Final Program for the Festival Summit

Meet filmfestivals.com Bruno Chatelin at upcoming Festival Summit in London, a speaker in the panels.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 8:00 am Registration Begins and Morning Refreshments
9:00 am Opening Remarks by Conference Chair
Fred Kramer
President and General Manager
Withoutabox

9:15 am European Cinema and the World - Status and Future

European film continues to grow and expand across the globe and festivals play a critical role in this process. This exciting session will delve into the current state of European cinema and where it's headed.

Moderator: David Pope, CEO, New Producers Alliance

Grainne Humphreys, Festival Director, Dublin International Film Festival
Gareth Jones, Executive Producer, Gareth Jones Media Services


10:15 am General Panel Session: Content, Technology and your Film Festival

As the film and television viewer experience evolves, so must the outlets that promote and deliver this content. New technologies are disrupting the traditional distribution channels allowing for greater consumer choices and control. With the continued proliferation of film festivals their place in the value chain will serve to promote both independent film and educate the consumer about new services and ways to receive this content.

This panel will address how new technologies are impacting audiences, filmmakers, film festivals, and what new opportunities this will present for all of them. Hear from industry experts who are currently working with film festivals and other content owners about the changing landscape. Attendees will walk away with a greater understanding of innovative models for film distribution, how to use leading edge technology to get your audience and filmmakers more involved, and how these technologies can benefit your film festival.

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

Liz Rosenthal, Founder, Earthly Delights Films
Tomas Prasek, Co-Founder & Co-Director, Datakal
Heather Croall, Festival Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest
Fred Kramer, President & GM, Withoutabox

11:00 am General Panel Session: Funding Your Film Festival: Sponsorships, Government Funds, In Kind/Barter, Submission Fees, Distribution Deals & What Else?

The most important issue facing the film festivals today is “How Do I Fund My Film Festival?” In this session we will address different ways that leading festivals fund themselves and talk about some unique ways you can continue to grow the various sources of funding for your film festival.

Arnaud Pasquali, Head of MEDIA Promotion, Markets & Festivals, MEDIA
Erich Schultz, Festival Director, London Independent Film Festival
Melanie Crawley, Marketing and Business Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest



12:00 pm Networking Luncheon Sponsored by Withoutabox

1:30 pm General Panel Session: European Programming

A dynamic and compelling program is the hallmark of a great film festival. Selecting the right films for your festival and programming considerations will vary depending on location, audience and other factors. Hear from this esteemed panel of festivals what critical factors they take into consideration when programming their festivals.

Moderator: Mark Higham, Chief Executive, Film Club

Simon Field, Artistic Director, International Programming, Dubai International Film Festival
Andrea Galante, Festival Director, Milano International Film Festival
Tony Jones, Director, Cambridge International Film Festival

2:30 pm Round Table Breakout Sessions

Don’t miss this interactive and intimate discussion amongst your colleagues and peers toasting an incredible day of thought leadership and networking. This session will provide delegates with an opportunity to delve deeper into conference topics and themes, sharing their unique perspective and experiences. Working groups will have the opportunity to share results and findings with other conference delegates.


Sponsorships
Pippa Collett, Managing Director, Sponsorship Consulting Limited

Programming
Allison Gardner, Co-Director, Glasgow Film Festival

Executive Management
Helen de Witt, Festival Producer, BFI Film Festivals

Acquisition & Distribution
Andy Whittaker, Managing Director, Dogwoof Pictures

Publicity & PR
Bruno Chatelin, COO, Filmfestivals.com

Digital Technology
Tomas Prasek, Co-Founder & Co-Director, Datakal

3:30 pm Afternoon Tea and Networking Break

4:00 pm Workshop: Selling More Sponsorship’s Immediately!

Our workshop on the essentials of sponsorship sales is designed with a single goal: helping you earn more money from corporate partnerships. Whether your deals average $5,000 or $1 million, Selling More Sponsorship is your opportunity to immediately turn your sponsorship into a more viable and more valuable opportunity. Selling More Sponsorship facilitates growth by providing you the newest tools for successfully selling in today's marketplace.

