Abstract:

Over the past few years, the landscape of film financing has undergone considerable changes — and continues to be in flux. The ongoing democratization of the means of film production has triggered an avalanche of competition in independent film, making it more difficult for even the most talented filmmakers to stand out from the crowd. On the other hand, the business of film is attracting a wider and more diverse range of financing sources than ever.

In this environment, many of the old rules no longer apply. While content remains king, it is more critical than ever that filmmakers take a systematic and business savvy approach to getting their films made — be it narratives or documentaries, features or shorts, or experimental work. To thrive on the challenges ahead, filmmakers are well advised to transform themselves from creative masterminds and technical mavens into holistic film entrepreneurs who navigate business and financial waters as competently and confidently as creative and technical ones. After all, the complex and wonderful process of filmmaking starts and ends with the money, for better or worse.

Similarly, film investors are urged to take a close look not only at (notoriously hard to evaluate) screenplays, talent attachments, and production budgets but especially also at business strategies designed to ensure financing, distribution, and marketing success.

For filmmakers and financiers alike, there is no better place to start than the film business plan — a film entrepreneur’s roadmap for success, and the single most important document any film investor needs to see and understand.

As filmmaker or financier, or if you are simply curious about film financing, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you know how to create a sound & solid investment case for any film project?
• Can you tell winning business strategies in film from those likely to fail?
• Do you know how to identify & describe target audiences & estimate market size?
• Are you familiar with the range of film buyers?
• Can you exhaustively list, evaluate & discuss relevant revenue sources?
• Have you ever walked through all of the income streams for a film?
• Are you clear on the tradeoffs between self-distribution and using a distributor?
• Have you comprehensively explored the marketing options for a film?

The Board of Directors of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) invites you to get answers to these and other questions at a hands-on workshop with distinguished film business advisor Jeffrey Hardy. Our instructor’s insights are not simply based on anecdotal evidence or varying personal experience, but on the thorough and comprehensive analysis of an accomplished industry expert.

Instructor:

Jeffrey Hardy is President of Big Horse Films, a San Francisco-based business planning firm, and a respected author on film related topics. Big Horse has been providing consulting services to producers, distributors and financiers (including banks and film funds) for seventeen years. Clients included 20th Century Fox, Walt Disney Studios, the BBC, International Creative Management, and other major film players as well as hundreds of independent filmmakers.

Jeffrey brings his extensive, hands-on experience into the Workshop to help you see a film concept through the discerning eye of a financier and distributor.

Previously, Jeffrey served as the President of the Independent Feature Project (IFP) of Northern California, and led the organization through its most successful high-growth period. He also founded the Independent Filmmakers of Northern California, which he headed for three years before consolidating it into IFP under his tenure there.

Workshop Venue:

San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking
Third Street Stage
2565 Third Street — Suite 337
San Francisco, CA 94107
(directions)

San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking (SFSDF), the most innovative film school in the Bay Area, specializes in teaching the latest digital video technology along with the traditional craft of filmmaking. SFSDF offers two programs, a 10-month certificate program designed for students intent on start a career in the movie industry and a 4-week summer class for students who wish to learn the basics of digital filmmaking.

Learn more about SFSDF at http://www.sfdigifilm.com

Schedule:

Registration:

Online registration is available at http://iiff-workshop.mollyguard.com (bottom of page)

Early bird registration NLT April 18th:
IIFF Member ... $75 if pre-registered NLT April 18th
Non-member ... $100

Regular registration:
IIFF Member ... $100 if registered after April 18th
Non-member ... $125

On-site registration: at regular rate ($100/$125) plus $25, as long as tickets are available.

NOTE: Non-member portion of workshop fee can be credited towards IIFF annual membership fee.

To inquire about membership with IIFF, email us at membership@filmfinancing.org, or approach Patrick Reilly during the event.

Questions?

Please direct your questions and inquiries regarding the Workshop to:

Mitch Posada
(415) 420-1518
mitch.posada@filmfinancing.org

Link to this page:
http://iiff-workshop.mollyguard.com

Keep in touch:
Join our discussion mailing list at http://forum.filmfinancing.org/