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IIFF South Bay Townhall Meeting (May 2007)Wednesday, May 9, 2007 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PT)Mountain View, CA |
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Event Details
IIFF South Bay Townhall Meeting –
Where Film & Finance Meet To Succeed Together
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IIFF is coming back to the South Bay!
The Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) continues its successful series of Townhall Meetings in the Bay Area with a special event at the headquarters of prestigious Silicon Valley law firm Fenwick & West in Mountain View.
This "grassroots" community meeting is designed to foster productive relationships between filmmakers, entrepreneurs and financiers and to provide unbiased insight and education about the business of film. The event 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 one-of-a-kind 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 proven motto, "democratizing film financing," our regular, monthly 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.: April '07 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan & April '07 Bay Area Townhall in San Francisco, CA | March '07 New England Townhall in Stowe, VT, March '07 Bay Area Townhall in San Rafael, CA & March '07 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan | February '07 Townhall West in San Francisco, CA & February '07 Townhall East in New York City | January '07 Townhall in Santa Cruz, CA | December '06 Townhall East in New York City & December '06 Townhall West in San Francisco, CA | October '06 Townhall in New York City | September '06 Townhall in Oakland, CA | July '06 Townhall in Palo Alto, CA | June '06 Townhall in San José, CA | May '06 Townhall in San Francisco, CA | April '06 Townhall at Stanford business school) 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, investment managers, 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 plus 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 après-meeting celebration will take place at an area restaurant.
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Featured Moderator:
*** TO BE ANNOUNCED ***
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Meeting Venue:
Fenwick & West LLP
Silicon Valley Center
801 California Street (at Castro St.)
Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 988-8500
Map: Get a map of Fenwick & West's headquarters at Ask, Google, MapQuest, MSN, Windows Live, Yahoo or see Fenwick's own map.
Driving directions: Our meeting venue is conveniently located in downtown Mountain View. It can be easily reached from nearby Highway 101. Please find detailed directions to Fenwick & West on our host's website. Personalized driving directions can be obtained from the above-listed online mapping services; simply follow the link of your choice and enter your start address where required.
Closest Caltrain or VTA Light Rail stop (ca. 0.4 miles walking distance): Downtown Mountain View station at Hope St. & W. Evelyn Ave., which is served by both Caltrain and VTA Light Rail (Route 902) trains. A map with walking directions from the station to our venue can be found here.
Our Host:
This month's Townhall Meeting is graciously hosted by Fenwick & West, a leading full-service law firm headquartered in Mountain View, CA, that serves companies from inception throughout the life of the corporation. While providing a full range of legal services, Fenwick puts a special emphasis on the legal and business issues facing technology companies and start-ups. Established in the heart of Silicon Valley in 1972, the firm's history is inextricably entwined with the growth of technology in Silicon Valley: Fenwick incorporated Apple Computer in 1976 and took Oracle public in 1986. Since then, the firm has represented leading technology companies and underwriters in numerous high profile IPOs and led many landmark M&A transactions including the largest Internet merger in history (VeriSign's $21B acquisition of Network Solutions) and the largest software merger in history (Symantec's $13B acquisition of VERITAS).
Fenwick & West is Silicon Valley's 2nd largest law firm (San Francisco Business Times), the 2nd most profitable law firm in the Bay Area (San Francisco Daily Journal) and the 15th largest law firm in California (California Law Business). In addition, the Fenwick's practice groups are continually ranked among the top in the U.S., including one of only 7 "first-tier" U.S. law firms in tax in 2007 (International Tax Review), the top law firm in the U.S. for technology sector M&A (MergerMarket), the 4th most active U.S. law firm in helping IT client raise venture capital (Dow Jones), one of the top 5 West Coast firms in both IP litigation and IP protection (Managing Intellectual Property), and one of the top 10 Computer/Software patent law firms in the U.S. (PatentRatings). Vault ranked Fenwick the #3 technology law firm, and among the 100 most prestigious firms in the nation. The firm was recently awarded "Tax Litigation Firm of the Year" for the Americas and "Tax Firm of the Year" for San Francisco (International Tax Review).
