is honored to produce and coordinate the special events for the 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival. Below are the complete details for the 2nd Annual Finance and Distribution Summit Special Events:
Friday, February 1, 2008 HBFF Pre-Summit Red-Carpet Reception and Cinema Lounge
In Association with The Bridge Presents…Funky Lemonade Zanzibar : 1301 5th Ave. at Arizona in Santa Monica
7-9pm red-carpet arrivals and Alizé sampling
9-10pm Featured Shorts Screening: Business Johnson,
written and directed by Casper Frank; Hysteria, written and directed by Gerald G. Haynes; Kujo, My Love,
written and directed by Stacy Pyles.
In addition, Yolanda Johnson debuts her music video Get 2 Know U/Intervention.
10pm-close – DJ Hapa and Mr. Choc - The Bridge Presents…Funky Lemonade RSVP Required – Please email your name and number in party to abby@ajukejoint.com.
There will be a $10 charge after 10pm, so please arrive early.
Saturday, February 2, 2008 The Alizé Post-Summit Networking Reception The Writer's Bootcamp: Bergamont Station Arts Center 2525 Michigan Avenue, Building I, in Santa Monica
With a complimentary Alizé pour plus appetizers to be served throughout the evening by Mmm Mmm Catering.
6pm-Midnight – Tagg Team DJs RSVP Required – Please email your name and number in party to abby@ajukejoint.com.
With Art Displays by Cosandra Calloway and Brian Smith
The film industry is undergoing a face lift as new forms of funding and distribution are radically transforming the business. The industry is experiencing unprecedented growth due to the interest from Wall Street hedge funds, capital markets and private equity financiers, and in the wake of Tyler Perry's triumph at the box office with his $22-million-dollar opening weekend of "Why Did I Get Married?," there is a growing number of studios looking to crack the market for black films.
At the day-long 2nd Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) Film Finance & Distribution Summit, a senior roster of industry professionals will address key issues relevant to the financial dynamics and distribution mechanics of black films. Speakers will offer up detailed information on new trends in private financing, strategies to
raise money for your film, putting together a film funding package, dissecting distribution deals, new distribution methods, including the impact of the development of VOD, digital cinema and new portable media devices, and understanding what film buyers are looking for. Panelists will include managers of tax-driven funds, venture capitalists, private equity financiers, accountants, corporate finance executives, bankers, entertainment & finance lawyers, and distribution executives.
The Summit will include four information-filled sessions, a luncheon session and networking reception. Each session will allow ample Q&A time. Attendees will also have an opportunity to interact & network with our distinguished presenters and panelists and amongst themselves.
Last year's speakers included: Marvinia Anderson, International Sales Agent, Anderson International; Relani Belous, Director, Business and Legal Affairs, Worldwide Television
Distribution, MGM; Greg S. Bernstein, Esq.; David Bixler, SVP, Acquisitions, FOX Home Entertainment; Peter Broderick, President, Paradigm Consulting; Jeff Clanagan, CEO/President, Codeblack Entertainment; Jerome Courshon, President, Centaur Productions; Eva Davis, Vice President, Targeted Acquisitions & Marketing, Warner Home Entertainment; Brett Dismuke, Executive Director, UrbanWorks Entertainment/First Look Studios; Brenda Doby-Flewellyn, Partner, FilmBankers International LLC; Louise Levison, Film Finance Consultant, President, Business Strategies; Lonnie Ramati, Vice President, Business Affairs, Nu Image Films; Danny Rodriguez, Partner, Polychrome Pictures; John Schenck, President, Regent Studios/Regent Entertainment; John Scott, SVP, Acquisitions, Genius/The Weinstein Company; Anthony Smith, Senior Financial Analyst, First Look Studios; Marion Spiegelman, Senior Vice President, Film Finances; W. Steven Temple, President & CFO, Business Affairs Management; Tony Thomas, Vice President, Syncom Managment Company, Inc., Vice President, Syncom II, Syncom III, General Partner, Syncom
IV; Adrian Ward, Vice President, Imperial Capital Bank
Entertainment Finance; Gary A. Watson, Esq., Gary A.
Watson & Associates; Mychal A. Wilson, Esq., MindFusion Law.
Who should attend? This Summit is for anyone involved in filmmaking, finance, production, or investing in a motion picture or television production including established and aspiring filmmakers, writers, directors, producers, distributors, sales agents, attorneys, bankers, venture capitalists and other interested industry professionals.
The HBFF Film Finance & Distribution Summit is the most comprehensive and accessible summit on film financing and distribution for black films. It is the ideal environment to explore new trends and business opportunities, gather information and gain insights from a wide array of leading film financing and distribution professionals.
If you're interested in learning more about film financing and distribution of black films, don't miss this opportunity to connect with insightful discussions and focused networking.
