Abstract:

Over the past few years, the landscape of film financing has undergone considerable changes - and continues to be in flux. The ongoing democratization of the means of film production has triggered an avalanche of competition in independent film, making it more difficult for even the most talented filmmakers to stand out from the crowd. On the other hand, the business of film is attracting a wider and more diverse range of financing sources than ever.

In this environment, many of the old rules no longer apply. While content remains king, it is more critical than ever that filmmakers take a systematic and business savvy approach to getting their films made - be it narratives or documentaries, features or shorts, or experimental work. To thrive on the challenges ahead, filmmakers are well advised to transform themselves from creative masterminds and technical mavens into holistic film entrepreneurs who navigate business and financial waters as competently and confidently as creative and technical ones. After all, the complex and wonderful process of filmmaking starts and ends with the money, for better or worse.

Similarly, film investors and finance intermediaries (e.g.: bankers, VC's, attorneys, executive producers) are urged to take a close look not only at (notoriously hard to evaluate) screenplays, talent attachments, and production budgets but, in particular, also at business strategies expertly designed to ensure financing, distribution, and marketing success.

For filmmakers and financiers alike, there is no better place to start than the film business plan - a film entrepreneur's systematic roadmap for success, and the single most important document any film investor needs to see, evaluate, and understand.

As filmmaker or financier, or if you are simply curious about film financing, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you know how to create a sound & solid investment case for any film project?
• Can you tell winning business strategies in film from those likely to fail?
• Do you know how to identify & describe target audiences & estimate market size?
• Are you familiar with the range of film buyers?
• Can you exhaustively list, evaluate & discuss relevant revenue sources?
• Have you ever walked through all of the income streams for a film?
• Are you clear on the tradeoffs between self-distribution and using a distributor?
• Have you comprehensively explored the marketing options for a film?
• Can you "run the numbers" on a film project from start to finish?

The Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF), our Founder & Chairman, Thomas Trenker, and our partners at De Anza College cordially invite you to get answers to these and other questions at a hands-on seminar with distinguished film business advisor Jeffrey Hardy. Our seasoned instructor's insights are not simply based on anecdotal evidence or varying personal experience, but on the thorough and comprehensive analysis of an accomplished industry expert. What is more, the lessons conveyed are specifically relevant to the financing of films in the Bay Area and greater Northern California region, as opposed to the Hollywood ecosystem or the East Coast where distinctively different rules may apply. Those looking to raise funds from Silicon Valley-type investors are well advised to participate in this high-value yet low-cost, intensive seminar.

Instructor:

Jeffrey Hardy is President of San Francisco-based business planning firm, Big Horse, a leading authority on film business plans, and a respected author on film related topics. Big Horse has been providing consulting services to producers, distributors and financiers (including banks and film funds) for seventeen years. Clients have included 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Studios, the BBC, International Creative Management, and other major players in motion pictures as well as hundreds of independent filmmakers.

Jeffrey brings his extensive, hands-on experience into the Workshop to help you see a film concept through the discerning eye of a financier and distributor.

Previously, Jeffrey served as the President of the Independent Feature Project (IFP) of Northern California, and led the organization through its most successful high-growth period. He also founded the Independent Filmmakers of Northern California, which he headed for three years before consolidating it into IFP under his tenure there.

Workshop Venue:

De Anza College
Hinson Campus Center — Conference Rooms A & B
21250 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95112
408.864.5678
directions | campus map | area map

Located 45 miles south of San Francisco, De Anza College occupies a 112-acre site in Cupertino in the heart of Silicon Valley. Cupertino is also home to Apple, Compaq, Sun, Hewlett-Packard, and many other high-technology firms.

The college is one of the largest, single-campus community colleges in the country with enrollment averaging 25,000 students. De Anza provides outstanding general education and vocational courses as well as interdisciplinary studies, community service opportunities, on-the-job-training, internships, collaborative programs with businesses and industries, and online and television classes.

Learn more about De Anza at their website.

Schedule:

Registration:

Online registration is available at http://iiff-seminar-da.mollyguard.com (bottom of page)

Early bird registration NLT October 28th:
IIFF Member ... $75 if pre-registered no later than October 28th
Non-member ... $100

Regular registration:
IIFF Member ... $100 if registered after October 28th
Non-member ... $125

On-site registration: at "regular" rate ($100/$125) plus $25, as long as space is still available.

NOTE: Non-member portion of Workshop fee can be credited towards IIFF annual membership fee.

To inquire about membership with IIFF, email us at membership@filmfinancing.org, or approach an IIFF staffer during the event.

Questions?

Please direct your questions and inquiries regarding this seminar to IIFF's Academy team at academy@filmfinancing.org! We look forward to hearing from you.

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