The 2008 IFFS Europe conference agenda. April 15 - 16

Tuesday, April 15, 2008 8:00 am Registration Begins and Networking Breakfast

9:00 am Opening Remarks by Conference Chair

Fred Kramer President and General Manager Withoutabox

9:15 am European Cinema and the World - Status and Future

European film continues to grow and expand across the globe and festivals play a critical role in this process. This exciting session will delve into the current state of Europena cinema and where it's headed.

Moderator: David Pope, CEO, New Producers Alliance
Grainne Humphreys, Festival Director, Dublin International Film Festival
Thom Palmen, Artistic Director, Umea International Film Festival

10:15 am Keynote Presentation

11:00 am General Panel Session:

Funding Your Film Festival: Sponsorships, Government Funds, In Kind/Barter, Submission Fees, Distribution Deals & What Else?

The most important issue facing the film festivals today is “How Do I Fund My Film Festival?” In this session we will address different ways that leading festivals fund themselves and talk about some unique ways you can continue to grow the various sources of funding for your film festival.

Francesco di Cesare, Sponsorship Director, Venice Film Festival
Erich Schultz, Festival Director, London Independent Film Festival
Melanie Crawley, Marketing and Business Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest
Sarah Smyth, Festival Operations Manager, Dublin International Film Festival

12:00 pm Networking Luncheon

1:30 pm General Panel Session: European Programming

A dynamic and compelling program is the hallmark of a great film festival. Selecting the right films for your festival and programming considerations will vary depending on location, audience and other factors. Hear from this esteemed panel of festivals what critical factors they take into consideration when programming their festivals.

Simon Field, Artistic Director, International Programming, Dubai International Film Festival
Andrea Galante, Festival Director, Milano International Film Festival

2:30 pm Round Table Breakout Sessions

• Sponsorships
  
• Programming
  Allison Gardner, Co-Director, Glasgow Film Festival
  
• Executive Management
  Helen de Witt, Festival Producer, BFI Film Festivals
  
• Acquisition & Distribution
  
• Publicity & PR
  
• Digital Technology

3:30 pm Afternoon Tea and Networking Break

4:00 pm General Panel Session: Content, Technology and your Film Festival

As the film and television viewer experience evolves, so must the outlets that promote and deliver this content. New technologies are disrupting the traditional distribution channels allowing for greater consumer choices and control. With the continued proliferation of film festivals their place in the value chain will serve to promote both independent film and educate the consumer about new services and ways to receive this content.

This panel will address how new technologies are impacting audiences, filmmakers, film festivals, and what new opportunities this will present for all of them. Hear from industry experts who are currently working with film festivals and other content owners about the changing landscape. Attendees will walk away with a greater understanding of innovative models for film distribution, how to use leading edge technology to get your audience and filmmakers more involved, and how these technologies can benefit your film festival.

Git Scheynius, Festival Director, Stockholm International Film Festival
Tomas Prasek, Co-Founder & Co-Director, Datakal
Heather Croall, Festival Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest

5:00 pm Opening Networking Reception

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

9:30 am Registration and Networking Breakfast

10:00 am Opening Remarks by Conference Chair

10:15 am Keynote Presentation

11:00 am General Session: Workshop: Selling More Sponsorship’s Immediately!

Our workshop on the essentials of sponsorship sales is designed with a single goal: helping you earn more money from corporate partnerships. Whether your deals average $5,000 or $1 million, Selling More Sponsorship is your opportunity to immediately turn your sponsorship into a more viable and more valuable opportunity. Selling More Sponsorship facilitates growth by providing you the newest tools for successfully selling in today's marketplace.

• Formulas for valuing benefits and pricing packages.
• Tools for signing local and national sponsors
• Using advance promotions to drive sales for sponsors
• The Impact of Ambush Marketing on sponsorships
• Top benefits marketing directors need to justify significant investment
• Key strategies for selling (standing apart from competition, maintaining the integrity of the festival, etc.)
• How to Keep Them Coming Back Year After Year

12:00 pm Networking Luncheon

1:15 pm General Session: Alternative Distribution: New Opportunities for Festivals and Filmmakers

Film buffs are suddenly eager to watch movies on all kinds of new platforms -- whether PCs, cell phones, portable devices, or on television sets linked to the Internet. Some festivals have experimented with making shorts and features available on these platforms for a limited time, expanding their audience reach. But filmmakers can be skittish, worrying that this new digital availability might damage their movie's value in the marketplace. How can festivals and filmmakers work together to address the challenges and take advantage of the new opportunities that alternative channels of distribution create? Bring your ideas and examples.

Elliot Grove, Founder and Director, Raindance Film Festival
Michael Cowan, Co-Founder and Joint CEO, Spice Factory and Velvet Octopus
Bob Alexander, President, IndiePix

2:15 pm General Panel Session: Media & Film Festivals: Roles and Relationships

The role and relationship of film festivals to the media is a paramount concern not only impacting coverage of the festival but films in competition. Understanding how to approach the media, what constitutes good press, appropriate relationships with journalists, credentialing issues, roles & responsibilities of press at a festival are all critical areas that a festival can execute flawlessly. Don't miss this informative session addressing the ins-and-outs of how to effectively work with the media.

Moderator: Rose Chamberlain, Editor-in-Chief, The Film Festival Magazine

Allison Gardner, Co-Director, Glasgow Film Festival
Bruno Chatelin, Co founder filmfestivals.com and fest21.com

3:15 pm Afternoon Tea and Networking Break

3:45 pm General Panel Session: Goals & Expectations: Developing Your Own Strategy for Realistic and Attainable Success

Moderator: Tomas Prasek, Co-Founder & Co-Director, Datakal

Helen de Witt, Festival Producer, BFI Film Festivals

4:45 pm Closing Networking Reception