Sold out sessions @ VIFF’s 22nd Annual Film and Television Forum

The VIFF’s 22nd Annual Film and Television Forum delivered boffo box office as this year’s showcase of award-winning speakers propelled figures to an incredible 30% increase over last year.

Sold-out sessions included The Art of Creative Producing with PGA Producer of the Year Ron Yerxa (Little Miss Sunshine) and Mary Jane Skalski (Station Agent); Co-Venturing with the US featuring top execs from Regent Studios, Fox21tv, Lifetime TV, The N. and Insight Film Releasing; Robert Thirkell’s (Britain’s No. 1 Producer in 2006) C.O.N.F.L.I.C.T.; and TV Comedy Writing with Emmy Award -winning writer Paul Lieberstein (The Office).

The impressive four-day industry event culminated on a truly inspiring note with standing-room only crowds at the ever-popular New Filmmakers’ Day. Alex McDowell (Minority Report) and Philippe Rousellot (A River Runs Through It) shared their insights into the Director/Production Designer Relationship while Arin Crumley (Four Eyed Monsters) and Lance Weiller (Head Trauma) in Fast Forward: Filmmakers’ Seize Control inspired the next generation of filmmakers to take their films directly to market through innovative viral marketing and social networking strategies.

According to Forum Creative Director Helen du Toit, “The buzz was fantastic this year! The delegates were overwhelmingly enthusiastic in their response to this year's speakers.” Structural changes at the Forum helped build on last year's successes, “Without question, the new daily streamlined programming was a big hit with the delegates, with the focused program days providing for more opportunities than ever to network."