Independent Entertainment, the finance, sales and production company behind films including “We Need to Talk About Kevin” and the upcoming “My Policeman,” which is set to have its world premiere at TIFF, celebrates its fifteenth anniversary this year.
Since its founding by CEO Luc Roeg in 2007, the film landscape has undergone unimaginable change, from the ascendance of streaming platforms to the global pandemic followed by a cost of living crisis that has brought cinemas to their knees.
Despite the challenges, Independent Entertainment has gone from strength to strength, adapting to market changes while remaining true to what Roeg describes as its “creative core.”
“Every decision is made around the creative basis and how the team or individuals are responding to it,” Roeg tells Variety of the company’s strategy. “I think we are very much a production-led business in the sense that whenever we get involved, even in third party projects,...
Since its founding by CEO Luc Roeg in 2007, the film landscape has undergone unimaginable change, from the ascendance of streaming platforms to the global pandemic followed by a cost of living crisis that has brought cinemas to their knees.
Despite the challenges, Independent Entertainment has gone from strength to strength, adapting to market changes while remaining true to what Roeg describes as its “creative core.”
“Every decision is made around the creative basis and how the team or individuals are responding to it,” Roeg tells Variety of the company’s strategy. “I think we are very much a production-led business in the sense that whenever we get involved, even in third party projects,...
- 9/11/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. based Independent Entertainment, which develops, finances, produces and sells independent features, has expanded to Los Angeles, Variety can reveal.
Independent has tapped former Voltage Pictures executive Marc Hofstatter to run the L.A. operation, which marks the first time the company has had a dedicated U.S. presence. His official title will be head of acquisitions.
Before joining Independent Entertainment, Hofstatter was an in-house producer at Voltage, where he worked on Jessica Chastain thriller “Ava” and “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” among other projects. He also exec produced “V.F.W” and founded the company’s TV slate. Prior to that Hofstatter worked at Indigogo as head of film, overseeing acquisitions and business development.
Independent Entertainment has also promoted long-standing executive Sarah Lebutsch from head of sales to managing director of international sales. Lebutsch has represented films including “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” “Moon” and Banksy...
Independent has tapped former Voltage Pictures executive Marc Hofstatter to run the L.A. operation, which marks the first time the company has had a dedicated U.S. presence. His official title will be head of acquisitions.
Before joining Independent Entertainment, Hofstatter was an in-house producer at Voltage, where he worked on Jessica Chastain thriller “Ava” and “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” among other projects. He also exec produced “V.F.W” and founded the company’s TV slate. Prior to that Hofstatter worked at Indigogo as head of film, overseeing acquisitions and business development.
Independent Entertainment has also promoted long-standing executive Sarah Lebutsch from head of sales to managing director of international sales. Lebutsch has represented films including “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” “Moon” and Banksy...
- 5/5/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Frank Grillo will fight a group of “terrifying, deadly creatures” in upcoming feature “The Dagon.”
Brad Anderson (“The Machinist”) is set to direct the thriller, working from an original screenplay by Peter Mattei (“Outsiders”).
In “The Dagon,” Grillo (“Kingdom”) will play Jack, a father who lives an isolated rural life alongside his family. “When his eldest daughter comes of age, the family must confront the Dagon – the terrifying, deadly creatures that surround them every night,” reads the logline.
The film is set to start production in the Pacific Northwest in fall 2022.
Neal Edelstein (“Mulholland Drive”) and Mike Macari (“The Ring”) will produce. They previously worked with Anderson on “Fractured.”
Independent Entertainment are repping the film, which will launch sales in Cannes this month. Independent are co-repping North American rights with CAA.
“Frank Grillo is one of the most compelling and dynamic actors out there and I have been wanting to work with him for ages,...
Brad Anderson (“The Machinist”) is set to direct the thriller, working from an original screenplay by Peter Mattei (“Outsiders”).
In “The Dagon,” Grillo (“Kingdom”) will play Jack, a father who lives an isolated rural life alongside his family. “When his eldest daughter comes of age, the family must confront the Dagon – the terrifying, deadly creatures that surround them every night,” reads the logline.
The film is set to start production in the Pacific Northwest in fall 2022.
Neal Edelstein (“Mulholland Drive”) and Mike Macari (“The Ring”) will produce. They previously worked with Anderson on “Fractured.”
Independent Entertainment are repping the film, which will launch sales in Cannes this month. Independent are co-repping North American rights with CAA.
“Frank Grillo is one of the most compelling and dynamic actors out there and I have been wanting to work with him for ages,...
