Are you a filmmaker, actor, or producer eager to get their work in front of industry veterans?

Ten years ago, Dave Brown found a way to make this happen for the West Coast entertainment community: he created Indie Night, the world’s first and only weekly film festival.

The Indie Night Film Festival is still going strong each Saturday at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, and Dave Brown still considers it a great way to break down barriers for members of the industry along with creating opportunities for creatives. 

The networking event started small but now has grown into a well-attended event where guests enjoy mingling and watching 5-7 new projects from various filmmakers in a supportive and informal setting. Screenings can include short films, web series, feature films, trailers, even commercials.

Each week’s entries can also be screened online via Indie Night On Demand for anyone who can’t make it or wants to rewatch a favorite submission.

Guests always include plenty of successful actors, producers, directors, composers or other professionals, as well as film students, independent filmmakers, or anyone wanting to network and learn.

Past Indie Nights have included visits by Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, longtime actor Morris Chestnut, prominent casting director Robi Reed, and Ruth Carter, the first Black to win an Oscar for Best Costume Design.

Brown is the son of civil rights activist and pastor The Rev. Amos Brown. He learned at an early age to be mindful of others.

While studying theater arts at Morehouse College in Atlanta, he became friends with Morris Chestnut, then a fellow student with dreams of stardom. After graduating, Morris Chestnut moved to Hollywood and invited Dave Brown west too when he finished school, along with sharing all sorts of show-biz do’s and don’ts.

Once there, they each became involved in acting and producing, and also became friends with Jamie Foxx.

Dave Brown was still having difficulties getting to know people, so in 2012, he thought it would be fun and useful to create a regular networking group. So, he came up with the idea of the festival.

As a result of his diligence and perseverance, Dave Brown has been awarded the John Singleton Impact Award, given in memory of the director, screenwriter and producer.

Dave Brown recently announced bigger plans for Indie Night: there will now be regional film festivals held around the country, including Miami, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and New York City. The top entries from each of these communities will be invited to screen their films at a future Hollywood festival.

For more information, including upcoming schedules, visitindienightfilmfestival.com or follow @indienightff on Instagram.