Formulas for valuing benefits and pricing packages.
Tools for signing local and national sponsors
Using advance promotions to drive sales for sponsors
The Impact of Ambush Marketing on sponsorships
Top benefits marketing directors need to justify significant investment
Key strategies for selling (standing apart from competition, maintaining the integrity of the festival, etc.)
How to Keep Them Coming Back Year After Year
Pippa Collett
Managing Director
Sponsorship Consulting Limited

5:00 pm Opening Networking Reception

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

8:30 am Registration and Morning Refreshments
9:00 am Opening Remarks by Conference Chair

9:05 am General Session

Why and How Festivals Can Enhance the Production Sector

Festivals have long been the connection between the production sector and public audiences. In recent years there has been strong growth in the development of “markets” at festivals that have sought to create a fertile environment for producers, distributors, sales agents and financiers to engage and develop new work. But just as important as how to do this is the Why. An engaging panel of experts will discuss the need for festivals to embrace a professional business approach when considering moving in to this arena and the importance of relationships with government funding agencies.

Moderator: David Pope, CEO, New Producers Alliance

Adrian Wooton, Chief Executive, Film London
Thierry Baujard, CEO, Peaceful Fish
Charlie Bloye, Chief Executive, Film Export UK
Leon Morgan, Head of Media Department, Davenport Lyons

10:00 am Morning Networking Break

10:30 am Keynote Presentation


Geoffrey Gilmore
Director
Sundance Film Festival

11:30 am Presentation: Festival Without Limits
Git Scheynius
Festival Director
Stockholm International Film Festival

12:00 pm Networking Luncheon
1:15 pm General Session: Alternative Distribution: New Opportunities for Festivals and Filmmakers

Film buffs are suddenly eager to watch movies on all kinds of new platforms -- whether PCs, cell phones, portable devices, or on television sets linked to the Internet. Some festivals have experimented with making shorts and features available on these platforms for a limited time, expanding their audience reach. But filmmakers can be skittish, worrying that this new digital availability might damage their movie's value in the marketplace. How can festivals and filmmakers work together to address the challenges and take advantage of the new opportunities that alternative channels of distribution create? Bring your ideas and examples.

Moderator: Andy Whittaker, Managing Director, Dogwoof Pictures

Claudio Scotto di Carlo, Chief Editor, Babelgum
Elliot Grove, Founder and Director, Raindance Film Festival
Michael Cowan, Co-Founder and Joint CEO, Spice Factory and Velvet Octopus
Bob Alexander, President, IndiePix
Nathan Van Den Bosch, CEO, The NEB

2:15 pm General Panel Session: Media & Film Festivals: Roles and Relationships

The role and relationship of film festivals to the media is a paramount concern not only impacting coverage of the festival but films in competition. Understanding how to approach the media, what constitutes good press, appropriate relationships with journalists, credentialing issues, roles & responsibilities of press at a festival are all critical areas that a festival can execute flawlessly. Don't miss this informative session addressing the ins-and-outs of how to effectively work with the media.

Moderator: Rose Chamberlain, Editor-in-Chief, Film & Festivals

Allison Gardner, Co-Director, Glasgow Film Festival
Bruno Chatelin, COO, Filmfestivals.com
Dan Light, Head of Interactive, Picture Production Company
Stuart Kemp, UK Bureau Chief, The Hollywood Reporter

3:15 pm Afternoon Tea and Networking Break

3:45 pm General Panel Session: Goals & Expectations: Developing Your Own Strategy for Realistic and Attainable Success

Moderator: Tony Jones, Director, Cambridge International Film Festival

Helen de Witt, Festival Producer, BFI Film Festivals
Laurent Crouzeix, International Selection Committee, Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival
Rosana Golden, Director, The Angel Film Awards - Monaco International Film Festival
Kate Taylor, Co-Director, Halloween London Short Film Festival
Gyda Myklebust, New Nordic Films Director, The Norwegian International Film Festival

4:45 pm Closing Networking Reception