Contact Institute for Int'l Film Financing (IIFF) for event and ticket information.
*** SOLD OUT ***
This "grassroots" community event of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) features a powerful roster of highly topical speakers from the worlds of film and finance. We are delighted to again welcome real-world financiers among our guests for the evening.
IIFF's unique mission is to sustainably expand the scope & appeal of film financing, and to do so for the benefit of the public at large. True to IIFF's motto, "democratizing film financing," our Townhall Meetings bring together a wide array of professionals from relevant backgrounds in film, finance and beyond for a vibrant evening of insightful presentations and speeches, inspiring discussion and focused networking. Past meetings (e.g.: August | July | June | May | April | March) have reliably delivered useful insights into the business of film, provided valuable networking opportunities, and managed to draw large and enthusiastic crowds.
Who should attend? Entrepreneurs, technologists, attorneys, bankers, venture capitalists and other non-film professionals are cordially invited to learn more about independent film. Are you considering taking an active role in film or would you like to expand your current involvement? Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the like-minded... Established and aspiring filmmakers are, naturally, more than welcome to join us as well!
The evening's five presentations & panel discussion will address key issues relevant to filmmakers, financiers, and anyone interested in the economics, business mechanics, and financial dynamics of film. They will be followed by Q&A time. Attendees will also have ample opportunity to interact & network with our distinguished presenters and panelists and amongst themselves.
An informal apres-meeting celebration will take place at an area restaurant.
The event will again be expertly moderated by Scott Kirsner (bio | blog) who writes about innovation in publications like the New York Times, Wired, Fast Company, the Boston Globe, Salon.com, and Newsweek. Besides that and organizing conferences on entrepreneurship & innovation, Scott is also working on an "exceptionally fun" book about new technologies that have changed (and continue to change) Hollywood.
Stanford University
Graduate School of Business (GSB)
518 Memorial Way, 1st floor
(off Galvez St between Serra Mall & Campus Dr E)
Room S170
Stanford, CA 94305
Maps: See Google's map and the Stanford campus map.
Driving directions & parking: See the GSB website or the more detailed directions provided here. Free parking is available at the Oval. (There are metered parking spots on the Oval but parking is not enforced after 5:00 pm or on weekends, with the exception of spaces marked handicapped.)
Public transportation: If you plan on arriving by Caltrain, get off at Palo Alto (University Ave) station and take the free Marguerite Shuttle, Line B Clockwise, to the business school.
Our Host:
This month's meeting is graciously hosted by Stanford University's Graduate School of Business (GSB).
Stanford GSB is one of the world's leading business schools. It was ranked the #2 in the U.S. News and World Report ranking of 2006, #4 in BusinessWeek, and #15 by The Wall Street Journal. In its biennial report "Beyond Grey Pinstripes", the World Resources Institut, and the Aspen Institute identified Stanford GSB as the leader among business schools that are incorporating academic content involving ethics, corporate social responsibility, and environmental sustainability into their curriculums and activities. Stanford GSB has historically been the most selective business school in the country.
Very special thanks go to Stanford GSB's Arts, Media & Entertainment (AME) club, the AME leadership team and, in particular, Daniel Davila (bio), AME's VP of Film, for their help and advocacy. The student-run AME club strives to increase awareness for the arts, media and entertainment arenas through education and professional opportunities, network-building with alumni and industry representatives, and showcasing the creative talent and artistic diversity within the GSB community.
6:00-6:30 pm ... Registration and introductions
6:30-7:30 pm ... Three featured presentations with Q&A (3x 20 min)
7:30-8:00 pm ... Networking break (30 min)
8:00-8:30 pm ... Two featured presentations with Q&A (2x 15 min)
8:30-9:00 pm ... Moderated panel discussion with Q&A (30 min)
9:00-10:00 pm ... Community time at area restaurant
1) Confessions of an Angel: Why & How I Invest in Film
by Carl A. Wescott (bio), Angel investor; Co-founder & Director at Sycamore 1031 Exchange Brokers; Co-founder, CTO & VP of Engineering at GoingOn Networks; etc.
Carl Wescott is a successful real-estate investor, broker & developer in four countries. An experienced angel investor and active member of several angel groups, Carl also invests in technology & hospitality ventures as well as film. He has a distinguished track record of 15+ years as a technology executive and serial entrepreneur. Carl currently serves as Co-founder, CTO & VP of Engineering of Tony Perkins' new venture GoingOn Networks and was President of Marc Canter's start-up Broadband Mechanics. Prior to that, he worked as CTO and/or VP of Engineering at multiple software companies including CPlane, CriticalArc Technologies and Tritonic. He has been featured on the cover of INTERNET WEEK for his role in building Charles Schwab's online trading systems, and on a CNN/FORTUNE TV program on the Silicon Valley consulting industry. Carl holds a B.S. in Symbolic Systems from Stanford and an M.S. in Computer Sciences from UC Santa Cruz where he also completed his Ph.D. class work.
