IFFS International Film Festival Summit Austin

Registration, Brunch & Exhibit Floor Opens

Courtesy of Eventbrite and ETM

First-time IFFS Attendee Orientation

State of the Industry Address

Anatomy of Programming: Toronto International Film Festival®

Arguably the most anticipated and star-studded film festival in the world (a certain French one excepted), Toronto International Film Festival prides itself on the depth and breadth of its programming. The Toronto International Film Festival® , will provide a behind the scenes look at  “The Anatomy of Programming: Toronto International Film Festival®”.

The team will be discussing how it discovers the best World and Canadian cinema for the festival and at TIFF Bell Lightbox, 365 days a year. Learn from Programmer Agata Smoluch Del Sorbo (Canadian Feature Films), Colin Geddes (Vanguardand Midnight Madness programmes), Jane Schoettle (Australia, New Zealand, Israel, American independent cinema) and Magali Simard (the Festival’s Short Cuts Canada programme as well as New Releases and TIFF Cinematheque, and at TIFF Bell Lightbox) and gain insight into how, piece by piece, TIFF finds and programs the world’s finest films.

Panelist: Agata Smoluch Del Sorbo, Programmer (Canadian feature films), Toronto International Film Festival
Panelist: Colin Geddes, Programmer (Midnight Madness and Vanguard programmes), Toronto International Film Festival
Panelist: Jane Schoettle, International Programmer, Toronto International Film Festival
Panelist: Magali Simard, Programmer (The Festival’s Short Cuts Canada programme as well as New Releases and TIFF Cinematheque, and at TIFF Bell Lightbox), Toronto International Film Festival

Introduction to your Living Group

Back by popular demand you’ll have the opportunity to meet with your conference ‘Living Group’. Attendees will be grouped together so that starting on day one you have the chance to meet new contacts and maximize your conference experience.

Chair: Liana Bender, Development Director, California Film Institute

In addition to meeting your Living Group for the first time you will also take part in an interactive discussion and problem solving activity on some of the most pressing issues festivals are currently faced with.

Leveraging Distribution at your Festival

Hear from experts from Lantern Lane Entertainment, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, GoDigital Distribution,Traction Media, and Film Festival Flix as these pioneers of digital distribution discuss how they have successfully leveraged digital technologies through the evolution of their business models to benefit festivals and filmmakers.

Moderator: David Garber, Lantern Lane Entertainment
Panelist: Logan Mulvey, CEO, GOdigital
Panelist: Eric Stein, Programming & Acquisitions, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution
Panelist: Maren Olson, Executive, Traction Media
Panelist: Benjamin Oberman, President / CEO, Film Festival Flix
Panelist: Rick Allen, CEO, SnagFilms

Networking Break on the Exhibit Floor

Opening Keynote: “The Indie World’s Top Powerhouse Lawyer, Super Sales Agent and Academy Award®-winning  Executive Producer”

The Corporate lawyer turned -top film sales agent and executive producer at Cinetic Media, John Sloss, has brokered major bombshell festival deals like Napoleon Dynamite, Super Size Me and Little Miss Sunshine. Learn from the man credited with the label “King of Sundance” as he tells us what every festival needs to know about the indie film market.

To be streamed live courtesy of Festival Genius

Cocktail Reception on the Exhibit Floor

Courtesy of ETM and Film Festival Flix

Beverages compliments of Lagunitas, Dulce Vida, Deep Eddy Vodka, Naked Grape

Riverboat After Party

Come all ye IMFCON/IFFS friends! On Sunday night, December 8, please join JAMBASE.COM and LAGUNITAS BREWING COMPANY for an after party bash aboard the Lonestar Riverboat. Located 100 ft from the Hyatt Hotel, we’ll be packed with complimentary beers, soft drinks, tasty nosh and a full set of music from San Francisco’s own, “Brothers Comatose.” The boat will be docked from 8 – 10:15pm. From there, we’ll take a spin around the lake and be docked by 11pm.

Courtesy of Jambase and Lagunitas

Registration & Exhibit Floor Opens

Filmmakers – From the Other Side of the Fence

As a filmmaker, especially first-timers, it’s hard to crack the code on having a successful experience at a film festival. Navigating your film through the film festival circuit has its ups and downs, but whether you are heading to Sundance or Telluride this session can give you a step-by-step guide on what role film festivals play in a filmmaker’s life.

