Indie Film's Finest Gather for Craft Roundtables in 2025

In November 2025, IndieWire is set to roll out its inaugural Craft Roundtables series, a collection of panel discussions celebrating the finest cinematic artistry of the year. Moderated by IndieWire features writer Jim Hemphill, the roundtables will bring together top talent in cinematography, casting, production design, and editing to discuss their work on films expected to be part of the awards conversation.

According to IndieWire's senior VP and Editor in Chief Dana Harris-Bridson, the roundtables will provide a "masterclass and creative reset" on the craft of filmmaking, showcasing the "lived experience of some of the most inventive artists working today." The cinematography panel will feature interviews with DPs Adolpho Veloso, Malik Hassan Sayeed, Michael Bauman, and William Rexer, while the casting roundtable will include Nina Gold, Margery Simkin, and Jessica Ronane.

Production designers Cara Brower, Sam Bader, Alexandra Schaller, Scott Chambliss, Dylan Cole, and Ben Proctor will also participate, along with editors Kirk Baxter, Alfonso Goncalves, Michael P. Shawver, Andy Jurgenson, Pamela Martin, Saar Klein, and Luke Lynch. The Craft Roundtables series aims to shine a light on the artistry and expertise shaping the future of filmmaking.