- 5/5/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Frank Grillo (Kingdom) has signed on to star in the thriller The Dagon, from director Brad Anderson (The Machinist), which will soon head to Cannes. Independent Entertainment’s Head of International Sales Sarah Lebutsch will handle international at the Marché du Film, co-representing North American rights with CAA’s Nick Ogiony.
The film centers on Jack (Grillo), a father looking to control his family’s isolated rural life. When his eldest daughter comes of age, the family must confront the Dagon—the terrifying, deadly creatures that surround them every night. Pic reunites Anderson with producers Neal Edelstein (Mulholland Drive) and Mike Macari (Alone), following 2019’s Fractured, with an original screenplay penned by Peter Mattei (Outsiders). Production will kick off in the Pacific Northwest this fall.
“The Dagon is one of those rare scripts that delivers a story and characters you completely invest in, only to totally pull the rug from under you,...
The film centers on Jack (Grillo), a father looking to control his family’s isolated rural life. When his eldest daughter comes of age, the family must confront the Dagon—the terrifying, deadly creatures that surround them every night. Pic reunites Anderson with producers Neal Edelstein (Mulholland Drive) and Mike Macari (Alone), following 2019’s Fractured, with an original screenplay penned by Peter Mattei (Outsiders). Production will kick off in the Pacific Northwest this fall.
“The Dagon is one of those rare scripts that delivers a story and characters you completely invest in, only to totally pull the rug from under you,...
- 5/5/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Before Vfw makes its world premiere at Fantastic Fest, Rlje Films has grabbed up North American rights to release the movie in theaters and VOD in early 2020. Here's the official press release:
Los Angeles, Sept. 17, 2019 – Rlje Films has acquired North American rights to the action-horror feature Vfw ahead of its world premiere at this year’s Fantastic Fest in Austin. The movie is scheduled to be released in theaters and on VOD and Digital HD first quarter 2020.
Written by Max Brallier (“The Last Kids on Earth”) & Matthew McArdle and directed by
Joe Begos, the film stars Stephen Lang, William Sadler, Fred Williamson, Martin Kove, George Wendt (“Cheers”), David Patrick Kelly (“Twin Peaks”), Tom Williamson (“The Fosters”), Sierra McCormick (The Vast of Night), Travis Hammer (“Godless”), and Dora Madison (“Friday Night Lights”).
“We are so excited to work with the legendary Stephen Lang,” said Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer for Rlje Films.
Los Angeles, Sept. 17, 2019 – Rlje Films has acquired North American rights to the action-horror feature Vfw ahead of its world premiere at this year’s Fantastic Fest in Austin. The movie is scheduled to be released in theaters and on VOD and Digital HD first quarter 2020.
Written by Max Brallier (“The Last Kids on Earth”) & Matthew McArdle and directed by
Joe Begos, the film stars Stephen Lang, William Sadler, Fred Williamson, Martin Kove, George Wendt (“Cheers”), David Patrick Kelly (“Twin Peaks”), Tom Williamson (“The Fosters”), Sierra McCormick (The Vast of Night), Travis Hammer (“Godless”), and Dora Madison (“Friday Night Lights”).
“We are so excited to work with the legendary Stephen Lang,” said Mark Ward, Chief Acquisitions Officer for Rlje Films.
- 9/19/2019
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Exclusive: Rlje Films has acquired North American rights to Vfw, an action horror move with a tough-guy cast that includes Stephen Lang, William Sadler, Fred Williamson and Martin Kove. The deal comes as the pic, directed by Joe Begos, is prepping for its world premiere Saturday at Austin’s Fantastic Fest.
Rlje, which is coming off acquiring Richard Stanley’s Toronto Film Festival’s Midnight Madness wo rld premiere Color Out of Space a couple weeks ago, will release Vfw in theaters on on-demand in first-quarter 2020.
Penned by Max Brallier & Matthew McArdle, Vfw revolves around a group of war veterans who must defend their local Vfw post and an innocent teen against a deranged drug dealer and his relentless army of punk mutants. George Wendt, David Patrick Kelly, Tom Williamson, Sierra McCormick, Travis Hammer and Dora Madison also star.
Dallas Sonnier (Bone Tomahawk), Amanda Presmyk...
Rlje, which is coming off acquiring Richard Stanley’s Toronto Film Festival’s Midnight Madness wo rld premiere Color Out of Space a couple weeks ago, will release Vfw in theaters on on-demand in first-quarter 2020.
Penned by Max Brallier & Matthew McArdle, Vfw revolves around a group of war veterans who must defend their local Vfw post and an innocent teen against a deranged drug dealer and his relentless army of punk mutants. George Wendt, David Patrick Kelly, Tom Williamson, Sierra McCormick, Travis Hammer and Dora Madison also star.
