Legal Basics for Indie Filmmakers: Protecting Your Films and Friendships

Synopsis

When making a film or even collaborating with your friends on a creative project, discussing contracts can feel transactional. Talking about legalities feels awkward, but avoiding paperwork can quietly destroy your project. A single unregistered script draft or missing release form can disrupt your film overnight. Entertainment and intellectual property lawyer Xerxes Ranina breaks down copyright protection, exploitative contracts and credit usage that creative professionals must navigate to safeguard their work. Discover how to protect yourself and your team legally, manage your film’s lifecycle and resolve disputes before they escalate. Bring your active projects, contracts and any burning legal questions for guidance.

Speakers

Xerxes RaninaPanelistXerxes Ranina is an entertainment and IP lawyer who structures copyright, licensing and co-production agreements for studios and independent creators. He authored Who Owns What? to demystify contracts and enable creative professionals to safeguard their intellectual property.

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