IFFR PRO PANELS

During the first week of IFFR, the Filmmakers Hub organizes and hosts a series of panels and debates. Top industry professionals and experts attending the festival and CineMart will share their experiences with other professionals and dispense important advice to up-and-coming filmmakers. 

The panels are informal, yet highly instructive, and are a great forum for filmmakers to get their questions answered and for Industry pros to meet new talent. The IFFR Pro Panels and Debates are open to IFFR Directors, Industry and CineMart delegates.

PROGRAMME DURING IFFR 2017

Friday 27 January
IFFR PRO DRINKS AT THE FILMMAKERS HUB

Start the festival weekend with fellow filmmakers, festival programmers, the IFFR PRO team & a wine or beer.

• de Doelen, Filmmakers Hub, 4th floor
• Friday 27 January, 17:30 – 19:00
• Open to all film professionals
• For reservation, please RSVP

Saturday 28 January
IFFR PRO PANEL: DISTRIBUTION, DIGITAL DILEMMAS AND DISCOVERABILITY 

The vital connection between artists, distributors, curators and festivals: How do distributors and curators navigate through the diversity and abundance of distribution platforms? How to respond to new models of distribution? How do these innovative models shape the showcase of artists' works by festivals and organizations? 

An open discussion with filmmaker Fern Silva (USA), distributor Brigitta Burger-Utzer (SixPack/Austria), curator Erik Martinson (UK), festival director Miguel Dias (Curtas Vila do Conde - Festival Internacional de Cinema/Portugal). Moderated by Wanda vanderStoop (V-TAPE/ Canada)

• de Doelen, Filmmakers Hub, 4th floor
• Saturday 28 January, 11:00 – 12:30
• Open to all film professionals 
• For reservation, please RSVP

IFFR PRO PANEL: MAKE THE MOST OF A FILM FESTIVAL

Key professionals will share their experiences, insights, tips & tricks how to use your time at IFFR in the most effective way. A chance for filmmakers to get their questions answered and for Industry pros to meet new talents.

With sales agent Sebastien Chesneau (Cercamon), festival director Frederic Boyer (Tribeca Film Festival), producer Katharina Suckale (Bombay Berlin Film Production), film festival specialist Jane Williams (Dubai FF &Venice Biennale College), programmer Julian Ross (IFFR) and filmmaker Gastón Solnicki (Kékszakállú – IFFR 2017). Moderated by Hayet Benkara.

• de Doelen, Filmmakers Hub, 4th floor
• Saturday 28 January, 15:00 – 16:30
• Open to all film professionals 
• For reservation, please RSVP

Sunday 29 January
IFFR PRO TRAINING: APPLYING AND PITCHING! GAIN HANDS-ON-EXPERIENCE!

Get the lowdown on how to apply to film funds and film markets, learn how to develop and enhance your pitch & receive feedback in a supportive and constructive session with top Industry professionals.
With Pitching Trainer Marjorie Bendeck, Script and Pitch consultant Anita Voorham, international film market consultant Lucas Rosant and talent agent Mikey Schwartz-Wright (United Talent Agency).

• de Doelen, Filmmakers Hub, 4th floor
• Sunday 29 January, 11:00 – 13:30
• Pitching upon invitation only
• Open to all filmmakers
• For reservation, please RSVP

IFFR PRO PANEL: CREATIVITY IN COLLABORATION - THE DYNAMICS BETWEEN DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS

An vigorous discussion about process, product and the primacy of partnerships with director/producer duos whose films are included in this year's Hivos Tiger Awards competition: Pedro Pedro Aguilera and Cristina Gallego (Demonios tus ojos) and Konstantin Bojanov and Mila Voinikova (Light Thereafter).

Moderated by Madeleine Molyneaux.

• de Doelen, Filmmakers Hub, 4th floor
• Sunday 29 January, 15:00 – 16:30
• Open to all professionals
• For reservation, please RSVP

Monday 30 January
IFFR PRO DEBATE: COPRODUCTION MARKETS: DESIGNING THE FUTURE

Coproduction markets are playing a key role in launching and positioning film projects in every stage of development. In order to address the constant changes in the industry and to redesign the format to a more efficient one for film professionals, CineLink, in collaboration with CineMart, the Holland Film Meeting and Cannes Marche du Film/Next Pavilion launched the Think Tank initiative.

For the third edition of Think Tank, CineMart will host a broad panel of invited key market players and professionals exchanging ideas, practices and will report on current developments and future steps towards enhanced models and formats of the coproduction markets worldwide.

• de Doelen, Arcadis Zaal, 1st floor
• Monday 30 January, 11:00 – 13:00
• Open to all professionals
• For reservation, please RSVP

IFFR PRO PANEL: HUBERT BALS FUND RESHAPED

A discussion introducing what’s new, explaining how it works and sharing past experiences of three HBF supported filmmakers. With Iwana Chronis and Fay Breeman and directors and producers Michel Lipkes (Mexico), John Torres (Philippines) and Marina Meliande (Brazil).

• de Doelen, Filmmakers Hub, 4th floor
• Monday 30 January, 11.00 – 12.30
• Open to all professionals
• For reservation, please RSVP

IFFR PRO STATE OF FESTIVALS DEBATE: “ONE OF A KIND”

How do festivals stay true to their founding principles in a climate where culture and creation are being challenged and threatened? How can festivals remain political in an age of political polarization and meet new audience’s demands?

A debate about the state of festivals in 2017 with Lorna Tee (Cinema Asia), Mark Peranson (Locarno), Cintia Gil (DocLisboa), Paolo Moretti (La Roche sur Yon FF), Fran Gayo (BAFICI), Stephen Kent Jusick (NewYork based Queer-film programmer), Evgeny Gusyatinskiy (IFFR). Moderated by Joanna Lapinska (Transatlantyk Festival).

