2008 SCHEDULE AND TOPICS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26:

7:00 pm SCREENING OF THE BROTHERS BLOOM
The Brothers Bloom are the best con men in the world, swindling millionaires with complex scenarios of lust and intrigue. Now they’ve decided to take one last job—show a beautiful and eccentric heiress the time of her life with a romantic adventure that takes them around the world. Starring Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, and Rinko Kikuchi

Followed by a Q&A with producers Ram Bergman, Wendy Japhet, and James Stern

9:30 pm RECEPTION

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27:

9:00 am INTRODUCTION TO THE CONFERENCE

9:15 am KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Ted Hope, This is that Corporation
Ted Hope has produced over 50 independent films. He takes particular joy in first features, having produced 14 of them. His extensive list of credits includes, The Savages, American Splendor, 21 Grams, Lovely & Amazing, Human Nature, and Happiness.

10:15 am FINDING THE FINANCIAL SWEET SPOT
In today's volatile marketplace, is there still a success formula for independent filmmaking? Join us on a search for answers as we explore a range of budget levels: from the low six figures to $20 million. What's the sweet spot now?

Moderator: Ted Kroeber, producer, Four Sheets to the Wind

Lynette Howell, Silverwood Films
Joe Neurauter, Occupant Films
Sean McKittrick, Darko Entertainment
Midge Sanford, Sanford/Pillsbury Productions

OR
WHAT’S UP DOC?
Once viewed as a second-class citizen to narrative features, the documentary has evolved in the last decade to become a popular form; generating buzz at film festivals, viewed as financially viable fare by distributors, and attracting broader audiences. Accomplished documentary filmmakers explore current issues affecting their practice, such as theatrical vs. cable releases, shrinking box-office returns, and maintaining their vision in the reality TV era.

Moderator: Eddie Schmidt, Executive Director, IDA

Arthur Dong, producer/director, Hollywood Chinese
Davis Guggenheim, producer/director, An Inconvenient Truth
Freida Lee Mock, producer/director, Wrestling with Angels: Playwright Tony Kushner
Marina Zenovich, producer/director, Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired

12 noon THE MICRO BUDGET FILM AS A CALLING CARD
Learn from filmmakers who launched their careers with distinctive films that cost less than $100K. We’ll hear an honest account of these filmmakers’ journey, from the inception of the project through production, the festival circuit, and their experiences distributing the films.

Moderator: Effie T. Brown, producer, Rocket Science

Jay Duplass, producer/director, Baghead
Mark Duplass, producer/director, Baghead
Azazel Jacobs, director, Momma’s Man
Brett Spackman, producer, Coyote
Richard Wong, director/producer, Colma: The Musical

OR
THE DOCUMENTARY MARKETPLACE
Who funds and who buys documentary films? What are the major distribution outlets? From cable and public television to niche production companies, foundations, and house parties, documentary filmmakers are masters at putting together unique financing packages for their films and conceiving innovative distribution strategies. Filmmakers and representatives from key financing sources give specific advice on where and how to get the money for your doc.

Moderator: Cara Mertes, Sundance Institute

Sasha Alpert, Bunim/Murray Productions
Jackie Glover, HBO Documentary Films
John Lightfoot, California Council for the Humanities
Richard Saiz, ITVS
Courtney Sexton, Participant Productions

OR
NEW TOOLS FOR AUDIENCE BUILDING
New rules need new tools, right? Join filmmakers and new media pioneers as they show you where to start and what you need in order to build an audience---from tools to tips & tricks. Once you have an audience how do you keep them engaged? How can you turn an audience member into an evangelist? Get the answers to these questions and more.

Moderator: Lance Weiler, filmmaker/founder, The Workbook Project

Alex Johnson, digital strategist
Micki Krimmel, web consultant, Mickipedia

1:30 pm NETWORKING LUNCH
Get the real lowdown on the changing industry as you enjoy a tasty lunch and “off-the-record” talks with prominent independent film figures.

3:00 pm THE COST OF CUTTING CORNERS: PRODUCTION DOS AND DONTS
Independent filmmakers are always trying to do more with less but sometimes cutting corners can lead to big problems and unexpected costs. In this session an attorney, a line producer, a music supervisor, and a post-production supervisor bring their top five “dos and donts” to help you avoid legal, logistical, and financial mistakes. What can you get for free, when can you negotiate, and what compromises can you not afford to make?

Moderator: Paul Hall, producer, Pride

Terra Abroms, post-production supervisor Elegy
Julie Lynn, producer, Passengers
Irwin Rapparport, P.C., Attorney at Law
Brooke Wentz, music supervisor, The Rights Workshop

OR
KEEPING YOUR DOCUMENTARY ON TRACK
With a more unpredictable schedule dictated by evolving characters and situations, documentary filmmakers must grapple with the fluctuating funding and unpredictable costs of their productions. How do you raise money early on and use it strategically to nurture a small project to the point that it can attract larger funders? How do you budget and maintain a production that spans many years? How can you use your fundraising and production process to build a core audience that will want to buy your film once it's complete? From their experience making the award-winning documentary Made in LA, Robert Bahar and Almudena Carracedo share their wisdom on keeping the vision and budget on track from development to post and through distribution.

Robert Bahar, producer, Made in LA
Almudena Carracedo, producer/director, Made in LA

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm INDIELINK @ THE FORUM
Simultaneous to the panel discussions, representatives from film commissions, funding organizations, production companies, production services, and post-production services will be available in the lobby during the afternoon for informal discussions with Forum participants.