Dallas Sonnier (Bone Tomahawk), Amanda Presmyk...
- 9/17/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Voltage Pictures has promoted Narine Garibyan to Creative Executive, where she will work on developing and producing the company’s film slate alongside Head of Acquisitions Babacar Diene and in-house producer Marc Hofstatter.
Garibyan, who joined Voltage in 2017, recently was an associate producer on Netflix’s Ted Bundy pic Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, which premiered at Sundance. She also worked on the Amy Schumer-starrer I Feel Pretty.
The slate at Voltage currently includes Eve, the action drama starring Jessica Chastain, Colin Farrell, John Malkovich and Geena Davis.
“Narine has continuously exhibited daring and innovative filmmaking initiatives which have not gone unnoticed,” Voltage president and COO Jonathan Deckter said. “We’re thrilled for her to take the next step in her new role as creative executive and know she will continue to be an invaluable asset to the production team at Voltage focusing on bringing the best projects...
Garibyan, who joined Voltage in 2017, recently was an associate producer on Netflix’s Ted Bundy pic Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, which premiered at Sundance. She also worked on the Amy Schumer-starrer I Feel Pretty.
The slate at Voltage currently includes Eve, the action drama starring Jessica Chastain, Colin Farrell, John Malkovich and Geena Davis.
“Narine has continuously exhibited daring and innovative filmmaking initiatives which have not gone unnoticed,” Voltage president and COO Jonathan Deckter said. “We’re thrilled for her to take the next step in her new role as creative executive and know she will continue to be an invaluable asset to the production team at Voltage focusing on bringing the best projects...
- 7/18/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Production underway in Dallas, Texas.
Voltage Pictures, riding high on the international box office success of Ya adaption After, has boarded international sales rights on Fangoria’s upcoming action-horror film V.F.W. in time for Cannes and will commence talks on the Croisette next week.
Genre specialist Joe Begos, who latest film Bliss premiered at Tribeca Film Festival last weekend, is directing from a screenplay by Max Brallier and Matthew McArdle about Vietnam War veterans who take a stand against a deranged drug dealer and his army of punk mutants to defend their local V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars) post and an innocent teen.
Voltage Pictures, riding high on the international box office success of Ya adaption After, has boarded international sales rights on Fangoria’s upcoming action-horror film V.F.W. in time for Cannes and will commence talks on the Croisette next week.
Genre specialist Joe Begos, who latest film Bliss premiered at Tribeca Film Festival last weekend, is directing from a screenplay by Max Brallier and Matthew McArdle about Vietnam War veterans who take a stand against a deranged drug dealer and his army of punk mutants to defend their local V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars) post and an innocent teen.
- 5/6/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Crowdfunding for independent film has been around for a while. When a campaign to complete Orson Welles’ last film can’t meet half its goal on Indiegogo, clearly even with major names attached, not every old project is able to engage with an audience. Sheer volume is making it tougher for your rodent documentary or alpaca musical to break out of the pack. And enough filmmakers have now tried and failed at crowdfunding that there’s reason to be scared of the whole thing.
Thankfully, the leaders of the biggest crowdfunding sites know this, and are working to help filmmakers get their movies made. There are clear advantages to hanging onto your equity, especially when it comes time to release your movie.
IndieWire editor-at-large Anne Thompson sat down with two veterans of the film and crowdfunding industry at Palm Springs Shortfest this past weekend to cover the changing marketplace, and...
Thankfully, the leaders of the biggest crowdfunding sites know this, and are working to help filmmakers get their movies made. There are clear advantages to hanging onto your equity, especially when it comes time to release your movie.
IndieWire editor-at-large Anne Thompson sat down with two veterans of the film and crowdfunding industry at Palm Springs Shortfest this past weekend to cover the changing marketplace, and...
- 6/29/2016
- by Russell Goldman
- Indiewire
For the second time, the Marché du Film is bringing back Next, a pavilion dedicated to the future of cinema. The Next Pavilion will host 22 heavyweight companies from all around the world. Every morning in Palais K, Next will offer a series of round-tables that aim to give an overview of today’s challenging landscape in film.
Each afternoon from 2:30pm on, the Next pavilion will host a series of Workshops and Special Sessions that focus on new and alternative forms of storytelling, production, financing and distribution of films.
This year Next is also extending its content to the Virtual Reality in collaboration with Innerspace. All day, every day there is the possibility to experience the Virtual Reality and discover the projects The Fifth Sleep by Balthazar Auxietre and D.M.Z: memories of a no man's land by Hayoun Kwon.
