AFM Conferences and Seminars provide a forum where attendees can interact with and learn from prominent filmmakers, financiers, industry executives and talent. Below is the 2008 Conference and Seminar schedule.

Register online for Conferences and Seminars or download the registration form.  Check back for updates on panelists and topics.

Missed the 2007 Seminar Series? Click here to see last year's schedule and view video of selected panels.

Friday, 7 November, 2008

9:00am - 12:30pm

AFM Finance Conference

The yearly AFM Finance Conference brings together CEOs, financiers, and filmmakers in two back-to-back sessions where you will learn about the future of independent film financing. These high-powered panels discuss emerging trends and financing options.

Fist Session: Current Trends in Film Financing

Moderator:
P. John Burke, Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Panelists:
Mark Gill, Chief Executive Officer, The Film Department
David Molner, Managing Director, Screen Capital International
Lee Solomon, Chief Operating Officer, The Weinstein Company

Second Session: Film Financing during a Credit Crisis

Moderator:
Benson R. Berro, Managing Director, KPMG LLP

Panelists:
Joseph D. Chianese, VP Business Development and Tax Incentives, Entertainment Partners

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Location: Fairmont Miramar Hotel
Cost: $95 per person. Includes continental breakfast.

4:00pm - 5:30pm

Hong Kong: Asia's Co-Production Centre and Gateway to the China Market
Programmed by: Hong Kong Trade Development Council

A panel of veterans will not just share their views on how Hong Kong plays an effective role in the successful co-production models but also identify opportunities in the most lucrative and promising region in the world, that is Asia, and particularly China.

Moderator:
Patrick Frater, Asia Editor, Variety

Panelists:
Douglas Glen, Executive Director and CEO, Imagi International Holdings Limited
Buddy Marini, Managing Director, Avex Asia

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

Saturday, 8 November, 2008

9:00am - 12:30pm

Pitch Me!
Programmed by: Independent Film & Television Alliance

Whether you have a meeting with a studio head or you bump into an actor in an elevator, you need to be able to pitch your film well. Learn the art of the pitch in this intensive session where a dozen filmmakers pitch their project to a panel of industry experts - agents, producers, and production execs - who will give their unvarnished feedback on each pitch, saying what worked, what didn't, and why. Space is limited - advance registration is recommended.

Moderator:
Peggy Rajski, Executive Producer, Bee Season; Producer, Home for the Holidays, Little Man Tate; Director, ER (TV Series)

Panelists:
Caroline Baron, Producer, Capote, Centre Stage; Associate Producer, The Wonder Years
Shelby Stone, SVP Development and Production, Foxx/King Entertainment; Producer, Life Support; Executive Producer, Lackawanna Blues; Executive Producer, Lumumba

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $50 per person

2:00pm - 5:30pm

Location Expo
Programmed by: Independent Film & Television Alliance

Discover the benefits of working in both familiar and untapped markets during one-on-one interviews with film commissioners from around the world. Discussions will highlight financial incentives, production facilities and services, how to navigate through and capitalize on benefits, and examples of recent productions within each territory. Countries and states will include Bahamas, Canada, Dubai, Fiji, Louisiana, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Quebec, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago and West Virginia.

2:00pm - 3:45pm Panel 1 - North America

Moderator:
Alissa Miller, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Panelists:
Cristina Caraballo, Deputy Film Commissioner, Puerto Rico Film Commission
Hans Fraikin, Quebec Film and Television Commissioner, Quebec Film & TV Council
Jamie Cope, Locations Service Manager, West Virginia Film Office
Susanne Bell, Representative, Canadian Agencies and Commissions
Mike McHugh, IATSE Local 478, Louisiana
Bill Hess, Chief of Development, Mayor's Office of Economic Development City of Alexandria, Louisiana
Hugo Villa, Mexico Film Commission Director, Mexico Film Commission

4:00pm - 5:45pm Panel 2 - National Perspectives

Moderator:
Edward Repking, Partner, KPMG LLP for North American States

Panelists:
Carlene Tan, Business Development & Media Services Manager, MDA Singapore
George David, Deputy General Manager, Royal Film Commission - Jordan
Jamal Al Sharif, Executive Director, Dubai Studio City
Dan Bolea, CEO, Fiji Audio Visual Commission
Craig Woods, Bahamas Film and TV Commissioner
Carla Foderingham, CEO, Trinidad and Tobago Film Company
To be confirmed, Turkey

