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.

Ted LeonsisDebra ZimmermanThe 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