A vibrant scene for pioneers, innovative start-ups and creative initiatives in the film industry, Next is proud to highlight two exciting events with prominent personalities:
Speaking for the first time during the prestigious Festival de Cannes, Ted Sarandos, the Chief Content Officer for the VOD giant, Netflix, will deliver an exclusive talk on new distribution models and how they impact the financing and production of content.
Within the frame work of the Special French Touch Afternoon bringing together the Cnc and l’Institut Français initiative, renowned screen writer and director Céline Sciamma will highlight ideas behind digital and transmedia creation.
All Next activities are open to Marché du Film badge holders and members of the Producers Network and Workshop.
Next Full Program
Next Members
Bidslate, Bienniale of the Moving Image, Cineuropa, Connect4Climate-World bank Group, Cross Video Days, Cues, Ecocinema, Festival Genius, Festival Tous Ecrans, FilmDoo, Gathr Films, Indiepix, Innerspace, Ipeda, Power to the Pixel, Stage 32, Striim.in, The Festival Agency, Touscoprod, Ulule, Wallimage, Worldpremiere.com.
Round-Tables - every day from 10Am to 12Pm – Palais K
In conversation with Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos: Ted Sarandos will talk about one of the biggest concerns of film professionals today, that is the growing importance of new distribution models and how this impacts the financing of film production. It will be moderated by Laurent Cotillon, chief editor of Le Film Français, and introduced by Thierry Frémaux, general delegate of the Festival de Cannes.
Cinema & Transmedia Pitching Session: during this session Cross Video Days will present innovative, multi-platform and transmedia projects using digital tools to enrich the audience experience. Projects to be pitched : A Song For Nola by Hasmik Hovhannisyan, Dofus - Book 1: Julith by Frédéric Puech, Gringo by Torsten Gauger, Metamorphoses by Pierre Cattan, Vfc by Charles-Stephane Roy
Maximize the Potential of Crowdfunding in the Production Process: Crowdfunding practitioners and executives from the most popular platforms will share tips, answer question or respond to criticism about what used to be known as the new Eldorado of film financing. This session will be powered by Cineuropa and moderated by Domenico La Porta, Editor in Chief, Cineuropa. Speakers : Colin Brown, Editorial Director, Slated - Dan Schoenbrun, Film Outreach Lead, Kickstarter - Marc Hofstatter, Head of Film, Indiegogo - Mathieu Maire du Poset, Deputy Managing Director, Ulule - Sophie Kuno, Director of Partnerships, Touscoprod
Opportunities and Angles in the International Digital and VOD landscape: Between the global dominant majors such as Netflix, Google, and Amazon along with the proliferation of new and expanding players in VOD – what are the opportunities and issues for producers? Wendy Bernfeld, Founder and MD of Rights Stuff, will open the panel with a brief introduction on the current VOD platforms internationally. Speakers : Dragoslav Zachariev, Secretary General, Eurovod - Jacinto Roca, Founder & CEO, Wuaki.TV - William Page, Director, Filmdoo
Cinema innovation in the digital Experience Economy: This session brings together some of the most dynamic exhibitors who demonstrate new ways of renewing audiences for films. Moderated by Michael Gubbins, Consultant, Sampomedia. Speakers : Madeleine Probst, Cinema Program Producer, Watershed - Ivo Andrle, Acquisition Manager, Kino Aero - Gonzalo Lamela, Executive Director, Ecocinema - Tim League, CEO, Drafthouse Films. Powered by Europa Cinemas.
New Initiatives by Film Festivals for the Future of Cinema: This round-table will look into initiatives developed by film festivals to help films reach their potential audience. It will be moderated by Leslie Vuchot, CEO & Founder, The Festival Agency. Speakers: Johanna Koljonen, Editor of Nostradamus Project, GÖTEBURG Film Festival - Josef KULLENGÅRD, Coordinator, Malmo Arab Film Festival - Jarod Neece, Producer & Senior Programmer, SXSW - Jakub Duszynski, Head of Acquisitions, Gutek Film
Workshops - every day from 2:30Pm to 3:30Pm - Next Pavilion
VOD: The challenges and opportunities of Digital Distribution and how to embrace them: With VOD expected to surpass DVD and Blu-Ray sales within 3 years, are sales agents, distributors and filmmakers ready for the challenges to be faced in digital distribution? Workshop presented by Filmdoo.
Achieving Impact Through Theatrical Screenings: how to leverage your theatrical screenings into opportunities to elicit discussion, action, donations, corporate sponsorship and community activation so that your feature can truly be the catalyst for change that you intend it to be! Workshop presented by Gathr Films.
Securing a sales agent or a distributor: are the numbers in your favor? With over 8,000 films entering the global distribution market this year, and over 200,000 sales agents, distributors and exhibitors scattered across the world, how can they all find your movie? Workshop presented by Film Digital Cloud Network.