2) Building Sustainable Regional Film Economies: The Key Role of Home-Grown Film Financing
by Joe O'Kane, Founder & Commissioner Emeritus at the San Jose Film & Video Commission
Joe O'Kane can best be described as an uncommonly successful and prolific public-sector entrepreneur with a lifelong dedication to the film industry. He is an icon of the Bay Area film scene, and beyond. He established the San Jose Film & Video Commission, arranged funding by the City of San Jose, and served as San Jose's Film Commissioner for 24 years. As film commissioner, he produced for 19 years the annual JOEY AWARDS media competition for the Professional Media Network of Greater San Jose and the San Jose Film & Video Commission, and created numerous other initiatives promoting the talents, skills and abilities of the local area media market. Joe also founded the non-profit Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI), launched & produced AFCI's L.A.-based annual trade show (currently operational for 20 years) and conceived & published LOCATIONS MAGAZINE for the promotion of film commissions worldwide.
3) Indie Financing Success in the Real World: How to Get Your Movie Made
by Dr. Sanford Rosenberg (bio), Founder & President at Media Research Associates; Founding Partner & Exec. Producer at Front Street Productions
Sanford Rosenberg, Ph.D., is a licensed psychotherapist, educator, researcher, consultant and producer with 25 years of experience working with film, video, TV and emerging technologies. His consulting firm, Media Research Associates, specializes in qualitative knowledge-based research, examining the relationship between story, structure, symbol, image, emotion and the user experience in all media. Sandy is also a Founding Partner & Exec. Producer at Front Street Productions, a Vancouver & L.A.-based independent film company that has completed 9 features since 1999. Recent productions include: "The Deal", starring Christian Slater, Selma Blair, Robert Loggia and Angie Harmon, which premiered at the 2004 AFI Fest, and "We Don't Live Here Anymore", starring Naomi Watts, Mark Ruffalo, Laura Dern and Peter Krause, which premiered, won an award and sold at Sundance 2004, and was subsequently released by Warner Independent. Front Street also produces a steady stream of films in a production services capacity with Lifetime Television and Porchlight Entertainment. Sandy received his M.A. from the New School for Social Research in N.Y.C., and earned his Ph.D. in clinical/social psychology at Saybrook Institute in S.F.
4) Filmmaking as Social Enterprise: How the Asia Foundation Finances, Produces & Promotes Film to Further Its Causes
by John Karr, Director of Digital Media at The Asia Foundation
John Karr is Director of Digital Media for The Asia Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization that promotes governance and legal reform, economic development, women’s empowerment, and improved international relations in Asia. With over a decade of development assistance experience, John is presently responsible for leveraging new media’s potential as a programming and communications tool. John has developed and implemented projects in many countries in Asia, including Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, and North Korea. Recently, John served as a key project advisor and Executive Producer for "Afghanistan Unveiled" –- a 2005 Emmy-nominated documentary focusing on Afghan women.
5) Securities in Film Financing: Choosing Between the Rocks and the Hard Spots Under Securities Laws
by Alan J. Haus (bio), Partner at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith
Alan Haus is an intellectual property law partner in the San Francisco office of the law firm of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith. He has worked in motion pictures, video games and other entertainment for more than 15 years, primarily representing production companies and investors. His work in motion pictures includes the entire range of such projects, from literary rights acquisitions, through finance, production legal issues and distribution. His undergraduate degree is from Wesleyan University, and his law degree is from Hastings College of the Law, where he was a member of the Hastings Law Journal. He also has an M.B.A. degree from UC Berkeley.
Online registration is available at http://iiff-townhall-sv.mollyguard.com (top of this page)
Early bird registration NLT April 19th:
IIFF Member ... $20 if registered online no later than April 19th
Non-member ... $30
Regular registration NLT April 25th:
IIFF Member ... $30 if registered online no later than April 25th
Non-member ... $40
On-site registration:
IIFF Member ... $40
Non-member ... $50
NOTE: Non-member portion of attendance fee can be credited towards IIFF annual membership fee.
To learn more about membership with IIFF, email us at membership@filmfinancing.org, or approach an IIFF team member at or after the event.
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The Buzz: The following is a sampling of what others are saying about IIFF meetings... "Wow. Last night was great! I want to thank you again for the inspiring work you do. This is such a big need [...] and you're truly doing the work of angels (literally and figuratively)." -- Brant Smith, Producer, Quality of Life "I really must say that I found all speakers very interesting, and I was hanging on their every word. IIFF, the mission and content, seems to be a good fit for me, because it is my dream to run a medium size production house. [...] Thank you, BIG THANK YOU [...], for inviting me to this very quality and important event." -- John Henry, Owner, John Henry Filmworks "Let me again say I think you did a great job putting yesterday's event together -- great crowd, smart presentation, lots of enthusiasm." -- David Rosen, Convener/Executive Producer, Digital Independence Would you like to speak out? Send your comments to team@filmfinancing.org. |
Please direct all your questions and inquiries regarding this event to team@filmfinancing.org.
Having trouble with Mollyguard or PayPal? Please use our alternative payment option or, if that fails, notify us by email well in advance and register on-site.
Link to this page:
http://iiff-townhall-sv.mollyguard.com
Keep in touch:
Join our discussion mailing list at http://forum.filmfinancing.org
The Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) is an innovative, independent social-impact organization that endeavors to bridge the gap between the worlds of filmmaking and finance for the benefit of all stakeholders – including the public at large.
IIFF was founded by Thomas Trenker in 2003 and incorporated in California as a not-for-profit, public benefit corporation. Headquartered in San Francisco, IIFF currently has chapters in the SF Bay Area, New York City, New England, Florida, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, London, and the Pacific Northwest.
Help us expand further, or join our online community at http://forum.filmfinancing.org to keep in touch with a growing number of filmmakers and financiers!
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