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

Sunday, 9 November, 2008

11:00am - 12:30pm

The Indie Glut: Distribution at the Crossroads
Programmed by: British Academy of Film & Television Arts, Los Angeles

With the image quality of "pro-sumer" cameras like the Red and Sony EX3, the editing power of Final Cut, and "experimental" contracts with the guilds, the cost barriers to "real" film-making are tumbling down. The downside is that most of these privately financed movies will never be seen outside of a small circle of friends. Of the 5,000 plus indie features submitted to Sundance last year, only 100 were chosen. Fewer than six received any significant theatrical distribution. More movies, fewer distributors. The U.S. marketplace may be permanently glutted. What's the answer for indie filmmakers? How can you help your film beat the odds? Get the view from the trenches in session with top executives and experts on acquisition, marketing and distribution.

Moderator:
John Alan Simon, Writer-Director, Radio Free Albemuth (based on the novel by Philip K. Dick); Producer, The Getaway; former staff writer New Orleans Times Picayune

Panelists:
Jason Constantine, President, Acquisitions and Co-productions, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group
Howard Cohen, Co-President, Roadside Attractions
Randall Miller, Producer/Director, Bottle Shock
Ted Mundorff, Chief Executive Officer, Landmark Theatres Corporation
Dan Steinman, Film Finance Agent, Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

2:00pm - 3:30pm

Production Incentives: The Reel World
Programmed by: Entertainment Partners

In this current economic climate, are Production Incentives unlimited or will they run out? What type of Production Incentives are currently available and is monetizing Production Incentives still an option? What types of production costs are covered and what types of production costs are not? How do you sell or transfer tax credits, and what's left after fees and commissions? How long does it take to get your money?

Come learn the answers to these questions and more, This program will be presented in a case-study format and will include practical tips, pitfalls and traps for the unwary.

Moderator:
Joseph Chianese, Vice President Business Development & Tax Incentives, Entertainment Partners
Barbara Rosenfeld, Consultant, Entertainment Partners

Panelists:
William A. Earon, Managing Director, Coastal Capital Advisors, LLC
Mary Ann Hughes, Vice President of Film and Television Production Planning, Walt Disney Pictures and Television
Cleve Landsberg, Producer and Unit Production Manager
Antonio J. Sifre Sein, Attorney,Toro, Colon, Mullet, Rivera & Sifre, P.S.C., Puerto Rico
Bill Thompson, Deputy Commissioner, Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office
Jennie Yamaki, Director of Physical Production, Mandate Pictures
David Scott Rubin, Executive Producer and Senior Vice President of Production, Lakeshore Entertainment
Richard Middleton, Line Producer and Unit Production Manager

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

4:00pm - 5:30pm

DIY: Lessons Producers Can Learn from Those Who've Successfully Done it Themselves
Programmed by: Dreamscape Studios

A new breed of producers and distributors are getting their movies out into the market in non-traditional and profitable ways. Learn what they've learned and how you can do it too.

Moderator:
Stacey Parks, Film Distribution Consultant; Author, The Insider's Guide to Independent Film Distribution; Adjunct Professor, UCLA Entertainment Studies Department

Panelists:
Adam Chapnick, President, Docworkers; Co-Founder, Cinema Libre Distribution
Marc Rosenbush, Internet Marketing Consultant; Creator, Internet Marketing for Filmmakers Course; Writer-Director, Zen Noir
Marianne Wilson, Producer, The Moses Code; President, Global Event Source

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

Monday, 10 November, 2008

11:00am - 12:30pm

Web Entrepreneurs: Imagination Meets Commerce
Programmed by: Writers Guild of America, West

Join writer/producers who are producing and distributing their own content online. What are the risks and rewards? What are the best business models? Does it make sense to work with media conglomerates or independently?

