouTube icon Tay Zonday.
Connect With Long Beach Indie:
#LongBeachIndie
Website: www.longbeachindie.com
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