This was really a forum for producers. A lot of people say that it’s important for any independent filmmaker to be well-versed in all aspects of filmmaking. I agree with the idea behind that statement. That said, the AFM Film Forum was really for specialists, namely, producers.
I’ll say this, the people who can thrive as independent film producers (I’m looking at you Ted Hope) are truly gifted people. Not only do they have to be brilliant at business (not my specialty) but the film market is changing so rapidly these days that it’s hard to call it a market at all. If anything, I’d call it a swap meet, with just about as many rules.