Digital Distribution of Films: Real and Concrete Business Cases: Ipeda is currently taking part in two actions supported by Creative Europe, Walk This Way (exploitation of more than 30 films on VOD platforms across Europe) and Tide 3 (multi-territorial D&D releases of 4 films). This session will discuss the most recent experiments and business cases in digital distribution. Workshop presented by Ipeda (The Independent Pan European Digital Association
Céline Sciamma to highlight ideas behind digital and transmedia: Cnc is proud to showcase some of their latest supported projects and to invite renowned screenwriter and director Celine Sciamma, President of the Commission for New Media, to share her visions on transmedia opportunities and on the changing and promising landscape of virtual reality. French Touch Special Session presented by le Cnc and l’Institut Francais.
Hacking the Future of Film: Guanajuato International Film Festival hosted the first Giff Hack, inviting creative coders, programmers and engineers to envision the future of filmmaking during a 40-hour hack- a-thon. They will present three of the most outstanding projects: “Xp Sound”, an audiovisual experience “Enti”, an external content platform which brings virtual reality closer, “By Frames”, an efficient method of digitizing film memory. This is a session in Collaboration with the Short Film Corner.
Special Sessions - every day from 4Pm to 5Pm – Next Pavilion
Launching a Successful Movie Crowdfunding Campaign & Building a Strong Community. Thanks to two project creators' feed-backs, learn to build and give life to your very own crowdfunding campaign. Feedback & case study on Noob and Night Fare. Session presented by Ulule.
The 3T’s success formula of new media financing: TransMedia, TransRegional and TransAtlantic! Following the“Transregional Interactive Experiences” organized with its French partner, Pictanovo, Wallimage has set up a new transmedia matching fund with the Canada Media Fund that recently awarded 3 multi-platforms projects funded under the “TransAtlantic Call for interactive projects” flagship. Session presented by Wallimage.
Meet the Financiers of Innovation & Cross-Media: As audience behavior transforms, meet the people who are investing in new ways for film and media organizations to adapt to stay relevant. Hear from a wide spectrum of international heads of funds and commissioners who are leading the way in backing new types of entertainment products, audience engagement tools and cross-media projects. Session presented by Power To The Pixel.
Beyond Cinema: the Swiss Vr and digital revolution. Keynote on "Financing innovation: news from the Swiss digital culture funding battleground" followed by a showcase of five Swiss virtual reality and digital projects that challenge the film industry. Session presented by Festival Tous Ecrans.
New Producers: The French Touch of the Web Creation : Several producers and experts of french new media will discuss transmedia production and new multi-platform storytelling. They will share their experiences, projects and visions for the future. French Touch Special Session presented by le Cnc and l’Institut Francais
FILM4CLIMATE: Taking Action on Climate Change! What can the film industry do to help influence the outcomes and contribute to climate action? There are signs of commitment to reduce environmental impact in the industry and advocate for change through story content. Session presented by CONNECT4CLIMATE – World Bank Group.
Using Social Media and Crowdsourcing to Build an Audience for Your Film and Further Your Career: this session will focus in the ins and outs of crowdsourcing and how you can launch a crowdsourcing campaign as a method of identifying, engaging and moving an audience to help develop, create, market and promote your project. Session presented by Stage 32.
Each afternoon from 2:30pm on, the Next pavilion will host a series of Workshops and Special Sessions that focus on new and alternative forms of storytelling, production, financing and distribution of films.
This year Next is also extending its content to the Virtual Reality in collaboration with Innerspace. All day, every day there is the possibility to experience the Virtual Reality and discover the projects The Fifth Sleep by Balthazar Auxietre and D.M.Z: memories of a no man's land by Hayoun Kwon.
A vibrant scene for pioneers, innovative start-ups and creative initiatives in the film industry, Next is proud to highlight two exciting events with prominent personalities:
Speaking for the first time during the prestigious Festival de Cannes, Ted Sarandos, the Chief Content Officer for the VOD giant, Netflix, will deliver an exclusive talk on new distribution models and how they impact the financing and production of content.
Within the frame work of the Special French Touch Afternoon bringing together the Cnc and l’Institut Français initiative, renowned screen writer and director Céline Sciamma will highlight ideas behind digital and transmedia creation.
All Next activities are open to Marché du Film badge holders and members of the Producers Network and Workshop.