Fenwick's areas of practice include copyright, corporate and securities, employment and labor, executive compensation and benefits, intellectual property, M&A, start-ups and venture capital, domestic and international tax, trademark, etc.
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Schedule:
6:00-6:30 pm ... Registration and introductions
6:30-7:45 pm ... Three featured presentations with Q&A (3x 25 min)
7:45-8:00 pm ... Networking break I (15 min)
8:00-8:50 pm ... Two featured presentations with Q&A (2x 25 min)
8:50-9:00 pm ... Networking break II (10 min)
9:00-10:00 pm ... Moderated panel discussion with Q&A (60 min)
10:00+ pm ... Community time at area restaurant
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Program Details:
1) Insights From an Angel: My Experience as Early-Stage Private Equity Investor & Mentor to Startup Companies
— by John Ricci, Founder & President at U.S. Angel Investors; Founder & President at Bay Area Startup Network; Advisor at startups Zortal, HTC, EverClear & Danforth; President at consultancy Bay Resources; fmr. VP of Business Development at PureSense; fmr. CEO at SupplyMasters Systems; fmr. COO (North America) at Hebdo Mag/Trader Classified Media; fmr. VP of Marketing & Sales at Zenith Data Systems/Bull; fmr. VP of Marketing & Business Development at General Electric Supply (GESCO); fmr. Consultant at Boston Consulting Group
2) New Distribution Models: Creating Profitable Film Ventures Through Innovation in Distribution
— by Halfdan Hussey, Co-founder & Executive Director at Cinequest; Co-founder & Writer/Producer/Director at San Jose Motion Pictures; novelist, screenwriter & filmmaker; Winner of Cinequest's "Life of a Maverick" Award
3) Better Safe Than Sorry: What Investors & Producers Need to Know About Insurance for Film, Entertainment & Media Projects
— by Richard Glaser, Owner & President at Infiniti Pacific Insurance Services
4) Location, Location, Location: Key Financial Considerations in Choosing Bay Area Film Locations
— by Patrick McDonnell, actor & performer in radio, theater, film & TV productions; indie film producer & advocate for regional film financing & exhibition in Bay Area; successful nonprofit fundraiser; Executive Producer at "Second Round II"; Lead Actor in "Second Round", Co-lead in "The Loaner", etc.; Winner of 2002 Dean Goodman Award; Founder of Irish film & TV production company; civil war observer for Amnesty International in former Yugoslavia; Producer of one of Ireland's largest indoor concerts; fmr. Personal Press Officer for Ireland's Minister for Finance
5) The User-Generated Revolution: How the Democratization of Content Is Turning the World of Film & Video Upside Down
— by Tom Foremski, Founder, Editor & Publisher at influential business & culture news blog Silicon Valley Watcher; Founder & CEO at New Rules Media; first mainstream-media journalist turned full-time blogger; fmr. U.S. Technology Correspondent & Columnist at Financial Times; fmr. Editor-in-Chief at high-tech news agency West Coast News; fmr. Senior Reporter at U.K.'s largest weekly trade newspaper Computing
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Speaker Bios:
- John Ricci, Founder & President at Silicon Valley-based investment group of accredited private equity ("angel") investors, U.S. Angel Investors; Founder & President at nonprofit networking group for startups & investors, Bay Area Startup Network; Advisor at various startups including Zortal Enterprises, HTC, EverClear & Danforth; President at management consulting firm Bay Resources; fmr. VP of Business Development at PureSense; fmr. CEO at SupplyMasters Systems; fmr. COO (North America) at Hebdo Mag/Trader Classified Media; fmr. VP of Marketing & Sales at Zenith Data Systems/Bull; fmr. VP of Marketing & Business Development at General Electric Supply (GESCO); fmr. Consultant at Boston Consulting Group
