Film Financing Conference

(480 mins)

A full day of panels and workshops to discuss the current trends in film financing, production, and distribution. Panelists include: Christian Gaines (Without a Box); Sacha Gervasi (Director Anvil: The Story of Anvil), Sten Iversen (Montana Film Office), Scott Kirsner (author, Fans, Friends & Followers), Ted Murndorff (Landmark Theatres), Jean Prewitt (IFTA), Paul Schmit (Film Finances), and Ryan Werner (IFC). A full day of panels and workshops to discuss the current trends in film financing, production, and distribution. 

SCHEDULE

8:00 am Check-in 

9:00 am Introduction to the Conference 

9:15 am Keynote Address

James D. Stern, CEO, Endgame Entertainment

 

10:15 am  The World As We Know It: Is it Over?

The independent film world is rapidly changing. With the financial credit crunch production capital has all but disappeared; the printed media that validates and serves to market films is in shambles; and the traditional distribution models are in flux. As the structures that support the film industry’s ecosystem collapse, we ask, is it all gloom and doom, or an opportunity for great change?  Key players in the industry give an assessment of the current state of affairs and how they see the industry evolving.   

Moderator Anne Thompson, Thompson on Hollywood blog

Laura Bickford, Laura Bickford Productions

Christian Gaines, Withoutabox, a Division of IMDb.com

Ted Mundorff, Landmark Theatres

Bob Teitel, Producer, Notorious

Adam Yauch, Oscilloscope Laboratories

OR Independent Financing Models: The Old and the New

As the global economy changes, technology advances, and the film industry adjusts, inventive new ways of finding money share the stage with some tried and proven methods of financing movies. This introductory overview includes an explanation of traditional film financing structures and terminology and gives a peek into recent experiences in financing through the Internet. 

Presented by Peter Broderick, Paradigm Consulting

Irwin Rappaport, P.C. 

12:00 noon Homegrown: Domestic Film Incentives

Local state governments continue to create competitive incentives to bring film productions into their communities ---the latest being California. What is the real impact of subsidies, tax credits, and rebates on your budget’s bottom line? What productions qualify to take advantage of these opportunities? And most importantly, how do you turn soft money into cash? The panel will provide an up to date review on domestic incentives.   

Moderator Jean Prewitt, IFTA

Sten Iversen, Montana Film Office

Amy Lemisch, California Film Commission

Barbara Rosenfeld, Entertainment Partners

OR Financing Clinic: Packaging Tips from the Pros

Participants in the Los Angeles Film Festival Fast Track Program pitch their projects to a panel of experts and get advice on how to leverage their projects’ elements into an attractive package for financiers and investors. The panelists’ specific feedback and practical advice will provide useful packaging and financing tips for all. 

Moderator Paula Manzanedo Schmit, Film Finances, Inc.

Stephanie Allain, Producer, Black Snake Moan

Michael Donaldson, Donaldson & Callif

Brian Kavanaugh Jones, CAA

Meg Morman, Morman Boling Casting 

1:30 pm LUNCH  

2:45 pm Crossing Borders: Global Film Markets

Producers, financiers, and sales agents explore the international economic crisis’ impact on the movie business and give pointers on foreign financing, pre-sales, and co-production opportunities. 

Moderator Wendy Reeds, Mandate International

Stuart Ford, IM Global

Dan Griffiths, Trans-Pacific Media

Trevor Macy, Intrepid Pictures

Hal Sadoff, ICM    

OR Case Studies:  Taking your Film into the Marketplace

Hear independent filmmakers give a first-hand account of how they released their films. With three detailed case studies of how these films found their way into the marketplace we will provide a snapshot of the independent film business in transition.     

Moderator   Peter Broderick, Paradigm

Jen Dubin, Producer, Good Dick

Sacha Gervasi, Director, Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Cora Olson, Producer, Good Dick

Jon Reiss, Director/Producer, Bomb It 

4:30 pm Digital Distribution: The Future is Here, But Where is the Money?

With the rise of social networking sites and alternative distribution platforms, technology is finally ready to deliver content on demand anywhere in the planet.  Filmmakers have taken note and are seizing these tools to distribute their films and establish a direct, ongoing dialogue with their audience. As the distribution gatekeepers seem to lose their power, consumers take the driver’s seat with the click of a mouse, while content creators are still scrambling to figure out the new revenue models.  Filmmakers and key players in digital distribution share their experience and provide some insight on how to monetize content on the web. 

Moderator Scott Kirsner, Author, Fans, Friends, and Followers

Rick Allen, Snagfilms

Patrick Creadon, Director, I.O.U.S.A.

David Fenkel, Oscilloscope Laboratories

OR In 3D:  The Economics of 3D for Independents

The increasing number of studio blockbusters released in 3D and the recent deployment of 3D technology to the multiplex suggest that 3D films have finally come of age and are here to stay.  But beyond the tent-pole film, is 3D viable for smaller budget art house and genre fare?  With a group of technology experts and independent producers who have dipped their toes in the 3D world, we explore the realistic possibilities of 3D for Indies.     

Moderator Carolyn Giardina, The Hollywood Reporter

Buzz Hays, Sony Pictures Imageworks

Patrick Lussier, Director, My Bloody Valentine 3D

Max Penner, Paradise FX 

6:00 pm Reception

Sponsored by

FILM FINANCING CONFERENCE PASS $200 / $150 FIND Member 

PURCHASE PASSES

There are three easy ways to buy.  

ON THE WEB  LAFilmFest.com 

ON THE PHONE  866.FILMFEST (345.6337)

All tickets and passes may be purchased by phone with American Express, Visa, or Mastercard.

June 12 – June 19       10 a.m. – 7 p.m daily 

IN PERSON

At the Ticketing Center

1038 Westwood Blvd. (between Kinross and Weyburn)

June 12 – June 18        10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

June 19      10 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

At the door on day of event. 

June 20      Check-in starts at 8 a.m. 

Web and phone sales subject to a $2.50 handling charge per order. 

Sponsored By:

Montana Film Office, Surpin & Mayersohn, LLP

For ticketing information please phone 1-866-345-6337 or email boxoffice@filmindependent.org