American Film Market Dailies

Wednesday November 1st

  3:00 PM  -  4:30 PM ,  November 1 2017

The Changing Hong Kong Movie Scene: What is New, How and Why?

  3:00 PM  -  4:30 PM ,  November 2 2017

Hong Kong films have been well recognized in the international film industry over the years and now exciting young talent are on the rise. Hong Kong’s young directors and producers are winning international awards with their debut productions which are known for their distinct local flavour and relatively low budgets. They are regarded as a fresh “Hong Kong New Wave Cinema”, one comparable to the generation in the 1970s. Two iconic directors will explore what is happening now in the Hong Kong movie scene.Moderator

Seating is limited for this event.

 

Friday November 3rd

  2:00 PM  -  6:00 PM ,  November 3 2017

Keynote Address
Nigeria’s Commitment Towards An Enabling Environment For Investment Into The Nigerian Film Business Ecosystem.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, Nigeria

Keynote Address

Senator Ben Murray Bruce, Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatization; Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs; Founder, Silverbird GroupKeynote Address

The Opportunities, Possibilities and Challenges of the Film Business in Nigeria: The Past, the Present and the Future.

Seating is limited for this event.

  2:30 PM  -  5:45 PM ,  November 3 2017

Engage is the Pepperdine Alumni Affairs and Pepperdine’s Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Culture (iEMC) signature diversity and inclusion event where creative entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to learn from high profile industry professionals.

This half-day event features provocative panel discussions and invaluable insider information about the film, television, and new media landscape from a diverse group of notable creative producers and executives in the entertainment industry.
Further details can be found here.

  3:00 PM  -  4:30 PM ,  November 3 2017

Five Paris publishing houses – Au Diable Vauvert, Dupuis, Gallimard, Glenat and Plon – will pitch titles selected by a jury of professionals composed of Jacqueline Lyanga, AFI Fest’s Director, Dana Spector, Literary Agent from Paradigm, Andrea McCall, from Amblin Partners, Bob Bookman, manager of Bob Bookman Management, and Mike Medavoy, from Phoenix Pictures. The roundtable will be followed by a wine reception, where audiovisual rights licensors and producers can discuss the day’s events and future contacts.

Seating is limited for this event.

Saturday November  4th

 

  2:00 PM  -  6:00 PM ,  November 4 2017

Box Office in Nigeria: A Case Study

Kene Mparu, Managing Director, Film House Cinema
Bridging the gap for International Distribution of Nollywood Films

Nollywood Versus Hollywood in Nigeria

Seating is limited for this event. 

 

  5:00 PM  -  6:30 PM ,  November 4 2017

Moderator
Lucy Mukerjee-Brown, Director of Programming, Outfest & Newfest
Panelists
Kiska Higgs, Head of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Focus Features
Christine D’Souza Gelb, Agent, WME
Ian Bricke, Director, Content Acquisition, Netflix

A discussion of the independent film landscape, using case studies of specific financing models, in order to identify a sustainable way forward for LGBTQ representation in cinema.
Presented in partnership with Outfest.

Seating is limited for this event.

Finance Conference II: Funding Films Today

  9:45 AM  -  12:45 PM ,  November 5 2017

Producing Studio Films with Independent Budgets.

Moderator
Richard Botto, Founder & CEO, Stage 32

Panelists
Rebecca Cammarata, Director of Development, Stay Gold Features
Paul Hanson, CEO, Covert Media
Russell Levine, CEO, Route One Films
Ben Stillman, SVP, Black Bear Pictures

Production quality and talent are more crucial than ever. Producers need to be strategic with their budgets – talent, locations, special effects, crew, everything! Seasoned producers and experts share their advice on how to stretch budgets and get every dollar, euro, pound, yen or franc “on the screen.”

 

The Film Finance Matrix: From Script to Screen.

Moderator
Joe Chianese, EVP, EP Financial Solutions

Panelists
Shirley Davis, Executive Vice President, Physical Production, Alcon Entertainment, LLC
Stefan Lütje, Partner/Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Brian O’Shea, CEO, The Exchange

Adrian Ward, SVP & Manager, Entertainment Industries Division, Pacific Mercantile Bank

Our panel of experts will be presented with five film packages – each with partial or limited funding. They will explore and disclose how each film could be fully financed. Five case studies; five solutions.

