Meet The Filmmaker: Interviews From 2007–2009

Join critically-acclaimed filmmakers Javor Gardev, Barry Jenkins, Joe Maggio, Matthew Newton, and Joe Swanberg along with IFC Film's Ryan Werner for a group discussion, moderated by indieWIRE editor in chief Eugene Hernandez, of their work and new technologies in film distribution. The films these directors are screening at this year's SXSW festival will be simultaneously available nationwide on demand through IFC Festival Direct, as part of a special initiative by IFC Films and SXSW. The films include Javor Gardev's neo-noir "Zift", Bulgaria's official 2009 Oscar entry; Barry Jenkins' Independent Spirit and Gotham award-nominated "Medicine For Melancholy"; Joe Maggio's poignant drama "Paper Covers Rock"; the U.S. premiere of Matthew Newton's dark comedy "Three Blind Mice"; and the world premiere of Joe Swanberg's "Alexander The Last."

In "Explicit Ills", the actor-turned-director Mark Webber juggles four vignettes of addiction and damage in lower-depths Philadelphia. The story follows four inter-connecting lives revolving around love, drugs and poverty: Babo, an asthma ridden seven-year-old lives with his mother in the badlands of North Philly; his neighbor Demetri transforms himself into a well-read "smart" boy in order to get the girl; Michelle, a well-off art student is quick to fall into a drug induced love-affair with her dealer Jacob; and Kaleef and Jill's marriage is strained as they pursue their dreams of bringing "produce to the people" as their teenage son Heslin focuses on competing in the World's Strongest Man competition. "Explicit Ills" released in theater March 6, 2009. http://www.explicitillsthemovie.com/

Director Alex Proyas (I, Robot and Dark City) discusses his new film starring Nicolas Cage (Adaptation) and Rose Byrne (Damages). John Koestler (Cage), a professor, finds that the contents of a time capsule at his son's elementary school makes predictions of the future that have come true. The predictions lead the teacher to believe the world is ending, and that he and his son are involved in the apocalypse. http://knowing-themovie.com/

Joss Whedon, creator of the groundbreaking cult favorites, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Firefly," returns to television and reunites with fellow "Buffy" alumna, Eliza Dushku, for the thrilling new drama, "Dollhouse." In this podcast, Joss and Dushku discuss the making of the new show and his career. Fox premiered "Dollhouse" on Friday, February 13, 2009. http://www.fox.com/dollhouse/

Podcast description: Oscar-nominated filmmaker Marc Forster ("Monster's Ball", "Finding Neverland") discusses his range as a director – tackling many film genres with great critical acclaim – and his experience as the latest filmmaker to tackle the Bond film franchise with his box office hit "Quantum of Solace". The latest Bond installment will soon be available for download from the iTunes Film store. http://www.007.com/

Hear these accomplished actors as they discuss their roles in the highly anticipated blockbuster film from Warner Bros. Patrick Wilson plays Nite Owl II, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan plays The Comedian in director Zack Snyder's adaptation of the Dave Gibbons graphic novel. "Watchmen" opened in theaters March 6, 2009. http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/

World-renowned chef and author Mario Batali discusses his TV program "Spain...On the Road Again" – the ultimate road trip adventure, showcasing the pleasures of Spain, the country's regional cuisine, art, history, and culture, as they've never been seen before. "Spain...On the Road Again" airs on PBS and is available for download from the iTunes store. http://spainontheroadagain.com/index.shtml

Director Zack Snyder ("300") discusses his highly anticipated film "Watchmen" with the film's Visual Effects team Pete Travers and John "DJ" DesJardins. The discussion is moderated by DC Comics' Gregory Noveck. The film adaptation of "Watchmen" is based on the 1986 comic book limited series of the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Set in 1985, the film follows a group of former vigilantes as tensions heighten between the United States and the Soviet Union. "Watchmen" releases into theaters March 6, 2009. http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/

Filmmaker James Gray ("Little Odessa", "We Own The Night") discusses his upcoming film "Two Lovers" with Talk Cinema's Harlan Jacobson. Set in the insular world of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, "Two Lovers" is a classic romantic drama, with Joaquin Phoenix giving a raw and vulnerable performance as Leonard, a charismatic but troubled young man who moves back into his childhood home following a recent heartbreak. The film also stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Vinessa Shaw. "Two Lovers" premiered in competition at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in May. This film is Gray's third to enter the competition at Cannes. The film released on VOD January 16, 2009, and had a limited theatrical release on February 13, 2009.

Actor/writer Danny McBride ("Pineapple Express", "Tropic Thunder") and writer/director Jody Hill ("The Foot Fist Way") tell Saturday Night Live's Bill Hader all about their latest creation, the new HBO comedy series, "Eastbound & Down". The dark comic series stars McBride as Kenny Powers, a former Major League pitcher who had it all: fame, endorsements, a rich contract, and throngs of fans, but now works as a substitute Phys. Ed teacher. The six episode series debuts on HBO February 15 and will be available on the iTunes Store later this year. http://www.hbo.com/eastboundanddown/

Graphic artist Dave Gibbons discusses the evolution of his cult favorite graphic novel "Watchmen" into a blockbuster film releasing from Warner Bros in theaters March 6, 2009. Gibbons collaborated with Alan Moore on the 12-issue limited series, now one of the best-selling graphic novels of all time, and the only one to feature on Time's "Top 100 Novels" list. http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/

Comedian Demetri Martin (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) discusses his new Comedy Central show, Important Things with Demetri Martin, at the Apple Store, SoHo with Daily Show correspondent John Oliver, and takes questions from the audience. Important Things with Demetri Martin premiered February 11th on Comedy Central, and is available to download from the iTunes Store.

Writer Jay McInerney (Bright Lights, Big City) moderated this behind-the-scenes discussion with Gossip Girl Executive Producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage discussing how the hit TV show is written, produced and marketed. Gossip Girl Seasons 1 and 2 are available on the iTunes Store. New episodes of Gossip Girl are available on iTunes the day after it airs on the CW.

Director/producer Jon Avnet discusses the making of his film "Righteous Kill" and the acting tour de force of the film's stars: veteran Academy Award winners Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino. "Righteous Kill" opened in theaters September 12, 2008.

Join actor and filmmaker Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket) as he discusses the making of his short film, I Think I Thought.

Paul Haggis is the first screenwriter to write back-to-back Oscar winners for Best Picture: Million Dollar Baby and Crash, which he also directed and produced. Haggis speaks about his latest film projects: the Academy Award–nominated In the Valley of Elah (which he wrote, directed, and produced), and the upcoming Quantum of Solace and Ranger's Apprentice.

Hear some up-and-coming filmmakers whose movies were screened at this year's Tribeca Film Festival.

A founding member of the hip-hop trio Beastie Boys, Adam Yauch has also earned filmmaking cred by directing Awesome, I Shot That! and Gunnin' for That #1 Spot (screened this year at the Tribeca Film Festival). In this session, Yauch discusses his unique approach to filmmaking.

Screenwriter, director, and producer Harmony Korine (Gummo, Julien Donkey-Boy) discusses Mister Lonely, his third feature film.

Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet, Big Night, Fearless) discusses her directorial debut: the experimental Green Porno, a series of short films she also conceived, wrote, and appears in.