Editor

The first annual Film Finance Forum Zurich proved to be a major success for organizers and attendees. Held on Saturday, September 25th, the event attracted over 100 participants who descended on the Dolder Grand Hotel, which sits atop the outlying hills of Zurich, overlooking the city and Swiss countryside.

Winston|Baker and Millbrook Pictures presented the first Film Finance Forum Zurich in association with the Zurich Film Festival and Variety and sponsored by Magnet Media Group.

The forum was co-chaired by Karl Spoerri, Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Zurich Film Festival and Managing Director of Millbrook Pictures, the international film financing and production company based in Zurich, along with Jeanette Buerling, President of Magnet Media Group, a film financing and production company based in Beverly Hills.

The focus of Film Finance Forum Zurich was on investment opportunities and financing strategies for equity and debt providers who are interested in both the European and US film markets. The event proved timely, and brought film and finance veterans to Zurich to offer new financiers preparatory workshops on the film business and investment vehicles, followed by presentations and panel discussions on the state of the film industry; financing opportunities and challenges; risk management; utilizing European incentives; and effective sales, marketing, and distribution strategies.

The day began with welcoming remarks by Jean-Frédéric Jauslin, Directeur, Office Fédéral de la Culture, DFI | Département Fédéral de I'intérieur. Speakers and panelists who led the lively and insightful discussions throughout the day included:

Bernhard Burgener - Chief Executive Officer (Constantin Medien)
Roeg Sutherland - Film Finance Agent (CAA)
Judith Chan - Senior Manager (Coutts and Co.)
Matthias Braun – Attorney (Eggers-Malmendier)
Luke Randolph - Managing Director (IFG Bonds)
Leon Clarance - Investment Director (Octopus Investments)
James Atherton - Managing Director (Quickfire Films)
Bernie Stampfer - Global Banking CIB (Deutsche Bank AG)
Stephen Margolis - Chief Executive (Future Film Group)
Luisa Bonello - Film Commissioner (Malta Film Commission)
Rachel Schmid - Managing Director (MEDIA Desk Suisse)
Dr. Carl L. Woebcken - President and CEO (Studio Babelsberg)
Daniel Waser - Managing Director (Zürcher Filmstiftung)
Hilary Davis - Co-Managing Director (Bankside Films)
Ben Kramer - Film Finance Agent (CAA)
James Spring - Managing Director (Ealing Studios)
Ulrich Bruckner - Head of Acquisitions (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment GMBH)
Marc Gabizon - Managing Director (Wild Bunch Germany)
Margrit Staerk - Director Acquisitions Feature Films (ZDF Enterprises GmbH)
Maggie Monteith - Co-President (Magnet Media Group)
Jeanette Buerling - Co-President (Magnet Media Group)
Karl Spoerri - Managing Director (Millbrook Pictures AG)

Forum participants included executives from around the world. Additional program details can be found at http://www.FilmFinanceForumZurich.com.

The 6th Zurich Film Festival began on September 23rd and will continue through Sunday, October 3rd.