HBFF's 3rd ANNUAL FILM FINANCE & DISTRIBUTION SUMMIT
"Informing.  Inspiring.  Empowering."

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2009
Time: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Writers Boot Camp
Bergamot Station Arts Center
2525 Michigan Ave., Bldg. 1
Santa Monica, CA 90404

 

Watch the 2008 Highlight Video!

 

 

 

If you missed the 2008 Summit, also check out Alice Fuller's blog including audio clips at
http://ellenoir1.blogspot.com/2008/02/hbff-film-finance-distribution-summit.html

 

If you're looking to get the hook-up, gather information and gain insights from a wide array of leading film financing and distribution professionals, don't miss this opportunity to connect with insightful discussions and focused networking.
 
At the day-long HBFF Film Finance & Distribution Summit, a senior roster of industry professionals will address key issues relevant to the opportunities and barriers to success in securing film finance, sales and distribution for independent filmmakers. 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, and understanding what film buyers are looking for.
 
Panelists will include venture capitalists, private equity financiers, accountants, corporate finance executives, bankers, entertainment attorneys and distribution executives.

The HBFF Film Finance & Distribution Summit will include four information-filled sessions, a luncheon presentation and networking reception. It is the ideal environment to explore business opportunities, gather information and gain insights on film financing and distribution opportunities from leading film financing and distribution professionals.

Who should attend?  

• Established and aspiring filmmakers looking to raise capital for their independent films, production companies, movie slates, film funds, or other film-related ventures
• Film finance professionals
• Agents and managers
• Entertainment attorneys
  

Here’s Why You Can’t Afford To Miss This Summit:

• Attracting investors-how to?
• Are individual private equity investors still active?
• Who's in the film finance business? Which banks, investment companies, specialized film finance companies, and institutional investors like hedge funds and wealth funds are financing indie films, and what types of financing are they offering?
• Untapped treasures for financing an independent film in foreign markets
• Taking advantage of film production tax incentives
• The benefits of co-financing and co-productions
• The finer points of structuring a good deal
• How dead is theatrical? Can a filmmaker really make money in secondary markets and alternative distribution channel?
• New distribution models, digital distribution platforms and direct to DVD models
• Focused networking opportunities

SUMMIT AGENDA

8:00 am Check-in and continental breakfast

9:00 am Welcome

9:15 am  Session #1 - Who's Financing What, How, Where, When & Why?  Where's the money and how can you get it?  This panel will discuss who is financing independent films and what type of financing they are offering; and offer creative strategies on how you can raise money for your movie -- from investor financing (private equity capital), institutional investors (hedge funds and wealth funds), and bank financing to co-productions, foreign pre-sales and tax incentives.

Panelists:  Roy Salter, President, Salter Group
Jeff Gonzalez, COO and CFO of Maya Entertainment; Douglas Lowell, Financial Executive, Gillen Group; Jeff Begum, Business Development Executive, The Incentives Office; Michael Stewart II, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; D. Jeffrey Andrick, Founder/Owner, XL.Ent Media Group
Moderator: Tanya Kersey, Founder/Executive Director, Hollywood Black Film Festival

10:45 am Coffee Break

11:15 am  Session #2 - Structuring, Packaging & Negotiating the Deal: 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 benefits of co-financing and co-productions.

Panelists:  Anne Marie Gillen, Independent Producer & Consultant, Gillen Group, LLC; Dama Claire, Production Executive; Bonnie Berry LaMon, Esq., Vice President, Preston Picture Co.; Louise Levison, Film Finance Consultant, President of Business Strategies; Peter Graham, Managing Partner, 120dB Films Tax Finance
Moderator: Writer/director/producer Bobby Mardis

12:45  Distribution Deals: 9 Crucial Things to Know When Offered a Deal/Contract

Presented by Jerome Coushon, "The Secrets to Distribution: Get Your Movie Distributed Now!"

 

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 how you can really make money in secondary markets and alternative distribution channels -- from innovative theatrical service deals and direct to DVD models to digital distribution platforms.

