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VIFF Film & Television Trade Forum Celebrates Twenty Years With the Opening of the New Vancouver International Film Centre:

Film & Television Trade Forum 1 - Minute Motion Picture Contest to Commemorate the Occasion

The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) Film & Television Trade Forum marks its 20th anniversary with the grand opening of the Vancouver International Film Centre (VIFC) on Sept. 28, while the Trade Forum 1 - Minute Motion Picture Contest, sponsored by Kodak pays tribute to the occasion on film.

Western Canada’s foremost professional development and networking event for the filmmaking community features a streamlined and intimate format Sept. 28 – 30 and an inspiring program for emerging filmmakers on New Filmmakers’ Day Oct 1.

"The 2005 Trade Forum program responds to the specific needs and interests of a mature local industry compared to 20 years ago when this event began," says Trade Forum Producer Melanie Friesen. "We’re especially pleased to be presenting our 20th annual event from this exceptional new facility for our local filmmaking community," Friesen adds.

This year the Trade Forum presents a refined format for its panel series, with an expanded complement of Master Classes in the filmmaking arts that are smaller, more intimate exchanges with successful filmmaking professionals. Directing, screenwriting, production design and documentary filmmaking are among the topics to be featured in these intensive professional development sessions.

As well, the latest intelligence on the business of filmmaking is profiled in a range of panels, including International Co-productions: An Update, International Sales and Distribution and A Public Forum on Film Financing in Canada. New and notable sessions such as Producing for the Asian Market and Master Class with a Sales Agent offer detailed explorations of these respective terrains.

In a special celebration of the new VIFC, The Film & Television Trade Forum presents The Trade Forum 1- Minute Motion Picture Contest, sponsored by Kodak Motion Picture Film. An opportunity for local filmmakers to participate in, and document the launch of Vancouver’s new film community hub, the contest is open to all emerging, BC-based cinematographers/filmmakers who complete a film no longer than one minute in length featuring the new VIFC. Only exterior shots of the building located at 1181 Seymour Street will be allowed. Filmmaking is not permitted inside the building for this contest. Filmmakers can shoot in the format of their choice but the finished product must be delivered to the Trade Forum in DVD format. Natural lighting must be used. If any extra footage or sound is used, the filmmaker must own the rights to the material.

The 30 best entries will be screened during the Trade Forum (September 28 to 30) and a panel of local filmmakers will judge the entries and select the winning film.

The award-winning cinematographer/filmmaker will receive a film prize from Kodak worth $2,500 in Kodak motion picture film stock, which must be redeemed by the winning recipient no later than December 31, 2005. For registration, rules and regulations please visit our website at www.viff.org or email: TradeForum@viff.org.

The 20th Annual Film and Television Trade Forum takes place in the Rogers Industry Centre at the Vancouver International Film Centre and Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street, September 28 – 30, with New Filmmakers’ Day on October 1.