Presenters: Ron Scott, Detroit Public Access and The Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality (moderator); Lonette McKee, Actress and Producer; Sultan Sharrief, The Student EFEX Program of The University of Michigan; Rola Nashef, Independent Filmmaker; Oya Amakisi, The Detroit International Women of Color Film Festival

Michigan is seeing a flood of film industry-related jobs as a result of our state's generous tax incentive program. Clint Eastwood has called Michigan the "next film capitol of the world." But in order for the film industry to leave a lasting positive impact on our communities, we need to be more than the backdrop for Hollywood films. We need independent film and video production that emerges from the imagination and innovation of Detroiters. This panel will highlight the important work being done in this area by the student EFEX program of the University of Michigan, independent filmmaker Rola Nashef, renown actress and producer Lonette Mckee and director of the Detroit International Women of Color Film Festival, Oya Amakisi. Long-time independent media producer and Detroit activist, Ron Scott will moderate this panel, advancing a discussion about what kind of infrastructure we can build to support the creative media-based economies of our city and region.