Panelists: Mike Williams, Head Filmmaker Relations & Acquisitions, Indieflix; Tanya York, President, York Entertainment; Page Ostrow, Producer's Rep, Ostrow & Company; Valerie Watts Meraz, Vice President, Content Acquisitions, Showtime
Moderator: Mychal Wilson, Esq., Mindfusion Law

 

4:00 pm Coffee Break

4:30 pm Session #4 - Pitch Clinic: You Have to Know How to Pitch Well in Order to Sell your Project.  This is an interactive session where filmmakers will get the chance to pitch their project to a panel of film industry professionals and get valuable feedback and advice on how to leverage their project elements into an attractive package for financiers and investors. The panelists’ specific feedback and practical advice will provide useful packaging and financing tips on the effective ways to present projects for cable, television, direct-to-video and theatrical distribution.

Panelists: Brian Stevenson, Senior V.P. Film Distribution, All Channel Films; Lonnie Ramati,  Executive VP Business And Legal Affairs, Nu Image/Millenium Films; Melvin Butters, Vice President of Acquisitions, North American Motion Pictures, Barnholtz Entertainment; Stu Pollard, President, Pollard Film; Angela Northington, Production Consultant/Producer's Rep
Moderator: Richard Willis, Jr.

 

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Pre-registration (by October 8): $175
On-site registration: (after October 8 and on-site) $200

Registration fee includes Welcome Breakfast, Luncheon and Reception. All attendees receive summit workbook loaded with film financing and distribution information and resources. VERY LIMITED ON-SITE REGISTRATION (cannot guarantee workbook for all on-site registrants.  Please register before October 8th.)

PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED. PLEASE REGISTER ON-SITE.

Directions to Writers Boot Camp at Bergamot Station: http://www.bergamotstation.com/directions.html

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.

Refund Policy: All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to HBFF on or before September 10, 2009. A $50 administrative fee will be deducted. No refunds after September 10, 2009. No refund requests by phone. NO EXCEPTIONS.

For more information, summit@hbff.org

 

Previous Summit Speakers:

Steven Adams, President, Film Pro Finance; Marvinia Anderson, International Sales Agent, Anderson International; D. Jeffrey Andrick, Managing Director, Continental Entertainment Capital; Relani Belous, Director, Business and Legal Affairs, Worldwide Television Distribution, MGM; Steve Belser, Independent Financier; Greg S. Bernstein, Esq.; David Bixler, SVP, Acquisitions, FOX Home Entertainment; Roger M. Bobb, Supervising Producer, Tyler Perry Studios; Peter Broderick, President, Paradigm Consulting; Jeff Clanagan, CEO/President, Codeblack Entertainment; John W. Cones, Esq.; Jerome Courshon, President, Centaur Productions; Eva Davis, Vice President, Targeted Acquisitions & Marketing, Warner Home Entertainment; Brett Dismuke, Vice President Urban Programming & Acquisitions, One Village Entertainment; Brenda Doby-Flewellyn, Partner, FilmBankers International LLC; James Fagen, Senior Counsel, Genius Products, LLC; Alexis Garcia, Agent, Independent Packaging Group, Endeavor Talent Agency; Matthew Johnson, Esq., Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie, Stiffelman, Cook, Johnson, Lande & Wolf LLP; Kevin D. Kinsley, President, Exodus Entertainment Bancorp, Inc.; Louise Levison, Film Finance Consultant, President, Business Strategies; Darrell D. Miller, Esq.;Charisse Nesbit, Creative Executive, Production & Development, Lionsgate Films; Lonnie Ramati, Vice President, Business Affairs, Nu Image Films; Stacey Parks, founder of Film Specific and author of The Insider's Guide To Independent Film Distribution; Stu Pollard, President, Pollard Film; Lonnie Ramati, Sr. Acquisitions Executive and Executive VP Business & Legal Affairs, Millennium Films/Nu Image, Inc.; Danny Rodriguez, Partner, Polychrome Pictures; John Schenck, President, Regent Studios/Regent Entertainment; John Scott, SVP, Acquisitions, Genius/The Weinstein Company; Daniel Sladek, President, Daniel Sladek Entertainment; Anthony Smith, Senior Financial Analyst, First Look Studios; Marion Spiegelman, Senior Vice President, Film Finances; Brian Stevenson, Senior V.P. of Film Distribution and Acquisition, All Channel Films; 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, VP Entertainment, Sports & Media Group, Israel Discount Bank of New York; Gary A. Watson, Esq., Gary A. Watson & Associates; Mychal A. Wilson, Esq., MindFusion Law.