AGENDA
HBFF Pre-Summit Red-Carpet Reception and Cinema Lounge In Association with The Bridge Presents…Funky Lemonade Friday, February 1, 2008
Zanzibar 1301 5th Ave. at Arizona, Santa Monica, CA
7-9pm red-carpet arrivals and Alizé sampling
9-10pm Short Film Screenings (see above for titles)
10pm-close – DJ Hapa and Mr. Choc - The Bridge Presents…Funky Lemonade
HBFF Film Finance & Distribution Summit Saturday, February 2, 2008
Writers Boot Camp Bergamot Station Arts Center
2525 Michigan Ave., Bldg. I
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Free on-site parking
9:00 am Session 1 Raising Money For Movies: Piecing Together the Financing Puzzle Where's the money and how can you get it? This panel features leading film financing professionals (bankers, lawyers, wall streeters) who will discuss what sources of financing are available to independents. They will offer creative strategies on how you can raise money for your movie -- from investor financing (private equity capital), hedge funds and bank financing to co-productions, foreign pre-sales and tax incentives.
MODERATOR – Darrell D. Miller, Esq., Miller & Pliakas LLP
SPEAKERS:
Kibi Anderson, Relationship Manager, Broadway Federal Bank
D. Jeffrey Andrick, Managing Director, Continental Entertainment Capital
Steve Belser, Independent Financier Kevin D. Kinsley, President, Exodus Entertainment Bancorp, Inc.
Adrian Ward, VP Entertainment, Sports & Media Group, Israel Discount Bank of New York
10:30 am – 11:00 am Mid-morning Break
11:00 am Session 2 Packaging, Structuring & Negotiating Step-by-Step This panel will discuss the major elements financiers are looking for in a film project including story, budget, talent attached, marketing and foreign sales potential. Discover the way around the constant catch-22 many indie filmmakers face: how do I secure talent without money and how do I get money without talent? What are the deal points and ROI investors are going to ask for? Find out how to structure and negotiate a motion picture finance deal, and the role marketing and commercial viability play in the overall deal.
MODERATOR: Steven Adams, President, Film Pro Finance
SPEAKERS:
Alexis Garcia, Agent, Independent Packaging Group, Endeavor Talent Agency
Matthew Johnson, Esq., Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie, Stiffelman, Cook, Johnson, Lande & Wolf LLP
Lita Richardson, Lita Richardson Entertainment
Daniel Sladek, President, Daniel Sladek Entertainment
12:30 pm Luncheon Session The Five Most Common Film Finance/Distribution Scenarios An analysis of the five most common film industry scenarios relating to the relationship between film finance and distribution presented by John W. Cones, Esq., a Los Angeles-based securities and entertainment attorney working in the broad field of film finance with a focus on investor-financing of independent entertainment projects and business start-ups.
Presenter: John W. Cones, Esq.
2:00 pm Session 3 Strategies for Selling Your Film and Maximizing Distribution & Revenue With the advent of new technologies comes a wealth of opportunities for the independent filmmaker. Where once the goal was to land a theatrical distribution deal, these days filmmakers may choose to seek alternative means of distribution. Should you make an overall distribution deal or split up the rights to your film? What's the cost benefit analysis for undertaking your own distribution? The panel will discuss the distribution channels and techniques including alternative theatrical distribution, internet streaming and downloads, VOD, cell phone and iPods. Develop strategies for utilizing the new sales and exhibition channels to maximize your distribution and revenue -- from innovative theatrical service deals to cutting edge video strategies (mixing retail and direct sales online).
MODERATOR – Jerome Courshon
SPEAKERS:
Stacey Parks, founder of Film Specific and author of The Insider's Guide To Independent Film Distribution
Stu Pollard, President, Pollard Film Brian Stevenson, Senior V.P. of Film Distribution and Acquisition, All Channel Films
3:30 – 4:00 pm Mid-afternoon Break
4:00 pm Session 4 What Are The Buyers Looking For? Executives from studio, cable and independent production and distribution companies explain the scope of their companies, their financing structures, how to approach them, what they are looking to produce, the types of projects they acquire, and the different stages at which they get involved. They will share tips for concise and effective ways to present your projects for theatrical distribution, direct-to-video, cable and television.
MODERATOR: Mychal Wilson, Esq., MindFusion Law
SPEAKERS:
Roger M. Bobb, Supervising Producer, Tyler Perry Studios
Brett Dismuke, President One Village Entertainment/Image Entertainment
James Fagen, Senior Counsel, Genius Products, LLC
Charisse Nesbit, Creative Executive, Production & Development, Lionsgate Films
Lonnie Ramati, Sr. Acquisitions Executive and Executive VP Business & Legal Affairs, Millennium Films/Nu Image, Inc.