Moderator: Dana Harris, Editor-in-Chief, Indiewire
Panelist: Thom Zimney, Director (Bruce Springsteen: A Conversation with His Fans & The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town)
Panelist: Glen Zipper, Producer of the Academy Award Winning Undefeated
Panelist: Eric Steel, Filmmaker and Producer (The Bridge &  KISS THE WATER)
Panelist: John Chuldenko,  Director, Producer, Actor (Nesting & Thirteen or Bust)

Networking &  Coffee Break on the Exhibit Floor

Courtesy of  The Texas Film Commission

Keynote: 

Great Minds Think Out Loud: A Conversation with Barbara Boyle and John Sayles

What happens when you get two of the best minds in Hollywood together?

Associate Dean of Entrepreneurship and Special Initiatives for the School of Theater, Film and Television at UCLA, Barbara Boyle’s resume reflects a successful career as a producer, distributor and executive for many acclaimed feature films including “My Left Foot,” “Bottle Rocket”, “Cinema Paradiso,” “Reversal of Fortune,” “Impromptu” and “The Commitments.” Her films have been nominated for over twenty Academy Awards®.

As an Academy Award®, Golden Globe, Sundance and Cannes Film Festival nominated writer and director, John Sayles has been an integral player in the independent film world. Renowned for his passion for creating uncompromising independent films, while balancing mainstream success, Sayles has made 17 films including “Matewan,” “Return of the Secaucus 7,” and “Men With Guns.” We reunite these industry leaders (25 years after “Eight Men Out”) for what will surely be a fascinating discussion on the state of the independent film world.

Expansion of Your Support- Working with Educational Institutions, Film Commissions and the Community

A growing trend includes expanding your festivals to create a dynamic relationship that has the potential to benefit the local community as a whole. Whether it’s working with local universities and film commissions or including opportunities for community action, find out how this process works and how to take advantage of this at your festival.

Moderator: Kelly DeVine, Artistic Director, Global Peace Film Festival
Panelist: Drew Mayer-Oakes, Director, Film San Antonio / San Antonio Film Commission
Panelist: Anne Ashbey, Executive Director, Ashland Independent Film Festival
Panelist: Paul Cohen, Director, FSU College of Motion Picture Arts “Torchlight Program”
Panelist: Colleen Curlin, Director, Industry and Media Relations, LA Music Video Festival

Navigating the Virtual World – Expanding your Festival Online

With major film festivals popping up around the country, how can your fest stand out from all the rest? Attendees will come away understanding the scope of online streaming, marketing and social media tools that are sure to attract, engage and create buzz around your festival; allowing you to capitalize on these audience-heavy marketing tools.

Moderator: Anthony Layser, Content Development Chief, Dailymotion US
Panelist: Melissa Golding, Digital Content Manager, SXSW
Panelist: Greg Sorvig, Director of Marketing & Communications, Heartland Film Festival
Panelist: Bob Alexander, Director, Indiepix Films
Panelist: Ben Rolling, VP, Product & Development, AEG Live
Panelist: Daniel Sol, Co-Director, HollyShorts Film Festival

Programming-Behind the Curtain of Film Festivals

Take a look into the festival world through the eyes of a film festival programmer. Is it a dream job? Or is mastering the mechanics of the selection process, paying licensing fees and pressure from studios too complex? In this session get a sense of why the role of a programmer is the ‘arbiter of taste’ that sets the stage for cultural trends and learn how the under-examined fundamental role of programming in film festivals is quintessential in the decision-making process and can be a daunting and exhilarating task.

