"As a former IIACI intern, I can speak to the great opportunity that this internship provides. I gained a great deal of knowledge and confidence about my opportunities within the film industry, and I would very strongly encourage anyone who has an interest or passion about either the creative or business aspects of the film industry to look into this program. 

It is my personal opinion that the experience you get from this program cannot be found anywhere else."  --- Alan Lazer

[Alan Lazer was an undergraduate student of Dr. Dill's in Seminar In Creativity and Directed Independent Studies when he was selected to be an IIACI ACADEMIC INTERN™.  Alan is now in Graduate School at USC for his MFA in Screenwriting.]

More from Alan ...

"Just a few of the experiences I had during this internship included:

1) A screening of one of my films in the Short Film Corner at Cannes

2) A more intimate screening of one of my films during the IIACI Showcase at the end of the program, in front of up and coming film students from across the country, and various industry professionals.

3) Sit downs at round table interviews with Academy Award nominated directors Mike Leigh (Happy Go Lucky, Another Year) and Stephen Frears (High Fidelity, Dangerous Liasons), and panel interviews with Hollywood stars such as James Franco, Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams and others.

4) A wallet full (or more) of business cards and contact information from several peers who are looking to break into the film industry just like me.

5) Daily interaction with the industry professionals who oversee the program. The faculty ranged from big time producers of film such as The Ring, an Oscar nominated sound designer for Inglorious Basterds, to a leading figure in experimental and avant-garde cinema. I literally saw these people every day, and was able to have sit down conversations with them on a regular basis."