The Passion of the Film: Reaching the Faith Community

  10:30 AM  -  12:00 PM ,  November 5 2017

Producers and distributors are serving the faithful and finding their audience in the increasingly digital world. Filmmakers and marketers reveal the essential elements of story, ministry and outreach that will optimize exposure to reach and serve their audience.

10:00am – 10:30am Networking and refreshments
10:30am – 12:00pm Roundtable

Seating is limited for this event.

NIFS Production Summit & Talent Spotlight

  2:00 PM  -  6:00 PM ,  November 5 2017

Production Summit

Broad discussions covering new dimensions in production; the importance of casting; international production/co-production as the next frontiers for Nigeria producers; budgets, timelines and the benefits of the quick turn-around; and Nigeria as a viable production location.

Ascend Talent Spotlight

Seating is limited for this event.

Moderator

Writers Workshop I

  2:30 PM  -  5:30 PM ,  November 5 2017

You Had Me At Page One

Make the reader love you on the first page! Learn writing techniques that help your script hit the ground running. Through examples from your favorite scripts, we take a hard look at word choice, scene direction, dialogue approach, and the nuances of the page.

The Art of Cinematic Storytelling: Transforming Your Premise Into An Engaging Screenplay

The greatest challenge facing all screenwriters, whether novice or professional, is the process of transforming a premise into a compelling, sustainable story. This workshop focuses solely on the art of the story, with an emphasis on such fundamentals as character development, super-objective, rising conflict, scene work, and three-act structure. Participants learn how to spot critical mistakes often made in the initial development of a screenplay’s narrative. The final goal of the workshop is a greater understanding of what makes a story work and a series of tools that participants can immediately apply to their current screenplay.

The Future is Female

  5:00 PM  -  6:30 PM ,  November 5 2017

It is no surprise that Wonder Women is the highest grossing action movie in 15 years. Women make up over half of the world’s population, and are a driving force in theatrical box office as well as television, cable and digital viewing. This Roundtable will highlight how female driven stories can expand your audience and profitability. Our panel will explore the benefits of developing strong female leads and hiring women directors, producers and writers for your next mega-hit.

Presented in partnership with the Alliance of Women Directors.

Seating is limited for this event.

Monday November 6th

Production Conference

  9:15 AM  -  12:45 PM ,  November 6 2017

Producing for the Pre-Sales Marketplace

Pre-Selling to territorial Buyers is key to financing most independent films. What are they looking for? Which genres and talent? How do you set a budget that will reflect the marketplace? Discover which projects are most likely to sell globally before they are made.

What They Want: Inside the Major Studios

The major studios are always in search of the next great script. But what do they really want and need? Producers who are working with the majors today share their experiences and discuss the key elements that the studios look for in scripts and pitches.

Romania Welcomes Hollywood

  11:30 AM  -  1:00 PM ,  November 6 2017

Moderator
Andrei Zinca, Director/Producer; Owner, Double 4 Studios US
Panelists
Robert Bernacchi, Producer/VP of Production, Skydance Media US
Andrei Boncea, Producer/Co-Owner, Frame Film Romania & Former VP of Content, CME
Mihai Fulger, Member of the Board, Romanian National Film Centre & Director, National Film Archives
Bogdan Moncea, Producer, Castel Film Studios Romania
Ada Solomon, Producer/Owner, Hi Film Productions Romania

30%-35% savings over Prague, 50% savings or more over London, up to 80% savings over U.S. prices, landscape galore, experienced crews by US standards and great actors, internationally acclaimed local producers now ready for co-productions with the U.S., and an EU mandatory quota of local content for both broadcast and streaming – are these strong enough arguments to think “Romania” for your next project? We’ll have an open conversation about all aspects of shooting and/or co-producing in Romania. Brought to you by Double 4 Studios and Romanian Filmmakers Association (UCIN). Reception will follow.

Seating is limited for this event.

