'Like Crazy' Director Drake Doremus Reacts to Next Gen 2011 List (Video)

At an event at Milk Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday night, the agents, filmmakers execs and actors of The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen 2011 gathered with supporters of the Motion Picture & Television Fund to celebrate the annual list and experience an evening of readings which told the stories of industry members and their families who have benefitted from MPTF’s services over the years.

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Drake Doremus, who directed the Sundance-winning romantic drama Like Crazy talked to The Hollywood Reporter about being included on the list.

“It’s a true honor. There are so many great people on the list. So to be grouped in with them, it’s really exciting,” Doremus said.

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Like Crazy, which was bought by Paramount at Sundance last year and was released in theaters on October 28, has seen great success, praised for the performances of the stars Felicity Jones (who was also a part of Next Gen Class of 2011) and Anton Yelchin.

“When we premiered the film at Sundance earlier this year we didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “It’s amazing to watch people connect with it.”

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Doremus also shared some advice for other young filmmakers who may aspire to be on THR’s Next Gen list in the future.

“Go make the movies you want to make. Don’t let anybody get in your way and don’t let budgetary concerns stop you from making your film. Set a deadline and make it, don’t let anyone stop you," he said.

The event, held at Milk Studios, was hosted by Robert Downey Jr. and featured readings performed by Jodie Foster, Jennifer Garner, Chris Pine, Nick Offerman and Josh Brolin. “Reel Stories, Real Lives” features readings which tell the stories of industry members and their families who have benefitted from MPTF’s services over the years. A gallery exhibited also features photography by Scott Caan and Jeff Bridges.

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THR’s Next Gen list features a select group of 35 people working in the industry under the age of 35. Among those included on this year’s list are: Armie Hammer, actor in J. Edgar; Adepero Oduye, actress in Pariah; Elizabeth Olsen from Martha Marcy May Marlene; Lauren Abrahams, director of production at Columbia Pictures; and Dana Archer, EVP at DDA PR.

Over the years, the list has also included Stacey Snider, Mike De Luca, Ari Emanuel, Amy Baer, Ben Silverman, Sue Naegle, Donna Langley and Kevin Huvane.