The documentary format has undergone a startling renaissance as a mass-entertainment product over the last five years, thanks to the reality TV boom paving the way for such nonfiction films as Super-Size Me, Spellbound, and March Of The Penguins to entertain while still being socially relevant. Our panel of documentarians will share their experiences making award-winning documentary films and answer your questions about working in this exciting and unique genre.

Marine biologist PAUL DETWILER studied filmmaking in the Bay Area. His science background and interest in multimedia led him to specialize in environmental documentary production. He traveled to Australia to produce "The Natural and Cultural History of the Dingo" for the San Diego Natural History Museum. His short documentary "Seoul to Soul" premiered at the San Diego Asian Film Festival in 2006.

UCSD film professor WOLFGANG HASTERT is an award-winning German filmmaker with more than 10 long form documentaries to his credit that have premiered on the French/German channel ARTE. His films include "Big Stories," about dieting and the Fat Acceptance Movement; "Click Me," on the world of cyber love; and "Varga Girl," about illustrator Alberto Vargas, which won the Silver Hugo award at the Chicago Film Festival.

Multiple Emmy Award winner NICK NORDQUIST has dozens of films to his credit covering a range of subject matter as varied as gay singles bowling and the socio-economic ramifications of big box retail. A 1989 SDSU grad, Nick's most recent Emmy was for 2005's "Reclaiming Your Dream." He also worked on a Sylvester Stallone training video and the KPBS series "The Short List."

Keep your 2007 New Year's Resolution to network with your San Diego filmmaking peers from 5:30 to 6:30, then stay to learn the ins and outs of documentary filmmaking!

Don't forget to bring your business cards and head shots! And please be sure to tell everyone you know in the San Diego filmmaking community about this exciting, free event. See you there.

(scheduled guest speaker and content subject to change)