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Wednesday, February 9, 2011

8:30 am
Registration Opens

9:30 am - 9:45 am
Opening Remarks by Conference Chair Bruno Chatelin

9:45 am - 11:00 am
Panel "Crossing the Divide: The role of festivals in worldwide film distribution"

As the festival world shifts with the constant improvements in digital technology, changing economic conditions and other factors so does the distribution of Indie Film.  Technology may be making the world smaller, but it remains to be seen if these effects are carrying over to the non-linear world of independent film distribution.  Hear from these Indie film and festival leaders on what they are prioritizing when making their festival strategy this year and in the future.

Moderator:Sandy Mandelberger, Owner, International Media Resources (preparing for the panel with Bruno Chatelin)

Shivani Pandya, Managing Director, Dubai International Film Festival
Jürgen Schau, Owner, JSE - Entertainment
Karen Arikian, Executive Director, Hamptons International Film Festival
Leon Morgan, Film & TV Consultant, Davenport Lyons
Javier Martin, Festival Director, Seville European Film Festival
Leon Morgan, Film & TV Consultant, Davenport Lyons

11:00 am - 11:45 am
Morning Networking & Coffee Break on Exhibit Floor

11:45 - 12:30 pm

Case Study "The Price of Independence- Film festivals and Censorship"

Last year the Melbourne International Film Festival received a phone call from the local Chinese consulate instructing it to withdraw a documentary film - 10 Conditions of Love - about Rebiya Kadeer , the leader of the Uigyur people in exile. 

The festival refused to comply. As a result a wave of attacks were launched at the festival's communication networks - Fax and phone lines were jammed, abusive emails filled staff inboxes. Odd men in black leather jackets appeared opposite the festival office with long lenses.

In concert with the psychological tactics the festival was subjected to a series of cyber attacks aimed directly at our ticketing system and our commercial viability. The attacks were highly organised and caused economic damage.

The vigor of the frontal assault was matched behind the scenes. Seven Chinese films were withdrawn from the program. Some in fear of consequences, others prompted to join the wave of nationalism that swept the pages of China's daily newspapers about the issue. 

This talk aims to present a case study of the incident and to raise questions about the independence of film festivals and the price of maintaining an independent stand. The talk will allude to another incident of political censorship during the 2009 festival - i.e. Ken Loach's boycott of the festival for accepting sponsorship from the local Israeli consulate.  

The attendant publicity over 10 Conditions of Love and Ken Loach was enormous and catapulted the Melbourne festival onto the world stage. But at what price?  Will the festival be able to program Chinese films into the future? Will film festivals increasingly be held hostage to the political views and whims of independent filmmakers?   

Even if you wanted to is your festival ready to program 10 CONDITIONS OF LOVE? Are your firewalls secure enough to resist attack? Can you guarantee the privacy and safety of credit card details of your patrons? What price can you afford to place on maintaining the integrity of your main festival asset - the program?

Richard Moore
Director, Brisbane International Film Festival
Former Executive Director, Melbourne International Film Festival

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Break for Lunch

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Panel "Building a Loyal Fan Base: Strategies for staying connected and filling seats"

Establishing a strong foundation of festival goers is a vital component of any successful film festival. Partnering with local schools, education outreach programs, social networking and other digital technologies are just a few of the ways that festivals can engage and support the community.

Don't miss this cutting edge panel discussion addressing the latest strategies that can help grow your audience and fill seats. We will take a look at several case studies and how festivals are expanding audiences and engaging in a more meaningful way with fest attendees using these strategies.  This unique session will engage experienced film festival leaders, giving you the best advice and strategy from across the globe.

Moderator: Scott Hillier, Festival Director, European Independent Film Festival

Geoffrey Malone, Founder & Chairman, Singapore Film Festival
Peter Stein, Director, San Francisco Jewish Film Festival
Colin Stanfield, Executive Director, Nantucket Film Festival
Bruno Chatelin, COO, filmfestivals.com and fest21.com

3:00 - 3:30 pm
Afternoon Networking & Coffee Break on Exhibit Floor

3:30 - 4:15 pm
Fireside Chat "A Programmer's Strategy for Festivals - Berlinale"

David Kwok
Director of Programming
Tribecca Film Festival

Deborah Young
Artistic Director
Taormina Film Festival

4:15 - 5:00 pm
Closing Reception