Contact Institute for Int'l Film Financing (IIFF) for event and ticket information.
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.
Merchants Exchange Building
465 California Street at Montgomery, 8th floor
Haydn Williams Conference Room at The Asia Foundation
San Francisco, CA 94104
Parking & walking directions: See this map.
Our Host:
This month's Townhall Meeting is graciously hosted by The Asia Foundation, a leading non-profit, non-governmental organization headquartered in San Francisco that promotes governance and legal reform, economic development, women's empowerment, and improved international relations in Asia.
Very special thanks go to John Karr, The Asia Foundation's Director of Digital Media, for his help and advocacy. With over a decade of development assistance experience, John is 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.
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 Michael J. Richter, Associate General Counsel at eBay; Private film investor
Michael Richter is a seasoned attorney, technology executive and angel investor in film with over 15 years of experience in the entertainment and media industry. After attending the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Michael launched a successful career as an entertainment and media attorney. Mentored by two of the preeminent entertainment and media lawyers in New York (Peter Herbert and Richard Winfield), Michael developed a client roster that included Sony Pictures, Carsey Werner, Stephen King, Cinerenta, the Associated Press, Reuters, Univision, ABC, and Apple Records. In early 2000, Michael joined eBay. He is currently the head of eBay's litigation department.
2) Rights Acquisition Scenarios: What Works Best for Indies
by Daniel Riviera, Attorney at Riviera & Associates
Daniel Riviera is an entertainment and intellectual property attorney with extensive experience in film, television, music, publishing, trademarks and copyright. He practiced in Los Angeles for many years before moving to the Bay Area. He has represented clients involved in all aspects of the development, production, financing and distribution of motion pictures, television and music. He represents both individual artists and companies. Past clients include Carolco Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Spelling Entertainment, The Groundlings, Keiko Matsui and Gilda Radner. Since moving to San Francisco, independent film, music, videogames and book authors and publishing have occupied a greater proportion of his practice. Current clients include Academy Award-nominated filmmakers, film companies producing narrative work with a social or political edge, award-winning singer-songwriters and prominent authors. His practice also involves intellectual property (trademarks and copyright), the Internet and new media, and corporate work, including entity formation and financing, non-profit corporations, employment law and the license and sale of assets. Daniel is a graduate of Harvard College and the Georgetown University Law Center.
3) Economics of Television: How TV Shows Make Money
by Paul Sigmund, CFO at Q Media Partners
Paul Sigmund is the Chief Financial Officer of Q Media Partners, the first Bay Area based television development company to create "intelligent and entertaining" programming for national broadcasters, including commercial broadcast networks, cable and public television. Q Media's mission is to establish the Bay Area as a leading center for entertainment, information and opinion, as well as a voice of political, cultural and social evolution. Prior to joining Q Media, Paul was an Executive Vice President at RCN Corporation, where he ran the Western and the International divisions of that company. Before RCN, Paul was a Vice President in Corporate Finance at Smith Barney and an associate in international securities law at Skadden, Arps. Paul received his AB from Stanford University and his JD from the University of Michigan.
4) Tapping Angel Investors in Silicon Valley: What Filmmakers & Financiers Need to Know
by Colin Wiel, Professional angel investor; President at the San Francisco Chapter of the Keiretsu Forum
Colin Wiel is the President of the San Francisco Chapter of the Keiretsu Forum. The Keiretsu Forum is the largest North American angel investment network with 350 accredited private equity investors, venture capitalists and corporate/institutional investors. It is a network of capital, resources and deal flow with multiple chapters in the United States and Canada. Colin is an active Angel investor, having made Angel investments in more than ten companies in the past five years. He often remains actively involved in the companies in which he invests, and he currently serves on the advisory boards of four companies. Colin is also an Entrepreneur, having started a 35-person software engineering firm which he ran from its inception in 1998 through to its acquisition in 2001. He holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from U.C. Berkeley. Colin has founded several community organizations including special interest groups of the Software Development Forum and the IEEE.
5) Hollywood Profits REDUX: Drivers of Motion Picture Profitability
by Thomas Trenker, Founder & Chairman at Institute for International Film Financing (bio)
In his quantitative presentation, Tom revisits and summarizes the conclusions of his series on statistical factors that, alone or combined, predispose movies for profitability. Digging deep into his data, Tom makes the case that small, indie-type film is superior not just on its widely accepted creative merits, including originality, but --perhaps surprisingly-- also on its commercial merits as measured by profitability. As the economics of filmmaking have evolved past Hollywood's traditional "rules of thumb", a new savvy generation of film entrepreneurs and their financiers is well positioned to succeed through innovation.
Online registration is available at http://iiff-townhall-sf.mollyguard.com (top of this page)
Early bird registration NLT May 5th:
IIFF Member ... $20 if registered online no later than May 5th
Non-member ... $30
Regular registration NLT May 15th:
IIFF Member ... $30 if registered online no later than May 15th
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-sf.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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