An abundance of panel discussions from various perspectives of the film industry are scheduled for the 2009 festival.   May 15- American Pavilion will host a discussion with Francis Ford Coppola, 5:30-7pmMay 16- Short Film Corner to host a conference entitled 'Focus on Scandinavian Short Film Industry', 4pm  May 17- American Pavilion will host a discussion with American directors in Cannes with panelists: Lynn Shelton ("Humpday"), Lee Daniels ("Precious"), Josh and Be...

For the first time ever, audiences will be able to see first-run independent movie releases everywhere in the United States. New York-based film company Gigantic Releasing is changing the face of U.S. indie film distribution with today's launch of Gigantic Digital (www.giganticdigital.com). The website will enable anyone in the US with a broadband connection to access Gigantic's first-run feature films in markets where there is no theatrical distribution. Releases will go up "day-and-date" with ...