- Halfdan Hussey, Co-founder & Executive Director at Silicon Valley-based leading independent film festival Cinequest; Co-founder & Writer/Producer/Director at indie production company San Jose Motion Pictures; novelist ("To the Dogs", "Whirlwind of Whores"), screenwriter & filmmaker ("He's Still There", "Seizing Me", "Split", etc.); Winner of Cinequest's "Life of a Maverick" Award
- Richard Glaser, Owner & President at independent insurance brokerage Infiniti Pacific Insurance Services (specializing in providing coverage to the film, entertainment & media industries)
- Patrick McDonnell, classically trained actor & prolific performer in radio, theater, film & TV productions (e.g., West End plays, BBC TV, indies); independent film producer & proactive advocate for regional film financing & exhibition in the Bay Area; successful nonprofit fundraiser (e.g., Live Aid); Executive Producer of feature film "Second Round II"; Lead Actor in multiple award-winning short "Second Round", Co-lead in "The Loaner" (produced by Sonoma Valley Film Festival's Brenda Lhormer), etc.; Winner of 2002 Dean Goodman Award for "Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Theatre Production in the Bay Area"; Founder of film & TV production company in Dublin, Ireland, that produced 3 feature films; went to former Yugoslavia as civil war observer for Amnesty International (funded by Irish rock group U2); Producer of one of Ireland's largest indoor concerts (to fund Irish Rape & Crisis Advice Center); trained as classical actor at Samuel Beckett Centre at Trinity College in Dublin & Kings College in London; fmr. Personal Press Officer for Ireland's Minister for Finance Ray MacSharry
- Tom Foremski, Founder, Editor & Publisher at business & culture news blog Silicon Valley Watcher: focuses on investigative reporting & original content (e.g., unearthing identity of YouTube/Internet phenom "lonelygirl15"), ranked among most influential & credible U.S. blogs according to top media-tracking group Bacon's/Cision; Founder & CEO at New Rules Media; seasoned technology journalist & media entrepreneur; first mainstream-media journalist to become full-time blogger; fmr. U.S. Technology Correspondent & Columnist at Financial Times; fmr. Editor-in-Chief at high-tech news agency West Coast News (covering Silicon Valley since 1984); fmr. Senior Reporter at U.K.'s largest weekly trade newspaper Computing; fmr. News Editor at leading micro-electronics newspaper Micro Forecast; fmr. Editor at Biotechnology Today; fmr. Software Engineer at Marconi
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Registration:
Online registration is available at http://iiff-townhall-sb.eventbrite.com (top of this page)
Early bird registration NLT Friday, May 4th:
IIFF Member ... $20 if registered online no later than May 4th
Non-member ... $35
Regular registration NLT Monday, May 7th:
IIFF Member ... $30 if registered online no later than May 7th
Non-member ... $45
Last minute registration NLT Tuesday, May 8th:
IIFF Member ... $40 if registered online no later than May 8th
Non-member ... $55
Same day registration (online) on Wednesday, May 9th:
IIFF Member ... $45 if registered online on May 9th
Non-member ... $60
On-site registration (at the door):
IIFF Member ... $50
Non-member ... $65
To learn more about membership with IIFF, email our Membership Bureau, or approach an IIFF team member at or after the event.
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Questions?
Please direct all your questions and inquiries regarding this event to IIFF's online forum at http://forum.filmfinancing.org.
Having trouble with Eventbrite (this site) or PayPal? Please get help in IIFF's online forum. (You can also notify us by email well in advance of the event, and register on-site.)
