Wednesday, March 5---------In the past number of years, major film festivals around the world has seen it as their mission to not only exhibit the best films available, but also to serve as a breeding ground for new projects to get launched, financed and distributed. To this end, the Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) has joined the ranks of such major film festival events as Cannes, Berlin, Rotterdam, Pusan, Dubai and several others, in organizing parallel industry events designed to st...

 The Film Financing Circle (FFC) is an integral program in the inaugural Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi.  The FFC takes place from October 15 - 17, 2007 at the Emirates Palace, and presents a multifaceted approach to elevating the international entertainment community's awareness of Abu Dhabi's emergence onto the film scene. The FFC encompasses several extraordinary events guaranteed to optimize networking connections between international financiers and film executives f...

I wasn't able to attend the Finance Conference, but Kristina F. Jordan was and she sent in this:Firstly, it was held in the newly opened (only three weeks old) Landmark Theatres at Pico and Westwood, which significantly elevates the theatre going experience for indie audiences.  It looks good, it feels good, and there's a cool bar where we were hosted to tasty hor d'oeuvres and drinks by American Express during the lunch break and after conference reception.Secondly, given the chan...

Warner Independent Pictures acquired today all rights in North America and the UK to “Paradise Now,” the third feature by Hany Abu-Assad, announced Mark Gill, President of Warner Independent Pictures. The deal was negotiated by Paul Federbush, SVP Production and Acquisitions, Warner Independent Pictures, and Hengameh Panahi and Charlotte Mickie of Celluloid Dreams. “Paradise Now” was written by Abu-Assad and Bero Beyer, and produced by Bero Beyer of Augustus Film.“Paradise Now” fol...