Next Full Program
Next Members
Bidslate, Bienniale of the Moving Image, Cineuropa, Connect4Climate-World bank Group, Cross Video Days, Cues, Ecocinema, Festival Genius, Festival Tous Ecrans, FilmDoo, Gathr Films, Indiepix, Innerspace, Ipeda, Power to the Pixel, Stage 32, Striim.in, The Festival Agency, Touscoprod, Ulule, Wallimage, Worldpremiere.com.
Round-Tables - every day from 10Am to 12Pm – Palais K
In conversation with Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos: Ted Sarandos will talk about one of the biggest concerns of film professionals today, that is the growing importance of new distribution models and how this impacts the financing of film production. It will be moderated by Laurent Cotillon, chief editor of Le Film Français, and introduced by Thierry Frémaux, general delegate of the Festival de Cannes.
Cinema & Transmedia Pitching Session: during this session Cross Video Days will present innovative, multi-platform and transmedia projects using digital tools to enrich the audience experience. Projects to be pitched : A Song For Nola by Hasmik Hovhannisyan, Dofus - Book 1: Julith by Frédéric Puech, Gringo by Torsten Gauger, Metamorphoses by Pierre Cattan, Vfc by Charles-Stephane Roy
Maximize the Potential of Crowdfunding in the Production Process: Crowdfunding practitioners and executives from the most popular platforms will share tips, answer question or respond to criticism about what used to be known as the new Eldorado of film financing. This session will be powered by Cineuropa and moderated by Domenico La Porta, Editor in Chief, Cineuropa. Speakers : Colin Brown, Editorial Director, Slated - Dan Schoenbrun, Film Outreach Lead, Kickstarter - Marc Hofstatter, Head of Film, Indiegogo - Mathieu Maire du Poset, Deputy Managing Director, Ulule - Sophie Kuno, Director of Partnerships, Touscoprod
Opportunities and Angles in the International Digital and VOD landscape: Between the global dominant majors such as Netflix, Google, and Amazon along with the proliferation of new and expanding players in VOD – what are the opportunities and issues for producers? Wendy Bernfeld, Founder and MD of Rights Stuff, will open the panel with a brief introduction on the current VOD platforms internationally. Speakers : Dragoslav Zachariev, Secretary General, Eurovod - Jacinto Roca, Founder & CEO, Wuaki.TV - William Page, Director, Filmdoo
Cinema innovation in the digital Experience Economy: This session brings together some of the most dynamic exhibitors who demonstrate new ways of renewing audiences for films. Moderated by Michael Gubbins, Consultant, Sampomedia. Speakers : Madeleine Probst, Cinema Program Producer, Watershed - Ivo Andrle, Acquisition Manager, Kino Aero - Gonzalo Lamela, Executive Director, Ecocinema - Tim League, CEO, Drafthouse Films. Powered by Europa Cinemas.
New Initiatives by Film Festivals for the Future of Cinema: This round-table will look into initiatives developed by film festivals to help films reach their potential audience. It will be moderated by Leslie Vuchot, CEO & Founder, The Festival Agency. Speakers: Johanna Koljonen, Editor of Nostradamus Project, GÖTEBURG Film Festival - Josef KULLENGÅRD, Coordinator, Malmo Arab Film Festival - Jarod Neece, Producer & Senior Programmer, SXSW - Jakub Duszynski, Head of Acquisitions, Gutek Film
Workshops - every day from 2:30Pm to 3:30Pm - Next Pavilion
VOD: The challenges and opportunities of Digital Distribution and how to embrace them: With VOD expected to surpass DVD and Blu-Ray sales within 3 years, are sales agents, distributors and filmmakers ready for the challenges to be faced in digital distribution? Workshop presented by Filmdoo.
Achieving Impact Through Theatrical Screenings: how to leverage your theatrical screenings into opportunities to elicit discussion, action, donations, corporate sponsorship and community activation so that your feature can truly be the catalyst for change that you intend it to be! Workshop presented by Gathr Films.
Securing a sales agent or a distributor: are the numbers in your favor? With over 8,000 films entering the global distribution market this year, and over 200,000 sales agents, distributors and exhibitors scattered across the world, how can they all find your movie? Workshop presented by Film Digital Cloud Network.
Digital Distribution of Films: Real and Concrete Business Cases: Ipeda is currently taking part in two actions supported by Creative Europe, Walk This Way (exploitation of more than 30 films on VOD platforms across Europe) and Tide 3 (multi-territorial D&D releases of 4 films). This session will discuss the most recent experiments and business cases in digital distribution. Workshop presented by Ipeda (The Independent Pan European Digital Association
Céline Sciamma to highlight ideas behind digital and transmedia: Cnc is proud to showcase some of their latest supported projects and to invite renowned screenwriter and director Celine Sciamma, President of the Commission for New Media, to share her visions on transmedia opportunities and on the changing and promising landscape of virtual reality. French Touch Special Session presented by le Cnc and l’Institut Francais.