Moderator: Janet Pierson, Head of SXSW Film
Panelist: Genna Terranova, Director of Programming, Tribeca Film Festival
Panelist: Rodney Perkins, Programmer, Fantastic Fest
Panelist: Bears Fonte, Director of Programming, Austin Film Festival

Sponsorships: The ‘Wow’ Factor

Festival paradigms are evolving and the sponsorship template is shifting as well. Savvy festivals have retooled their proposals and are activating in new and innovative ways. In this session learn how festivals and their sponsors have tailored their partnerships to create the ‘wow’ factor; resulting in successful partnerships and memorable audience experiences

Moderator: Gail Lowney Alofsin, Director of Corporate Partnerships, Newport Harbor Corporation
Panelist: Franca Miraglia, Director, Sponsorship, Toronto International Film Festival
Panelist: Beau Blanchard, Development Manager, California Film Institute
Panelist: Jenny Song, Director of Corporate Partnerships at Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Panelist: Austin Duke, Field Brand Manager Texas/Colorado, The Naked Grape Wine
Panelist:  Kari Pearlstein, Global Account Director, NYC , Starwood Hotels and Resorts

Afternoon Networking Break on Exhibit Floor

Drill Down Sessions:

Prepare to ask questions as our Drill Down facilitators address industry topics on a more intimate level providing insight, advice and feedback to your questions you can’t get answered anywhere else!

• Festival career
• Starting a festival
• Sponsorship
• Facilitating
• Social media
• Ticketing
• Programming
• Budgets & revenue streams
• Legal
• Special challenges/ Genre Film Festivals
• Filmmakers and festivals
• Distribution
• Grant writing
• Print Traffic, DCP, and other digital issues

Cocktail Reception on the Exhibit Floor

Courtesy of Front Gate Tickets

Beverages compliments of Lagunitas, Dulce Vida, Deep Eddy Vodka, Naked Grape

Registration & Exhibit Floor Opens

The Economic Impact of a Festival

Between festival-related and visitor spending, festivals continue to have a resounding economic impact on communities and can produce over millions of dollars that benefits everyone involved. What impacts can festivals have on communities beyond a 3 or 4 day economic stimulus? How can the economics of festivals serve the community years after the event? Learn from festivals that have capitalized on this concept while simultaneously benefiting the community, boosting tourism, creating jobs, increasing educational outreach and supporting local businesses.

Moderator: Joan Kornblith, Music Correspondent, Voice of America
Panelist: Nick Algee, Planet Roo Manager, Bonnaroo
Panelist: Scott Aiges,Director of Programs, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation
Panelist: Catlin Whitington, Planner, SXSW
Panelist: Michael Harker,Senior Partner, Enigma Research
Panelist: Ben Loftsgaarden, Partner, Greyhill Advisor

Crowdfunding and Beyond: The Future of Film and Festival Finance

As a new exploding trend, crowdfunding sites like IndieGoGo continue to make headlines as they uncover innovative ways to bring today’s brightest up-and-coming project creators’ vision directly to their audience. In this session take a behind-the-scenes look into how crowdfunding has evolved, innovative methods for film and festival finance and an inside look into how filmmakers, Katie Graham and Andrew Matthews, used IndieGoGo’s platform to help fund their film “Zero Charisma.”

Panelist: David Marlett, Founder and Executive Director, National Crowdfunding Association
Panelist: Marc Hofstatter, Film Executive, IndieGoGo
Panelist: Katie Graham, Filmmaker (Zero Charisma)
Panelist: Andrew Matthews, Filmmaker (Zero Charisma)

Networking Break on the Exhibit Floor

Sparking the Formation of a Filmmaking Community-Case Study 

Film festivals have the ability to grow the filmmaking community, allowing aspiring community members to become filmmakers by learning the skills and knowledge needed to produce theatrical motion pictures. In this case study you will learn from two film industry leaders who had a passion to make a difference and “Spark the Formation of a Filmmaking Community”

Presenter: Terry Scerbak, Director, Reel Shorts Film Festival
Presenter: Scott Belyea, Filmmaker

Smooth Operations and Onsite Activation

The operations team of any festival are the engine that drives the machine and it takes a smooth operator to assure logistical expertise to successfully execute a film festival. From venue management and volunteer coordinating to day-to-day operations and budget management you’d think these guys carried the title of Superman? In this session learn from those that have successfully coordinated all aspects of festival operations so that your festival will soar to success!

Panelist: Derek Call, Festival Producer, AFI Fest
Panelist: Jeromy Zajonc, Director of Operations, Mill Valley Film Festival
Panelist: Lee Papert, Executive Director, Dallas International Film Festival

Closing Keynote

Closing Cocktail Reception on the Exhibit Floor

Courtesy of DeliRadio

Beverages compliments of Lagunitas, Dulce Vida, Deep Eddy Vodka, Naked Grape