IFC’s Signature Series “Split Screen” Returns September 4

The Independent Film Channel (IFC) announced today a new season of its signature series, Split Screen, created and hosted by indie film guru, John Pierson. The series continues to break ground with a fresh, new format delving even further into the world of independent film and the minds and personalities that shape it. The fun begins again on September 4 at 8:00 PM/ET with a new season that promises to deliver more of Pierson’s signature Hollywood irreverence but with a new twist for 2000.

Facing Pierson in 2000 is a bevy of accomplished, New York-based producers, directors, writers and actors committed to making films on their own terms. Scheduled guests include Frances McDormand (Fargo, Lone Star); David O. Russell (Spanking the Monkey, Flirting With Disaster, Three Kings); Ted Hope (The Brothers McMullen, Ice Storm, Happiness); James Schamus (Safe, Sense and Sensibility, She’s The One); Christine Vachon (Boys Don’t Cry, Velvet Goldmine, I Shot Andy Warhol) and Buck Henry (The Graduate, To Die For, Short Cuts).

Featured guests will sit down with Pierson for a provocative tjte-`-tjte at The Screening Room, one of New York’s premiere indie film venues. Following the interview, the series features a short and titillating segment shot in documentary style and inspired by John Boorman’s popular book series, Projections. The series’ second segment aims to reveal the influences and challenges that inspire the most innovative and prolific indie filmmakers of our era.

Pierson is a virtual icon in the world of independent film. His notable contributions include his 1997 book, Spike, Mike, Slackers & Dykes, which chronicled a decade of his experiences in the independent film business and which Rolling Stone called, “the most contentiously witty and revealing view of off-Hollywood around.” He is also credited with helping to jumpstart the careers of acclaimed directors Spike Lee, Michael Moore and Richard Linklater. In 1997 he served as executive producer for Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy, one of the most successful films independent films in recent history.