The INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SUMMIT (IFFS) is the annual conference and trade show for professionals from the film festival industry. The International Film Festival Summit provides a platform for the community to explore ways to collaborate and promote the advancement of the film festival industry. 
The IFFS is dedicated to providing resources, information and avenues of communication for industry professionals, vendors, & anyone committed to the film festival industry. It is committed to the idea that film festivals are an important cultural celebration, a powerful voice in our society, and increasingly play a vital role in connecting not only the local communities they serve, but the world globally.

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