Moderator:
Tom Smuts Writer, Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage; Co-Executive Producer, The Tower (CBS pilot)

Panelist:
Rick Eid, Writer, The Street; Supervising Producer, The Guardian; Co-Executive Producer, Law & Order; Co-Creator/Executive Producer, Conviction; Executive Producer, The Ex-List
Ken LaZebnik, Writer, Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage; Co-Writer, A Prairie Home Companion; Co-Founder, Strike TV (Strike.tv); Writer, Touched By An Angel, Providence, Star Trek: Enterprise
Brent V. Friedman, Online Creator/Executive Producer, Gemini Division and Afterworld; Videogame Writer, Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars; Consulting Producer, Star Trek: Enterprise; Co-Executive Producer, Twilight Zone
Mary Feuer, Series Creator/Director/Producer, With the Angels; Supervising Producer/Head Writer, Lonelygirl15; Story Editor, Buried Alive

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

2:00pm - 3:30pm

Through Rose (and Aqua) Colored Glasses: The Future of 3D
Programmed by: Directors Guild of America

A discussion of stereoscopic content from process to market and beyond.

Moderator:
Eric Brevig, Director, Journey to the Center of the Earth

Panelists:
Steve Schklair, Chief Executive Officer, 3ality Digital Systems
Charlotte Huggins, Producer, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Fly Me To The Moon
Josh Greer, President, Co-Founder, RealD
Tim Sassoon, President and Creative Director, Sassoon Film Design
Mimi Maynard, Producer, Casting Director, Voice Director, Fly Me To The Moon

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

4:00pm - 5:30pm

International Film Financing in a Weak Dollar Market
Programmed by: International Committee of the Producers Guild of America

Budgets are swelling but funding sources are shrinking as Producers continue to look for creative ideas to fund their projects overseas while fighting a weak US dollar. Join a panel of seasoned producers, sales agents, and attorneys as they discuss strategies to fund and shoot their projects overseas.

Moderator:
Steve Monas, Attorney, Business Affairs Inc.

Panelists:
Simon Horsman, Financier, Future Films
Avram "Butch" Kaplan, Executive Producer/Line Producer
Effie T. Brown, Producer, Duly Noted, Inc.
Amotz Zakai VP, Echo Lake Entertainment, LLC

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

Tuesday, 11 November, 2008

11:00am - 12:30pm

Getting Your Film Seen
Programmed by: Film Independent

Don't be on the outside looking in. Your film can be seen by a wide audience without any involvement of the big studios. Indie filmmakers have found a lot of new ways to get their films out there without tapping into the traditional distribution methods. Come hear the latest innovations in the wonderful world of monetizing your film. The landscape may be changing, but filmmakers who know how to navigate the terrain can enjoy a large measure of success on their own.

Moderator:
Michael C. Donaldson, Attorney, Donaldson & Callif

Panelists:
Peter Broderick, President, Paradigm Consulting
Jim Browne, Founder, Argot Pictures
Jody Savin, Writer/Producer, Bottle Shock
John Sloss, Founder/Partner, Cinetic Media

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

2:00pm - 3:30pm

Globalization: Exploring the Emergence of Independent Global Cinema
Programmed by: Women in Film/L.A. International Committee

It's not just "us and them" anymore. The effects of Globalization in Independent Cinema have become more relevant in the last few years. Integration of cultures and languages in one story as seen in Babel, Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Bands Visit, and Under the Same Moon has created opportunities and challenges for filmmakers to tell stories shaped by the realities of a growing global community. The Panel will examine how independent filmmakers are creating and distributing stories without borders and connecting international audiences to each other.

Moderator:
Deborah DePrete, CEO/Partner Odd Lot Entertainment

Panelists:
Ehud Bleiberg, CEO Bleiberg Entertainment; Producer, The Bands Visit, Kirot

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

4:00pm - 5:30pm

New Technologies and Low Budget Films
Programmed by: American Society of Cinematographers

Moderator:
George Spiro Dibie, Chair, ASC Education and Outreach Committee

Panelists:
Daryn Okada, ASC, Baby Mama, Just Like Heaven, Mean Girls
Michael Goi, ASC, My Name Is Earl, Witness Protection
Richard Crudo, ASC, Brooklyn Rules, American Pie
Richard Kline, ASC, Double Impact, Death Wish II
Ron Garcia, ASC, Numb3rs, Gilmore Girls
Daniel Pearl, ASC, Friday The 13th, Pathfinder
Izzy Mankofsky, ASC, Too Loud a Solitude, 4 Faces
Stephen Lighthill, ASC, Ruby's Tuesday, She Spies
Steven Fierberg, ASC, Football Wives, Entourage
Rodney Taylor, ASC, The Wrecking Crew, Home of The Giants
Dante Spinotti, ASC, X-Men: The Last Stand, L.A. Confidential

Location: Le Merigot Hotel
Cost: $35 per person

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