Genre films are one of the most popular and self-sustaining brands around. As studios continue to close their doors to original content, and with the proliferation of online distribution, filmmakers are turning to independent sources to bring their genre projects to fruition. Join filmmakers and producers as they share their experiences working with shoestring budgets, difficult locations, and challenging circumstances, as they bring their unique visions to the screen. This panel is about implementing realistic production goals to make every dollar count, resulting in a successful film.

ROBERT ORR – FILMMAKER

Robert's first film, Savior starring Dennis Quaid, was based on Robert's experience as an aid worker during the brutal civil wars in the former Yugoslavia during the 1990s. His on-screen credits also include Underworld: Rise of the Lycans and The Resident, starring Hilary Swank. He has done location rewrites for Underworld: Evolution and Tears of the Sun and has developed scripts for directors such as Luc Besson and Ridley Scott. In 2012 he made his directorial debut on the low-budget drama Blind Turn.

MARCUS DUNSTAN – FILMMAKER

Marcus Dunstan joined the Savannah Film Festival in 2004 with his first horror feature; FEAST which he co-wrote with his University of Iowa alum Patrick Melton. Dunstan and Melton have written for the past decade on such films as SAW IV, V, VI and SAW 3-D while contributing ghost writing duties on MY BLOODY VALENTINE 3-D, HALLOWEEN 2, PIRANHA 3-D and PACIFIC RIM. Currently Dunstan and Melton are adapting GOD OF WAR for Universal, SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK for CBS FILMS, THE STUFF OF LEGEND for Disney and OUTLIERS for Fox. Dunstan directed THE COLLECTOR and THE COLLECTION, produced by Fortress Features. The team re-assembles this fall with Dunstan directing commercials for Bethesda's THE EVIL WITHIN video game due this Halloween. Dunstan joins Fortress in executive producing the aggressively un-ratable independent horror feature NAKED FURY directed by music video, commercial wiz Miz Monday... which will hopefully send people running for hills next fall at the Savannah Film Festival. Dunstan recently admitted to adding Sheena Easton's song "STRUT" to his iPhone playlist.

BRETT FORBES – PRODUCER

Brett Forbes, a graduate of Loyola Marymount University, formed his production company Fortress Features (fortressfeatures.com) with Patrick Rizzotti in 2004. Brett's first film as a producer was the critically acclaimed Pride, starring Academy Award Nominee Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac. His next film The Collector, co-written by the writers from the Saw franchise, spawned a sequel called The Collection, which was also released wide theatrically. Brett produced award winning short, Sequence, written and directed by Carles Torrens (Apartment 143) which opened the Sitges Film Festival and took home Best of the Fest honors at the 2013 LA Film Shorts Festival. His latest film to be released, The Hunted, a thriller starring Josh Stewart (The Dark Knight, The Collection) will be released September 9. Brett also is co-owner in a modern entertainment agency called Bruhouse (bruhousetrailers.com) that services a broad spectrum of clients with dynamic advertising in the form of trailers, television spots and promotional presentations.

BONNIE FORBES – PRODUCER

Bonnie Forbes began producing in 2003 with a Lifetime movie, “Time To Say Goodbye,” a true story raising awareness of Alzheimer’s and physician assisted suicide. In 2004, she joined Fortress Features with a first-look deal, and in 2007 Bonnie developed PRIDE, a film starring Terrance Howard and Bernie Mac, and released by Lionsgate. The film was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. She serves as an associate producer on the Fortress Features film THE COLLECTOR. Bonnie's talents stretch from feature films to television, where she arranged deficit financing for BATTLEGROUND: The Art of War, a mini-series for the Discovery Channel. Previous television credits include The Susan Powter Show for WE Network and a reality series WOMEN WITH GUNS for TLC. Additionally, she's recently worked with Headlong Entertainment developing reality television shows for Rive Gauche TV and networks such as A&E.

MONNIE WILLS

Monnie Wills is a feature film producer with experience in both the Studio System and Independent Film arena. During his 15 year career, Monnie has worked on the Warner Brothers, Paramount and 20th Century Fox studio lots where he worked on big budgeted studio features such as BEHIND ENEMY LINES, I, ROBOT, MISS MARCH and THE DARKEST HOUR. He has also produced two Low Budget Independent films: MADE IN CHINA, which made it’s festival premiere in 2009 at SxSW where it won the Grand Jury Prize in narrative competition, and WHAT LOLA WANTS which is currently in Post Production. Monnie resides in Gardner Junction, Los Angeles.