Independent Filmmaking in the Rockies: Production in Colorado
About this Live Online Event
Independent cinema thrives far beyond the traditional hubs of Los Angeles and New York. Join us for an inspiring, practical conversation on building a sustainable creative life and producing acclaimed independent films in Colorado: the new home of the Sundance Film Festival.
In this live, online event, director Max Walker-Silverman and producer Jesse Hope (A Love Song, Rebuilding) will share their firsthand experiences living and producing stories in the American West. Together, they will dive into the nuances of local creative collaboration, sourcing regional talent, and leveraging the distinct landscape to elevate their films. Colorado Film Commissioner Lauren Sloan will join the conversation to discuss the production incentives, grants, and other resources available from the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media (COFTM). The session will close with a live audience Q&A, during which attendees can ask questions about filming in Colorado, working with film commissions, and cultivating an independent film community within their own state.
This event features the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, which attracts and facilitates content creation in the state to generate economic growth. It promotes the state's film and television industry locally, nationally, and internationally while highlighting Colorado's unique rural areas. Visit their website to learn more about the state’s resources.
If you would benefit from an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please complete this form, contact us at (435) 776-7790, or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to discuss your specific requests. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; however, requests made within 5 days of the event may not be guaranteed.
A recording of this session will be posted to Film Club within two business days of the live event. Everyone who registers for this session will receive an email with a link to view the recording when it is posted!
Live Online EventPeople
Lauren Grimshaw Sloan
Lauren Grimshaw Sloan is the Film Commissioner of Colorado within the Office of Economic Development. Prior to her current role, Lauren was the Director of Artist Development at SeriesFest, where she spearheaded all professional development initiatives for emerging episodic content creators including the Womens Directing Mentorship Program in partnership with Shondaland, the Executive Elevation Mentorship Program for aspiring executives of color and Pitch-A-Thons at the Toronto International Film Festival, SXSW, Second City and more. In addition to being a top programmer for its annual Denver-based festival, Lauren also produced its live read in partnership with SAG-AFTRA. Before joining SeriesFest, Lauren served as Deputy Film Commissioner at the Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media. In that capacity, she was instrumental in bringing major feature films like Furious 7, Cop Car, and Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight to Colorado by managing the state's film incentive program.
Prior to moving to Denver, Lauren was a Production Executive at Red Crown Productions in New York, working on independent feature films including What Maisie Knew (starring Julianne Moore and Alexander Skarsgård), Goats (featuring David Duchovny and Vera Farmiga), and The Romantics (with Katie Holmes and Josh Duhamel).
Lauren holds a degree in Film & Television from Pennsylvania State University.
Jesse Hope
Jesse Hope is an independent film producer based in southwest Colorado. Named one of Variety's 10 Producers to Watch in 2025, he has produced Max Walker-Silverman's A Love Song (Sundance, Berlinale 2022) and Rebuilding (Sundance 2025), and Ramzi Bashour's Hot Water (Sundance 2026).
Max Walker-Silverman
Max Walker-Silverman is a filmmaker from southwest Colorado. His first feature, A Love Song (2022), premiered at Sundance and the Berlinale and was nominated for multiple Gotham and Independent Spirit Awards, including the John Cassavetes Award. His second feature, Rebuilding (2025), starring Josh O'Connor, premiered at Sundance and was distributed by Bleecker Street and MK2. He produced Ramzi Bashour's Hot Water (Sundance, 2026) which is slated for theatrical release in the fall. While a student at NYU Graduate Film his short films Lefty/Righty and Chuj Boys of Summer won many awards including the Kodak Vision Award, the SXSW Jury Prize, and Vimeo Staff Picks. He lives and works where he grew up in the mountains.