Producing a feature is never easy, particularly the first time around as WAITRESS producer Michael Roiff did. WAITRESS is the upcoming Fox Searchlight release, written and directed by the late Adrienne Shelly.
 
All independent films begin with the vision of a passionate group of collaborators, whether it’s their first project or their 50th. 
All projects face the same core challenges  – from developing material, finding the money, building strong collaborative
teams, and ultimately, taking the project from script to screen. Find out how Roiff fared as he shares his experiences on
producing his first film with some of New York’s leading indie producers.

Joining Roiff are veteran producers Lydia Dean Pilcher and Peter Saraf. Pilcher’s credits include seven collaborations with
filmmaker Mira Nair (including their current release, The Namesake), Alison Maclean’s Jesus’ Son, and upcoming Wes
Anderson film, The Darjeeling Limited. Whether serving as producer (as he did on Little Miss Sunshine and Liev Schreiber’s
directorial debut, Everything Is Illuminated) or executive producer (Spike Jonze’s Adaptation), Saraf and his colleagues at Big Beach are in the more enviable position of also being able to partially finance a project.

Location: Helen Mills Theater
137 West 26th Street (btwn 6th and 7th)

To purchase tickets: Call (212)465-8200 x218 or email rsvp@ifp.org

IFP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building the community for a full range of independent film. Industry Connect
is IFP’s monthly workshop series on professional development. For more information, www.ifp.org.

All proceeds from this special Industry Connect panel will be donated by IFP to the Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit
organization dedicated to the memory of writer/director/actor Adrienne Shelly. The Foundation supports the artistic
achievements of female actors, writers and directors through a series of scholarships and grants, providing recipients with
financial support and consultative access to the Foundation's advisory board. For more information on the Foundation,
please visit www.adrienneshellyfoundation.org

This program has been generously underwritten by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Waitress opens in NYC on Wednesday, May 2.