Hacking the Future of Film: Guanajuato International Film Festival hosted the first Giff Hack, inviting creative coders, programmers and engineers to envision the future of filmmaking during a 40-hour hack- a-thon. They will present three of the most outstanding projects: “Xp Sound”, an audiovisual experience “Enti”, an external content platform which brings virtual reality closer, “By Frames”, an efficient method of digitizing film memory. This is a session in Collaboration with the Short Film Corner.
Special Sessions - every day from 4Pm to 5Pm – Next Pavilion
Launching a Successful Movie Crowdfunding Campaign & Building a Strong Community. Thanks to two project creators' feed-backs, learn to build and give life to your very own crowdfunding campaign. Feedback & case study on Noob and Night Fare. Session presented by Ulule.
The 3T’s success formula of new media financing: TransMedia, TransRegional and TransAtlantic! Following the“Transregional Interactive Experiences” organized with its French partner, Pictanovo, Wallimage has set up a new transmedia matching fund with the Canada Media Fund that recently awarded 3 multi-platforms projects funded under the “TransAtlantic Call for interactive projects” flagship. Session presented by Wallimage.
Meet the Financiers of Innovation & Cross-Media: As audience behavior transforms, meet the people who are investing in new ways for film and media organizations to adapt to stay relevant. Hear from a wide spectrum of international heads of funds and commissioners who are leading the way in backing new types of entertainment products, audience engagement tools and cross-media projects. Session presented by Power To The Pixel.
Beyond Cinema: the Swiss Vr and digital revolution. Keynote on "Financing innovation: news from the Swiss digital culture funding battleground" followed by a showcase of five Swiss virtual reality and digital projects that challenge the film industry. Session presented by Festival Tous Ecrans.
New Producers: The French Touch of the Web Creation : Several producers and experts of french new media will discuss transmedia production and new multi-platform storytelling. They will share their experiences, projects and visions for the future. French Touch Special Session presented by le Cnc and l’Institut Francais
FILM4CLIMATE: Taking Action on Climate Change! What can the film industry do to help influence the outcomes and contribute to climate action? There are signs of commitment to reduce environmental impact in the industry and advocate for change through story content. Session presented by CONNECT4CLIMATE – World Bank Group.
Using Social Media and Crowdsourcing to Build an Audience for Your Film and Further Your Career: this session will focus in the ins and outs of crowdsourcing and how you can launch a crowdsourcing campaign as a method of identifying, engaging and moving an audience to help develop, create, market and promote your project. Session presented by Stage 32.
- 5/9/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
For the third year in a row, YouTube will have a major presence at the most prominent independent film festival in America. The most popular video sharing site in the world will participate in several panels at Sundance Film Festival, including a pair launched in tandem with The Hollywood Reporter.
YouTube and The Hollywood Reporter's "THR Talks" will take place on Friday, January 23rd at the Park City Live venue. The earlier of the two conversations will take on the topic of crowdfunding, which has emerged as a popular fundraising strategy for both YouTubers and acclaimed independent filmmakers alike. Indiegogo's Marc Hofstatter will explain the ways his company is making inroads into the creative community, while fellow panelist Burnie Burns of Rooster Teeth will surely talk about the massive success he's seen on his own crowdfunding project.
The second "THR Talk" will compare the "traditional path" to Hollywood against the...
YouTube and The Hollywood Reporter's "THR Talks" will take place on Friday, January 23rd at the Park City Live venue. The earlier of the two conversations will take on the topic of crowdfunding, which has emerged as a popular fundraising strategy for both YouTubers and acclaimed independent filmmakers alike. Indiegogo's Marc Hofstatter will explain the ways his company is making inroads into the creative community, while fellow panelist Burnie Burns of Rooster Teeth will surely talk about the massive success he's seen on his own crowdfunding project.
The second "THR Talk" will compare the "traditional path" to Hollywood against the...
- 1/20/2015
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer, Morgan Spurlock, and comedian/actor Russell Brand are set to appear at next year’s South By Southwest confab, which today announced the first wave of 2015 Convergence speakers. The announcement of over 60 sessions includes panels in the growing SXsports program, TV, and Digital sidebars. The 2015 edition runs from March 13 – 22 in Austin, Texas – scroll down for the rundown:
A Curious Mind: The Inspiration for a Creative Life
Brian Grazer (Imagine Entertainment), Charles Fishman (The Big Thirst)
Russell Brand Interview with Brian Solis
Russell Brand (Comedian), Brian Solis (Altimeter Group)
SXsports
Athletes are Suddenly Funny: The Power of Comedy & Sports
Patrick Starzan (Funny or Die)
Battling Tradition to Re-Invent Youth Sports
Matt Farrell (USA Swimming), Kurt Kamperman (Us Tennis Association), Jeff Price (PGA of America)
Beyond the Bar Graph: Insights Over Info
Christopher Glode (Under Armour), Marybeth Thomson (MyFitnessPal)
The Business of Preparing Potential NFL Draftees
Jason...