Only in Louisiana

  2:00 PM  -  6:00 PM ,  November 6 2017

 

For over 15 years, Louisiana has set the standard for motion picture production incentives throughout the world. With a competitive film production incentive; tax credits for full time, permanent jobs; and funds for investment in education and workforce development – the Louisiana Advantage is clear. Recent enhancements to the tax credit program in Louisiana are guaranteed to set the bar even higher. Join officials from the state of Louisiana, regional representatives, trade organizations, and Louisiana businesses as they discuss recent changes to Louisiana’s incentive program.

Writers Workshop II

  2:30 PM  -  5:30 PM ,  November 6 2017

 

ReVision: Seeing Your Script With New Eyes

If writing is rewriting, how can you best approach the task? This workshop lays out a pragmatic rewrite strategy, as well as identifying the larger questions a writer should ask when revising a script. It concludes with a hands-on exercise, in which participants examine a scene from a film script which has been intentionally sullied, and then attempt to rewrite it into sterling condition.

Writing Compelling Characters

No matter what genre you’re working in, getting your reader to empathize with and root for your story’s protagonist is one of the most important goals – if not THE most important goal – for a screenwriter to achieve. Using film clips, screenplay pages, and brief exercises, this workshop explores how to create powerful, memorable characters, and the most effective techniques for bringing them to life on the page.

How to Get the Best Music For Your Project and Save Time & Money

  3:00 PM  -  4:15 PM ,  November 6 2017

Moderator
Dennis Dreith, Perseverance Records Recording Artist; Owner, Magic Closet Music
Panelists
Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, Executive Director, Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund
Stefanie Taub, National Director, Music, SAG-AFTRA
Paul Broucek, President, Music, Warner Bros. Pictures
Reggie Wilson, Owner/President, Guardian Music Services

Original film score or licensed music? From hiring a Composer or Music Supervisor to clearing your music and music-related residuals… we will answer real world questions and explain how to stick to your critically important post-production budget.
Presented in partnership with Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund.

Seating is limited for this event.

Distributing and Monetizing Feature Documentaries

  5:00 PM  -  6:30 PM ,  November 6 2017

Moderator
Kevin Iwashina, Founder & CEO, Preferred Content
Panelists
Anna Godas, CEO, Dogwoof
Laurens Grant, Director & Producer
Lisa Remington, Producer

The Documentary marketplace is quickly transforming. New platforms and alliances – creative, geographic and financial – are providing opportunities for stories that can support a long-form treatment. This session will examine the diverse sources of revenue and reveal which co-production models can achieve success.
Presented in partnership with IDA.

Seating is limited for this event.

Distribution Conference

  9:15 AM  -  12:45 PM ,  November 7 2017

 

Working with Sales Agents

Moderator
Clay Epstein, President, Film Mode Entertainment

Panelists
Martin Katz, Founder and President, Prospero Pictures
Dana Lustig, Principal, Dana Lustig Productions
Lisa Wilson, Partner, The Solution Entertainment Group

 

The Future of Video On Demand

Moderator
Bruce Eisen, President, Digital Advisors

Panelists
Andy Bohn, Co-Founder & Partner, The Film Arcade
Thomas Hughes, EVP, Worldwide Digital Distribution, Lionsgate
Tania Jones, VP of Marketing & Customer Service, Shift72

Hanny Patel, VP, Video Marketing, AT&T Entertainment Group

VOD is now the largest source of revenue for many films. Are we heading towards a future where all films will be available worldwide and where every film will be discoverable by its audience? Producers, distributors and platforms will disclose who is making money, how they are doing it, and what the future holds – separating fact from fiction.

Working with the U.S. Guilds

  3:00 PM  -  4:30 PM ,  November 7 2017

With
Darrien Michele Gipson, National Director, SAGindie
Cynthia Tollett, Assistant Executive Director, Directors Guild of America
Kay S. Wolf, Senior Representative/Member Organizing Department, Writers Guild of America West

SAGindie, DGA and WGAW representatives explain how to secure talent agreements for actors, directors and writers and make your project signatory to the guilds’ agreements.

Seating is limited for this event.