Darrien M. Gipson

Darrien Michele Gipson is the Executive Director of SAGindie, an educational organization for independent filmmakers. Darrien is a graduate of UCLA, where she received her BA in English Literature; and USC, where she earned an MFA from the Peter Stark Producers Program. She was the Vice President of Development for DEF Pictures before joining SAGindie in 2002 as Festival Coordinator. Through SAGindie, she traveled extensively to film festivals, film schools, and conferences, hosting workshops and teaching filmmakers how to hire professional actors using SAG-AFTRA's low budget contracts. Since becoming SAGindie's Executive Director in 2006, Darrien has expanded the organization to reach more festivals and help even more creators on all platforms to bring their projects to fruition. She continues to travel around the world speaking on panels, mentoring writers and filmmakers, and championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the entertainment industry. Darrien's favorite book about moviemaking is As You Wish: Inconceivable Takes from the Making of THE PRINCESS BRIDE by Cary Elwes. It includes amazing behind-the-scenes information about the best movie ever made (she will fight you on that). Darrien especially loves how Elwes has different cast members write their own memories throughout the book. It might be lighthearted and irreverent, but it is done with sincerity and just made her happy. Just like maewidge, it bwings us togetheh.