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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 "Wow! For such a moderate investment, so much information. So much good networking. I hope you are proud of the magic you've created with IIFF." — Kevin Morrison, Writer/Director/Producer of independent film & TV "I just wanted to say thanks for another great and informative meeting. The speakers were impressive and I made some good contacts." — Jesse Ford, Founder & Executive Director, Group Hug Productions "IIFF and FilmAngels has really impressed me so far with its focus on the independent film community. I've traveled and interacted with film organizations around the world [...]." — Jin Woo Joo, Founder, Cinemasports "Thanks so much for hosting such an interesting program last week. I am always inspired by the creativity, and most recently, by the commitment to 'a better world'. It keeps my cynic's heart at bay! [...] again, my heartfelt thanks for your mission and execution. Well done!" — Teri Cundall, Founder & President, Propville.com "The event was great, very helpful." — Marc Perez, Co-President & Founding Partner, Sirk Productions "[...] I greatly enjoyed attending last night's event and found it very informative - certainly something that's been missing in New York so far." — Michael Gunther, Director/Producer, Triboro Pictures "Great presentation tonight. Lots of energetic discussions and questions." — Campbell Dalglish, Prof. of Screenwriting, MFA in Film & Video at CUNY "Thanks so much for tonight's event. It was really inspiring and incredibly informative." — Elizabeth Foley, Founding Faculty Member, Producing Dep't at NYFA "I enjoyed this evening's townhall presentation and found it very informative." — William Doll, Writer/Director, World Stage Pictures "Your Town Hall mtg was stimulating. You managed to attract the right target audience, and I loved your choice of speakers." — Sandra Schulberg, Founder, Independent Feature Project (IFP) "I attended the New York Town Hall Meeting and just wanted to thank you for setting up such an informative colloquium. It was my first IIFF event and I look forward to attending more in the future." — Blythe Frank, Producer, "Kettle of Fish" (Michael Mailer Films) "Thank you again for a wonderful event last night." — Morgan Pehme, Co-founder & CEO, Merlion Entertainment "I'm just writing [...] pertaining to the IIFF meeting last night, which I found both entertaining and informative and also promising of great things to come from IIFF in the near future!" — Thomas Woodrow, Producer, Furnace Films "I attended the IIFF town hall last week in New York and came away impressed. Thank you for putting together such an excellent panel of speakers. I found [Mr. Trenker's] presentation especially useful. As a former quant at Putnam Investments, I tend to dig into the numbers and [Mr. Trenker's] analysis was illuminating." — Robert Milacci, Founder & Executive Producer, Sinestra Pictures "I very much enjoyed the seminar last Saturday in Stowe, VT. It was a lot of driving in one day (3.25 hrs. each way...), but worth it. [...] Thanks again for a very enlightening day." — Marjorie Short, Oscar-nominated Writer/Producer/Director, Short Productions Would you like to speak out? We want to hear from you! Send us your comments by email. |
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Link to us:
Please support IIFF's nonprofit mission by spreading the word!
- IIFF/SB Townhall on 5/9 ... http://events.filmfinancing.org/sfb/?id=050907
- Latest IIFF Townhall in the South Bay ... http://iiff-townhall-sb.eventbrite.com
- Latest IIFF event in SF Bay Area ... http://events.filmfinancing.org/sfb/?id=latest
- Latest IIFF event in New England ... http://events.filmfinancing.org/ne6/?id=latest
- Latest IIFF event in New York ... http://events.filmfinancing.org/nym/?id=latest
- Latest IIFF event anywhere ... http://events.filmfinancing.org/?id=latest
- IIFF homepage: "Connecting Film & Finance" ... http://www.filmfinancing.org
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Copyright © 2007 Institute for Int'l Film Financing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
When & Where
Fenwick & West LLP
801 California Street
Mountain View,
CA 94041
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (PT)
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Hosted By
IIFF San Francisco Bay Area
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.
Founded by Thomas Trenker in 2003 and headquartered in San Francisco, IIFF has chapters in the Bay Area, New York City, New England, Florida, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, London, the Pacific Northwest, the Lower Midwest, the Southwest and the Great Lakes Region.
Help launch or run an IIFF chapter in your area! We make it easy and worthwhile. Email the chapter development team and tell us about yourself. Or join our online community at http://forum.filmfinancing.org to keep in touch with a growing number of filmmakers and financiers.