The Alizé Post-Summit Networking Reception Writer's Bootcamp Bergamont Station Arts Center
2525 Michigan Ave., Bldg. I
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Free on-site parking
6:00 pm - Midnight
With a complimentary Alizé pour plus appetizers to be served throughout the evening by Mmm Mmm Catering.
Tagg Team DJ
Early-Bird Registration (by December 21): $125
Pre-Registration (by January 17): $165 Late Registration: (January 18 - January 31): $210
BECAUSE THIS IS A CATERED EVENT, ON-SITE REGISTRATION IS EXTREMELY LIMITED AND IS NOT GUARANTEED!!! WE STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU PRE-REGISTER. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY PRE-REGISTRATIONS AFTER JAN. 31ST!!!
Registration fee includes Welcome Breakfast, Luncheon and Reception. All attendees receive summit workbook loaded with film financing and distribution information and resources.
Pre-Registration has now closed.
LAST YEAR WAS SOLD OUT AND SPACE IS LIMITED! To provide Summit attendees the opportunity to meet the panelists, we are limiting the number of attendees that may attend. Please register early so you will not be disappointed.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:
THE AMBROSE HOTEL
1255 20th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-315-1555
Toll Free 1-877-AMBROSE http://www.ambrosehotel.com
Please name "HBFF" as your reason for travel.
Book early in order to secure a standard room rate, as
these rooms tend to sell out quickly. All rooms
are subject to a 14% occupancy tax.
Standard Room - $229 Premier Guest Room - $239 Deluxe Studio - $259 Premier Studio - $279
Ambrose Signatures:
* Complimentary Organic Continental Breakfast by Urth Caffe
* Complimentary Guest Parking
* Free Wi-Fi and Cable Internet
* The Rec Room, Exercise Room
* FREE London Taxi Service, a complimentary bio-diesel
guest shuttle which will take you to the Bergamot
Station, the site of the Summit. Be sure to call the
concierge at least a half-hour before you want to
leave. The London Taxi Service will provide
transportation to Bergamot Station on a first come
- first serve basis on Saturday, 2/2/08, and
cannot be reserved. If the service is not
available at the time of request, the front desk will
assist with a city taxi. Bergamot Station is a 4
minute drive from the hotel.
is honored to produce and coordinate the special events for the 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival. Below are the complete details for the 2nd Annual Finance and Distribution Summit Special Events: 
The film industry is undergoing a face lift as new forms of funding and distribution are radically transforming the business. The industry is experiencing unprecedented growth due to the interest from Wall Street hedge funds, capital markets and private equity financiers, and in the wake of Tyler Perry's triumph at the box office with his $22-million-dollar opening weekend of "Why Did I Get Married?," there is a growing number of studios looking to crack the market for black films. 
dissecting distribution deals, new distribution methods, including the impact of the development of VOD, digital cinema and new portable media devices, and understanding what film buyers are looking for. Panelists will include managers of tax-driven funds, venture capitalists, private equity financiers, accountants, corporate finance executives, bankers, entertainment & finance lawyers, and distribution executives. 
Last year's speakers included: Marvinia Anderson, International Sales Agent, Anderson International; Relani Belous, Director, Business and Legal Affairs, Worldwide Television
Distribution, MGM; Greg S. Bernstein, Esq.; David Bixler, SVP, Acquisitions, FOX Home Entertainment; Peter Broderick, President, Paradigm Consulting; Jeff Clanagan, CEO/President, Codeblack Entertainment; Jerome Courshon, President, Centaur Productions; Eva Davis, Vice President, Targeted Acquisitions & Marketing, Warner Home Entertainment; Brett Dismuke, Executive Director, UrbanWorks Entertainment/First Look Studios; Brenda Doby-Flewellyn, Partner, FilmBankers International LLC; Louise Levison, Film Finance
Consultant, President, Business Strategies; Lonnie Ramati, Vice President, Business Affairs, Nu Image Films; Danny Rodriguez, Partner, Polychrome Pictures; John Schenck, President, Regent Studios/Regent Entertainment; John Scott, SVP, Acquisitions, Genius/The Weinstein Company; Anthony Smith, Senior Financial Analyst, First Look Studios; Marion Spiegelman, Senior Vice President, Film Finances; W. Steven Temple, President & CFO, Business Affairs Management; Tony Thomas, Vice President, Syncom Managment Company, Inc., Vice President, Syncom II, Syncom III, General Partner, Syncom
IV; Adrian Ward, Vice President, Imperial Capital Bank
Entertainment Finance; Gary A. Watson, Esq., Gary A.
Watson & Associates; Mychal A. Wilson, Esq., MindFusion Law. 
Who should attend? This Summit is for anyone involved in filmmaking, finance, production, or investing in a motion picture or television production including established and aspiring filmmakers, writers, directors, producers, distributors, sales agents, attorneys, bankers, venture capitalists and other interested industry professionals. 
