Denver panels finding the True Indie Spirit

Moderated by Spoutblog.com critic Karina Longworth, the Friday evening discussion panel DIY Filmmaking in an Indie Apocalypse explicitly covered what was implicitly clear throughout the day as a whole: independent filmmakers, with insight and integrity, are making the scene in every sense of the phrase. Whether they're creating animated charmers on their laptops, as Nina Paley has done with Sita Sings the Blues; leaving lucrative careers to realize their uncompromising vision behind the lens, like former lawyer and Cook County director David Pomes; or, for that matter, getting to know their own audiences here in Denver at soirees like last night's AOR-sponsored Independent Filmmakers Reception at Post Modern, we at SDFF 31 are thrilled that such talents are here to stay...even as we're sorry to see them go.

But sure enough, Closing Night is upon us. While the arthouse fans of the future toddled the red carpet this morning at Saturday-at-the-Movies, the film buffs of the here and now began gathering at the Starz FilmCenter to catch the likes of cult animator Don Hertzfeldt's I am so proud of you and Jay Delaney's Not Your Typical Bigfoot Movie - a look at the staying power of the American Dream no less heartfelt for being offbeat. Meanwhile, as the festival winds down, let's not forget that there are still plenty of screenings on Sunday...or that SDFF 32 is only a year away.

- Ruth Tobias