• de Doelen, Filmmakers Hub, 4th floor
• Monday 30 January, 14.00 – 15.30
• Open to all professionals
• For reservation, please RSVP

PARALLAX VIEWS: THOMAS ELSAESSER – THE CINEMA OF ABJECTION

Film historian Thomas Elsaesser explains his theory of abjection on the basis of films from this programme.

• de Doelen, Arcadis Zaal, 1st floor
• Monday 30 January, 15.00 – 17.00
• Open to all professionals

Tuesday 31 January
IFFR PRO PANEL: CINEMA REALITY (CHECK) 

Exploring the sustainability of the new models in exhibition and comparative analysis of non-traditional and traditional platforms. Technology, industry developments and audience habits changed the landscape. Do we adapt fast enough to these constant changes and how they affect content and its visibility? How these new models minimize the risk and how do public fundings follow recent developments in exhibition sector?

Exploring some of these key questions in international and local practices through first hand experiences with Bobby Allen (Mubi), Anke van Diejen and Noortje van de Sande (Filmthuis) & Roberto Olla (Eurimages). Moderated by Hayet Benkara

• de Doelen, Filmmakers Hub, 4th floor
• Tuesday 31 January, 11.00 – 12.30
• Open to all professionals
• For reservation, please RSVP

IFFR PRO PANEL: THE MARIANO LLINÁS ANTI-LAB

An increasing number of independent films are being shaped by talent labs, script editorials and project platforms. While these labs are supportive of films that may otherwise not have even existed, they have become a Industry to themselves, functioning with the dynamics not all too different from the regular Industry… and only slightly less ferocious. Have the talent labs become places of indoctrination and coercion, where young filmmakers are being told how to make their film and experimentation is being stifled?

In this Anti-Lab Mariano Llinás demonstrates a path forward for filmmakers who want to continue working outside of the conventional forms of financing and modes of production.

With Mariano Llinás and Laura Citarella.

• de Doelen, Filmmakers Hub, 4th floor
• Tuesday 31 January, 15.00 – 16.30
• Open to all professionals
• For reservation, please RSVP

Wednesday 1 February
IFFR PRO PANEL: CULTIVATING AUDIENCES 

Working at several layers (production, international sales, distribution and exhibition) is key to efficient marketing and distribution strategies, but what can be done at each level and how to connect these initiatives? This panel will gather experts from different sectors to discuss audience building at every stage of a film’s life. With Babette Wijntjes (Cinemien), Sarah Perks (HOME), Jan Naszewski (New Europe Film Sales), Jan de Vries (Kino Rotterdam) and Film Marketing strategist Mathias Noschis (Alphapanda). Moderated by Madeleine Molyneaux

In cooperation with Europa Distribution

• de Doelen, Filmmakers Hub, 4th floor
• Wednesday 1 February, 11.00 – 12.30
• Open to all filmmakers
• For reservation, please RSVP

CONTACT

For questions and reservations, please email: filmoffice@IFFR.com

HISTORY

THE IFFR PRO PANELS HAVE OVER THE PAST YEARS WELCOMED KEY INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY PLAYERS:

We welcomed, amongst others, Roberto Olla (Eurimages), distributors such as Eve Gabereau (Soda Pictures),Richard Abramowitz (Abramorama) producers such as Mike S. Ryan (Greyshack Films), Carlo Cresto Dina (Tempesta Films), James Stark (Starksales Inc.), Paul Miller (Escape Pictures), Joslyn Barnes (Louverture Films), Simon Field (Illuminations Films), Joost de Vries (Lemming Film), Scott Macaulay (Forensic Film), Benjamin Domenech (Rei Cine), Lorna Tee (Paperheart), Sales Agents such as Michael Weber (The Match Factory), Pierre Menahem, Nelleke Driessen (Fortissimo), Ryan Kampe (Visit Film), Susan Wendt (Trust Nordisk), Olivier Heitz (MK2), Sandro Fiorin (Figa Films), Gabor Greiner (Films Boutique) and executives from funds and funding platforms like Andrew Goldman (Cinereach), Elizabeth Holm (Kickstarter) and Tamir Muhammad (Tribeca Film Fund).

Further speakers have included festival programmers and directors such as Eva Sangiorgi (Ficunam, Mexico), Paolo Moretti (La Roche sur Yon FF), Cintia Gil (DocLisboa), Paolo Bertolin (Venice Film Festival), Thure Munkholm (CPH:Pix), Hans Hurch (Viennale), Marco Müller, Elad Samorzik (Jerusalem IFF), Tine Fischer (CPH: Dox), Nashen Moodley (Sidney FF), Rebecca de Pas (FidMarseille), Gulin Ustun (Meetings on the Bridge), Gustavo Beck (Olhar de Cinema) and Mads Mikkelsen (CPH:DOX).
Filmmakers such as Alice Rohrwacher, Benjamin Crotty, Dominga Sotomayor, Fellipe Barbosa, Nathan Silver, Babak Jalali, Nicolas Pereda, Laura Guzman and Fien Troch have been guest speakers.

B2B and digital distributors and online platforms from Festival Scope, Under the Milky Way, Distrify, Youtube, Kickstarter and other delegates from the UK, USA, Germany, Italy, France, China, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Denmark.

Moderators have included Louis Tisné, Wendy Mitchell, Kathleen McInnis, Madeleine Molyneaux, Franz Rodenkirchen, Nick Roddick, Hayet Benkara, Marie-Pierre Duhamel, Orly Ravid and others.