A Curious Mind: The Inspiration for a Creative Life
Brian Grazer (Imagine Entertainment), Charles Fishman (The Big Thirst)
Russell Brand Interview with Brian Solis
Russell Brand (Comedian), Brian Solis (Altimeter Group)
SXsports
Athletes are Suddenly Funny: The Power of Comedy & Sports
Patrick Starzan (Funny or Die)
Battling Tradition to Re-Invent Youth Sports
Matt Farrell (USA Swimming), Kurt Kamperman (Us Tennis Association), Jeff Price (PGA of America)
Beyond the Bar Graph: Insights Over Info
Christopher Glode (Under Armour), Marybeth Thomson (MyFitnessPal)
The Business of Preparing Potential NFL Draftees
Jason...
- 10/16/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
YouTube content creators who wish to crowdfund their own projects have several options, but recently, many of them have turned exclusively to Indiegogo. In the past year alone, the flexible service has powered a number of high-profile campaigns as well as thousands of smaller projects, some of which we feature in our Fund This column. At the center of Indiegogo's growth stands Marc Hofstatter, the company's Head of Film and Digital. Hofstatter came to Indiegogo a year ago and has been instrumental in connecting Indiegogo to the cash-hungry YouTube creators who wish to fund their own projects. With his help, Indiegogo has developed a strong connection with the online video community, and those ties are only getting stronger: The company's latest hire is Rebecca Lando, a former YouTube Next Lab and YouTube Spaces employee. She comes to Indiegogo from Nerdist, where she managed the studio's YouTube network. We decided to...
- 9/9/2014
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Reinvent Hollywood continued its Google Hangout series with "The Audience," a look at the role of the audience in the filmmaking process. "Increasingly, audiences are built, not found," said series host, Fandor CEO Ted Hope. "It's a new collaborative era. The barrier between creator and audience is dissolving. Filmgoers will not only applaud from their seats, but participate in the creation of the movies and the buzz-building that happens later." The 90-minute episode — the third part of a six-part series — featured filmmaker Gillian Robespierre ("Obvious Child"), Anne Thompson of Thompson on Hollywood, Tim League, CEO of Drafthouse Films," "Veronica Mars" producer Ivan Askwith, Marc Hofstatter, head of film at IndieGoGo and Marc Schiller, CEO of Bond360. "The way we see those unique features produced by the Hollywood studio system which we obviously don't see very often, is the audience voting with their dollars. If...
- 6/25/2014
- by Brandon Latham
- Indiewire
Attention, filmmakers looking for advice on how to crowdfund their next project: Look no further. Indiegogo has just released a free online handbook for filmmakers that provides tips and helpful guidance for how to crowdfund, the company announced today at The Tribeca Film Festival. You can download the handbook here. "Filmmakers at times can find crowdfunding their first project daunting when it is actually anything but," said Marc Hofstatter, Head of Film for Indiegogo. "Given the right education and experience with the concept, which this handbook provides, Indiegogo once again aims to make their campaigners' lives easier. As always we are there for our filmmakers every step of the way and now that kind of support is available in the most comprehensive guide available." Founded in 2008, Indiegogo recently got a new logo and a redesigned website. Earlier this year, the site announced an influx of $40 million in Series B fundraising.
- 4/23/2014
- by Paula Bernstein
- Indiewire
It was 2006 and in a kitchen in San Francisco, three people put their heads together.Two years later, Danae Ringelmann, Slava Rubin and Eric Schell cofounded Indiegogo, launched at Sundance and the rest is history. Indiegogo is the original crowdfunder, an open platform that invites independent filmmakers, artists and dreamers of all kinds to get their ideas off the ground through fan support.At a recent panel in Los Angeles, Marc Hofstatter of Indiegogo was joined by campaign producer Ray Brown ("The Bounce Back") to discuss the ins-and-outs of the company, and what makes a successful campaign -- in other words, sage wisdom for any indie filmmaker looking to crowdfund. Indiegogo also talked about a little something they call the Gogofactor, which increases your exposure if you're a smart, committed campaigner. Highlights below. Crowdfunding has become a new normal for filmmakers who want an audience that's more than just a theater full of passive eyeballs.
- 9/30/2013
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
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