The 19th Annual Film & Television Trade Forum
Set To Inspire New Filmmakers With Success Story in Open Water

Vancouver, BC - New and established filmmakers will be interested in the story of Chris Kentis, whose success with low budget feature Open Water is a highlight of this year's New Filmmakers' Day, September 25. New Filmmakers' Day, aimed at emerging filmmaking talent, follows three days of Trade Forum panels at UBC Robson Square, September 22 to 24, with the latest information on the art and business of filmmaking for industry professionals.

"The success of Open Water is an inspiring story for independent filmmakers, especially in today's challenging marketplace," says Melanie Friesen, Trade Forum Producer. "This kind of success gives legs to the practical advice and information that our panellists generously share in Trade Forum sessions."

Director Chris Kentis headlines New Filmmakers' Day session Success Stories to talk about Open Water, a fact-based story of divers stranded in shark infested waters that was made for an estimated $130,000 and has grossed millions at the box office. Kentis, joined by Canadian filmmaker Michael Dowse (Fubar, It's All Gone Pete Tong), discuss making their films and launching them in the marketplace. The session rounds out a full New Filmmakers' Day program of instructive sessions on making and financing first features, including The Shot List - A Director's Blueprint, The Business of the Low-Budget Feature and Writing for Low-Budget Features.

Artistic inspiration is prominently featured in Trade Forum sessions again this year. Creating The Mood showcases the talents of Oscar nominees, Production Designer Jan Roelfs (Alexander) and Director of Photography Ed Lachman (Far From Heaven), who have worked with such directors as Oliver Stone, Joel Schumacher, Todd Haynes and Peter Greenaway. Together, they share their tricks and discuss the synergy that contributes to the look of a film. Creating the mood in another way, exceptional composers Benoît Charest (The Triplets of Belleville) and Craig Wedren (School of Rock) speak on the fine art of scoring a film in On The Right Track.

The Trade Forum highlights current trends in film and television, among them The DVD Boom. The DVD market now generates more revenue than the theatrical market, which has significantly altered traditional wisdom in marketing feature films. This must-see session for producers explores the implications of the trend and reveals ways that filmmakers can capitalize on this shift in the marketplace.

Similarly, Unabashedly Canadian - Low- Budget Episodic Television explores a shift in the market for television due to broadcasters' and cable networks' need for more programming at reduced cost. The new direction includes low budget episodic television, giving a new lease on life to writing and producing. A panel of industry pros shares their respective approaches to this challenge.

The all-important business of financing, marketing and distribution of film and television, in both a national and international context, is featured in a range of Trade Forum panels, master classes and international networking in tête-à-tête meetings.

The 19th Annual Film and Television Trade Forum takes place in the Rogers Industry Centre located at UBC at Robson Square, 800 Robson Street, September 22-24, with New Filmmakers' Day on September 25.