Makoto Shinkai (新海 誠) appeared at the last "New York Anime Festival" (within the New York Comic Con) in 2011 for a screening of his new movie "Children Who Chase Lost Voices" (星を追う子ども), as well as an interview and Q&A. Here is the directed portion of the interview conducted by NYAF/NYCC. Translation not directed at the audience was cut. As an interesting side note, we (GeekNights) had not intended to video this event. While press, we assumed that plenty of other people would have their equipment on-hand. Upon arrival, however, we discovered that there was almost no press presence. I couldn't let this wonderful interview exist solely in the form of fan cameras from the audience, so I turned up maximum image stabilization and stood for the full event at the side of the room holding the camera as steady as possible. The room was noisy, and there was a great deal of background noise from outside the room. I removed as much as possible. The moral? If you're a journalist at a convention, carry your tripod and shotgun mic even if you expect any video to be redundant. ;^) Thanks to Rym DeCoster for setting his camera up to record this.

What happens when you gather a number of over-the-top independent developer personalities in one spot and ask what's wrong with the current state of the industry? We're about to find out. Watch with mouth agape as eight highly regarded indies step on stage with nothing but a microphone and a conviction. Things will get ugly. Words will be had. Things will be said that cannot be unsaid. Get ready for the rants. Panelists: Alex Schwartz [Responsible for Smuggle/snuggle Truck, Owlchemy Labs], Tim Ambrogi [Responsible for Jamestown, Final Form Games], Matt Gilgenbach [Responsible for Retro/Grade. 24 Caret Games], Eithan Gilnert [Responsible for Slam Bolt Scrappers, Fire Hose Games], Jamie Gotch [Respinsible for Fieldrunners, Subatomic Studios], Ichiro Lambe [Responsible for AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!!. Dejobaan Games], Andy Nealen [Responsible for Osmos, Hemisphere Games], Richard Perrin [Responsible for Kairo, Locked Door Puzzle]

You've got 45 seconds to deliver your idea to our panel of experts. The top three pitches will be picked for prizes and swag! (Please note that this is an open forum - there's nothing keeping anyone, judges and attendees alike, from stealing your ideas! If you're not comfortable with this, please don't pitch your idea!) Special thanks to Down In Front Productions for recording this back in the day.

See The Protomen perform at PAX Prime 2013.