5:00 pm DEBATE: IS THE SKY REALLY FALLING FOR INDEPENDENT FILM?
“Yes, the sky is really falling”----this statement, spoken by keynote speaker Mark Gill at Film Independent’s Financing Conference, has brought a wide range of responses from all corners of the industry. Is the system really broken? Or are we at the start of something new? Join us as we revisit this debate and analyze the current state of affairs with some of today’s leading independent filmmakers and executives.

Moderator: Dawn Hudson, Executive Director, Film Independent

Richard Klubeck, UTA
Danny Rosett, Overture Films
Seth Willenson, Seth Willenson Inc.
Ron Yerxa, Bona Fide Productions

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28:

9:00 am FILMMAKERS OFF-THE-RECORD: SELLING YOUR MOVIE
The days of handing your film to the highest—or only—bidder are over. If you want to see the profits from your efforts, you need to vet every person on your sales team, question every offer on the table, and explore all the options for your film. Experienced filmmakers share stories of how they selected their teams, created a game plan, negotiated a deal (or not) and stuck to their plans.

Moderator: Rich Raddon, Director, Los Angeles Film Festival

Keith Calder, producer, The Wackness
Chris Eska, writer/director, August Evening
Clark Gregg, director, Choke
Alex Orlovsky, producer, Momma’s Man

10:30 am DIRECTORIAL VISION AND THE ITVS PROPOSAL
What does it mean to “direct” a non-fiction program? How do you establish directorial authority and convey your vision when applying to the Independent Television Service? Senior Programming Manager, Richard Saiz will lead a presentation and discussion exploring some basic principles concerning the writing and design of the treatment and work-in-progress video for Open Call, ITVS’ single biggest funding initiative.

Richard Saiz

10:40 am FILMMAKERS OFF-THE-RECORD: RETHINKING DISTRIBUTION
As festivals adapt to a changing market, they may no longer be the place where you go to sell your movie, but to launch your release. How do you leverage festivals and conceive your own distribution plan? Filmmakers share their experiences as they explore distribution options – from traditional theatrical to new hybrid models where they can exert more control.

Moderator: Rich Raddon, Director, Los Angeles Film Festival

Sacha Gervasi, director, Anvil! The Story of Anvil
Randall Miller, producer/director, Bottle Shock
Michael Roiff, producer, American Son
Jody Savin, producer/director, Bottle Shock
Jason Weiss, producer, Humboldt County


12:20 pm YOUR AUDIENCE AWAITS
When it comes to film financing, filmmakers increasingly shake the tree of alternative funding. But once their film is in the can, what if traditional distribution doesn't fall in place? Leading experts in this rapidly changing field discuss innovative ways to get a film to its audience as they analyze excerpts from Film Independent’s Filmmaker Labs and Tribeca All Access alumni projects currently seeking distribution.

Moderator: Peter Broderick, Paradigm Consulting

Jim Browne, Argot Pictures
Howard Cohen, Roadside Attractions
David Magdael, David Magdael & Associates

9:00 am to 3:00 pm INDIELINK @ THE FORUM: FESTIVALS, MARKETS, SALES AGENTS, DISTRIBUTORS
Simultaneous to the panel discussions, representatives from film festivals and film markets, sales agents, publicists, producers reps, and distributors will be available for informal discussions with Forum participants.

1:30 pm NETWORKING LUNCH
More off-the-record lunch talks with prominent indie film leaders.

3:00 pm THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET PLACE FOR AMERICAN INDIES
Is there a market for American independents abroad? If so, what films are likely to succeed reaching an international audience? And in which territories? Drawing from their recent experiences selling American independent films, international sales agents give specific examples of what they can and can’t sell in the international marketplace, and how to promote a film for international appeal.

Moderator: Susan Wrubel, The Salt Co.

Amy Beecroft, GreeneStreet Films International
Audrey Delaney, Media 8 Entertainment
Helen Lee Kim, Mandate Pictures
Mirjam Wertheim, Orange Entertainment

OR
SEE YOUR DISTRIBUTION FUTURE: A PRESENTATION AND INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP
Distribution strategist Peter Broderick will help filmmakers visualize and plan their distribution futures. After presenting examples of recent distribution breakthroughs, Peter will improvise hybrid distribution strategies designed to help you make the most of both traditional and innovative distribution techniques, so you can maximize both revenues and audience for your films. Come prepared to pitch your project, prioritize your goals, describe your core audiences, and leave conventional wisdom at the door.

Peter Broderick, Paradigm Consulting

5:00 pm DEBATE: THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT 2008: A YEAR IN REVIEW AND LOOKING AHEAD
What the heck happened this year? The dormant sales pattern established at Sundance in January quickly developed into a trend that carried through Berlin and into Cannes. Get the thoughts of producers’ reps, publicists, and distributors who come clean on their hit and misses at this year’s festivals and markets. What are the lessons to be learned? Find out here.

Moderator: Rich Raddon, Director, Los Angeles Film Festival

Josh Braun, Submarine Entertainment
Michael Lawson, mPRm
Rena Ronson, WMA Independent
John Sloss, Cinetic Media

6:30 pm SLOAN PRODUCERS GRANT AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT AND COCKTAIL RECEPTION

September 2 - 28 Prices

Full event pass:
$300 Film Independent members (join now) and partners
$350 Non-members

Single day pass* (Saturday or Sunday):
$180 Film Independent members (join now) and partners
$200 Non-members


ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. YOU MAY REGISTER AT THE DOOR.

FRI., SEPT. 26, AT 9:00PM
SAT., SEPT. 27, AT 8:00AM
SUN., SEPT. 28, AT 8:00AM

*SINGLE DAY PASSES DO NOT INCLUDE THE FRIDAY SCREENING.