Editor

Independent Filmmaker Project Minnesota (IFP MN) is proud to announce the first in a six-part Master Class Series made possible by a generous grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Presented throughout 2014, IFP MN's Master Class Series offers the local arts community privileged access to an array of film and media innovators impacting the industry and culture. These six Master Classes add depth to the organization's professional development programs and help further its mission to advance a vibrant and diverse community of independent film and media artists. IFP MN's Master Class Series promises to make a significant and meaningful contribution to the Minnesota film community. 

The series kicks off with award-winning filmmaker/author Hannah Weyer and actress Anna Simpson on April 24, from 7 to 9 pm at the Loft Literary Center, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis. This Master Class, free and open to the public, is preceded by a reception and followed by a book signing.

Weyer will read from her debut novel, On The Come Up--nominated for a 2014 NAACP Image Award and a 2013 Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection--and screen scenes from the award-winning film, Our Song (starring Anna Simpson and Kerry Washington), which inspired the novel. Weyer's impassioned and propulsive debut novel is based on a true story about a headstrong girl from Far Rockaway, Queens, who is trying to find her place in the world. The Master Class will also include a conversation and Q&A with Weyer and actress/collaborator Simpson, in which they'll discuss their careers and unique collaboration process. 

Hannah Weyer's narrative and documentary films have been screened at the Human Rights Watch and New York film festivals and have won awards at the Sundance, Locarno, Melbourne, Doubletake, and South by Southwest film festivals. Her screenwriting credits include Life Support (2007), directed by Nelson George, which earned a Golden Globe Award for its lead actress, Queen Latifah, and Angel (2005), directed by Jim McKay and starring Rachel Giffiths. Weyer's other notable films include the acclaimed documentaries La Boda and Escuela. Weyer has worked with teens in the media arts for the past fifteen years and, along with her husband, filmmaker Jim McKay, started an after-school film club at a public high school in Brooklyn. 

When Anna Simpson was fifteen, she auditioned for a part in Our Song, competing against over one hundred other teens. Three callbacks later, Simpson won the heart of the director, Jim McKay, and landed one of the lead roles, acting alongside Kerry Washington. Following the success of her heart-warming performance, Simpson was cast in several other movies, including Everyday People, Sherrybaby, Angel, and Liberty Kid. 

IFP MN's Master Class Series will continue May 3, with a conversation and Q&A session with Sundance Director John Cooper as a part of IFP MN's 15th Annual Filmmaker Conference. More information on John Cooper's Master Class, future Master Classes, and the 15th Annual Filmmaker Conference coming soon.