WINSTON | BAKER will be hosting the 4th Annual Film Finance Forum East in association with Variety. This particular conference has always been hosted in New York; however, this year we will be hosting the forum in Canada during the 37th Toronto International Film Festival. The speaking faculty will address strategies for financing and distributing independent films.

AGENDA

• July 12, 2012– 8:00am - 6:00pm
  8:00 - 9:00 am   Registration and Continental Breakfast

  9:00 - 9:30 am   Welcoming Remarks

  9:30 - 10:45 am   State of the Industry: Financing Single Picture Deals in Today’s Market
  - Are there new pro-investor models to attract private capital into the independent film business?
  - If so, what deal structures have worked in recent months?
  - New standards for evaluating an independent film’s economic value
  - Understanding capital structure from private lending and mezzanine lending to equity vs. debt and bridge financing
  - Who are the lenders and what new debt financing solutions are available?
  MODERATOR: Jay Cohen, Head of Film Finance and Distribution, The Gersh Agency
  PANELISTS:
  Teddy Schwarzman, Principal, Black Bear Pictures
  Michael Benaroya, Chief Executive Officer, Benaroya Pictures
  Adam Ripp, CEO/President, Crime Scene Pictures
  Bill Lischak, Chief Operating Officer, OddLot Entertainment

  10:45 - 11:15 am   Networking Break

  11:15 am - 12:30 pm   Independent Strategy: The Art of Project Development and Packaging
  - Aligning interest with the right partners
  - Identifying, securing, and negotiating with talent and their representatives
  - Defining the budget and amount needed from financier
  - Checklist when approaching lenders and investors
  SPEAKERS:
  Anthony Rhulen, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, FilmEngine
  James Huddleston, Senior Vice President, Finance and Business Affairs, Informant Media
  Adam Rymer, Chief Operating Officer, Lava Bear
  Mark Ankner, Agent, Finance and Distribution Group, WME Entertainment
  Christopher Woodrow, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Worldview Entertainment

  12:30 - 1:30 pm   Networking Luncheon

  1:30 - 2:45 pm   Making the Sale: Securing Domestic and International Distribution
  Selling a film in such a competitive local and global marketplace can be a challenge no matter how great the content and its talent might be. During this session, learn the latest strategies on getting movies into domestic and international outlets such as theaters, VOD, cable, and Internet broadcasting opportunities. Panelists will also address the emerging role of collapsing windows and debate it risks and rewards.
  MODERATOR:
  Robert Darwell, Chair - Entertainment, Media, Technology Group, Sheppard Mullin
  PANELISTS: Laurie May, Executive Vice President, Alliance Films
  Mark Gill, President, Millennium Films
  Berry Meyerowitz, President & Chief Executive Officer, PHASE 4 Films
  Jonathan Sehring, President, Sundance Selects/IFC Films
  Lisa Wilson, Co-Founder/Partner, The Solution Entertainment Group

  2:45 - 3:45 pm   The Search for Incentives: Lining up U.S. and Canadian Soft Monies for 2013 With soft money becoming harder to come by, this session will address how to identify the right partners and locations for enhanced incentives; updates on federal, regional and state programs; work out financial structuring; distribution territories; agreements; and accounting practices, among many other issues when working with US and Canadian incentives and tax credits through the current political and economic climate.
  SPEAKERS:
  Joe Chianese, Executive Vice President, EP Financial Solutions, Entertainment Partners
  Will French, President, Film Production Capital
  Mariella Perez, Film Commissioner, Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce

  3:45 - 4:15 pm   Networking Break

  4:15 - 5:15 pm   Beyond North America: Lessons Learned from Early Investing in China
  - Challenges of doing business in China and with the Chinese
  - Are co-productions the best way go? What are the alternatives?
  - Overcoming regulatory hurdles - what strategies have worked?
  - Exploring cinema as an investment vehicle
  SPEAKERS:
  Marc Schipper, Chief Operating Officer, Exclusive Media
  Maarten Melchior, International Representative, Film and TV Division, Fintage House
  Clint Kisker, Director, Screen Capital International

  5:15 - 7:30 pm   Networking Reception

  7:30 pm   Forum Concludes

  This program is subject to change.

Speakers

• 
  Adam Ripp
  Chief Executive Officer & President, Crime Scene Pictures
• 
  Berry Meyerowitz
  President & Chief Executive Officer, PHASE 4 Films
• 
  Bill Lischak
  Chief Operating Officer, OddLot Entertainment
• 
  Christopher Woodrow
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Worldview Entertainment
• 
  Clint Kisker
  Director, Screen Capital International
• 
  James Huddleston
  Senior Vice President, Finance and Business Affairs, Informant Media
• 
  Jay Cohen
  Head of Film Finance and Distribution, The Gersh Agency
• 
  Jonathan Sehring
  President, Sundance Selects/IFC Films
• 
  Joseph Chianese
  Executive Vice President, EP Financial Solutions, Entertainment Partners
• 
  Laurie May
  Executive Vice President, Alliance Films
• 
  Lisa Wilson
  Co-Founder/Partner, The Solution Entertainment Group
• 
  Maarten Melchior
  International Representative, Film and TV Division, Fintage House
• 
  Marc Schipper
  Chief Operating Officer, Exclusive Media
• 
  Mariella Perez
  Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce
• 
  Mark Ankner
  Agent, Finance and Distribution Group, WME Entertainment
• 
  Mark Gill
  President, Millennium Films
• 
  Michael Benaroya
  Chief Executive Officer,Benaroya Pictures
• 
  Robert Darwell
  Chair - Entertainment, Media, Technology Group, Sheppard Mullin
• 
  Teddy Schwarzman
  Principal, Black Bear Pictures
• 
  Will French
  Principal, Black Bear Pictures

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