International Documentary Conference Offers Vital Information

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Friday, June 15------With more than 100 films to catch in a scant five days, it could be assumed that film screenings are the most important element of SILVERDOCS. However, for visiting and local filmmakers, media professionals and government/social organization reps, the parallel International Documentary Conference is where the meat of this event really lies. A series of information panels, master classes and discussions have been assembled that cover a multitude of topics.....from new sources of film funding to innovative uses of the internet to nitty-gritty legal and rights clearance issues. All told, the four day Conference is akin to taking a year long masters program......and is available at no cost to attending filmmakers and industry representatives.

[img_assist|nid=5226|title=Ted Leonsis|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=140|height=146][img_assist|nid=5228|title=Debra Zimmerman|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=99|height=150]The Conference Keynote Address was given yesterday by Ted Leonsis, Vice Chairman of America Online, producer of the historical documentary NANKING, and a  a leading philanthropist who has turned his attention to documentary film as a means of raising awareness of important social issues. Highlights of the Conference so far has been a three-part discussion of The Future of Real 2.0: an exhaustive review of the expanding world of interactive on-line communities, user-generated content and new distribution platforms; Filmanthropy, exploring innovative links between documentary, non-profits and advocacy groups; Becoming a Green Production House, detailing ways that production companies can become carbon neutral in the creation and disemination of their original film and video product; Spotlight on Discovery, an introduction to the multiple media platforms of Festival co--presenter Discovery Communications (including television, interactive, internet and mobile technology); A Blue Print on Fundraising for Documentaries, an exhaustive how-to series presented by Debra Zimmerman, president of producer/distributor Women Make Movies; Producing for U.S. Public Television, a multi-part seminar series on the ins and outs of producing for US public television outlets; and sessions on the programming, acquisition and commissioning priorities of critical industry players. 

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Online Dailies Editor