Alice Kanterian

Angelique Jackson from Variety in  conversation with Sydney Netter, Niki Nikitin, THeo Dumont, Sydney Netter, and Blake Rice at the American Pavilion

Blake Rice is an award-winning director, screenwriter and producer. Graduating from Rowan University with a degree in Film & TV,  Blake began his professional directing career in 2018 with the film "To Whom It May Concern", acquired by DirectTV, starring Gabriella Piazza.  Follow up projects included "People Like You", where he received Best Director at the New York City International Film Festival in 2019. His most recent short film "Tea", starring Michael Gandolfini & Olivia Nikkanen, had its world premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.  I met Blake at the American Pavilion, here he was part of a panel on short films exploiring the important role shorts play in the film ecosystem. 

INDUSTRY IN FOCUS: SHORT FILMS
A discussion about the important role shorts play in the film ecosystem.
● Theo Dumont / Co-Founder & Co-Director / HollyShorts Film Festival
● Sydney Netter / International Sales Agent / SND Films
● Nikolaj Niki Nikitin / Head of Finance & Operations / T-Port
● Blake Rice / Filmmaker, Tea / Cannes Short Film Competition

Ampav Shorts

AngeliqueJackson Variety

what makes Cannes unique? We habe here the market and the short film corner in Cannes

Micki, I got deprressed, its all about the money , people are here to buy aand sell films, its the strongest market, You mistz be prepared, do research, you must watch films, it is important to watch, you must find a good balance.

Theo DumontHolly Sort Do research, go to parties, but dontg be naive , you will not find a buyer, technology is getting more sophisticated,

SIDney Neder Sales Agent SNDYou must , pay tv channels before, a lot of buyers prefere to go to Clermont ferat festivals, all prodicers in the world are here,

Blake Rice A lot of oportunities here

what was your goal in Cannes. It is ia diffeent fotrm than features. A form where you can proove,

Theodore, you must grab it in the first 3 Minutes-

Blake 1 min, you have only 1 minute, Shorts stands alone, we love short

Niki Nikitin We had Martin Scorsese this year in Berlin. Jean Paul Sartre writes in the first book whta he wants to say and in the next films alterations of this.

Cohen Brohers, Wes Anderson , each film is different, Cinema is a window to the world. As a gestival representives, dont ask us what to shoot. Films have a position. .

The second act, in the first min of rubber, is more action going on the we want to like your film, Lubitsch, dont bore dont confuse, a short film must be very precise

Sid if the film starts with I it cant be a good film, And if its 30 ijn it freally miust be good. IO lovde films based on reality. Sex cells. Im not the only sales agebt who sells shorts. We decided ti have a a section, and good is that the films curated are good quality. We are sales agets who sales international platforms. If you reach out tp sales agent you better check before the catalogue. I diont do a lot of drama, anut other agent like it. Dont harass people too much. If you have the money

what is the best way to do a pitch. Micky, Who are you pitdhing to, funder, sponsor, studio, distzributoe. Biut you can not plan all of iot. Be funny , be , Best way to approch is to comment a film in the festival. Wbat is the best way. Practice the pitsch, elevator pitch we knoe abot, Susann Sonntag was rewriting her articles 70 times. hmmage to history of cinema, Girls wit a need?

BLAKE ARE YOU MOTIVATED; dO THE CARE FOR THIS ROLE;i PAY ATTENTION WHO READY TO B E PASIONAZE:

How do you gret visibilaty. Judy Garland,,, be visible,N HAVE A GOOD TITLE FOR THE FILMS; lINKE aBDREA aRNOLD; LIKE bird BY aNDREA aRNOL; AND VERY GOOD TAGS: gO TO YOUR FILMY; THIS IS HOW ; MORE PEOPLE WATCH YOUR TRAILER THAN

nIKI the film

Blake I did you go in, find oit abouttherv

Alice Kanterian