FILM DAY - Thursday, September 25

9:00 – 10:15 AM
World Sales Update: Is The Sky Really Falling? (FTV06)

Mark Gill's now infamous “The Sky is Falling” speech unleashed a torrent of fear and conflicting responses amongst independent film distributors. But can the Internet, as producer Ted Hope suggested, really rebuild what has collapsed? Our panel of international experts is here for a ‘reality check up'. With few er distributors to field pitches to, what kinds of budgets can indie films sustain? How do you set a marketing campaign cap that draws audiences but does not erode profits? Is there still hope for a theatrical window or should filmmakers embrace the broader reach of digital distribution?

Moderator:
Alexandra Raffé, President, Savi Media

Guest Speakers:
Nicolas Chartier, President, Voltage Pictures
Matt Dentler, Head of Marketing & Programming, Cinetic Rights Management
Suraj M. Gohill, Sn. VP, CIT Group, Entertainment Finance and Advisory

10:30 – 12:00 PM
Co-production Partners: Ireland, Germany and Mexico (FTV07)

With US long-term distributors folding monthly, Canadians need to capitalise on their market advantage as prolific international co-producers. Last year Canadian co-productions grew by 48% to 25 feature films. This year we are focusing on Ireland, Germany and Mexico, countries that either have a longstanding, recent and/or emerging co-production relationship with Canada. Sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

Moderator:
Elizabeth Yake, President, True West Films

Guest Speakers:
David Collins, Founder/Producer, Samson Films
Pablo Cruz, Producer, Canana Films
Steffen Reuter, Producer, SCHMIDTz KATZE FILMKOLLEKTIV

12:30 – 1:30 PM
Speed Dating Sessions – Film Day (FTV08)

Designed for emerging and transitioning feature filmmakers, these sessions are the perfect opportunity to have: one-on-one meetings with broadcasters and senior local producers; pitch projects; get feedback; and forge new relationships! Please click here for a list of participating producers and broadcasters, make your choice and email: forum@viff.org or call us at (604) 685.3547 to book your appointment!

1:15 – 2:30 PM
Character Development: Screenwriting Master Class (FTV09)

Travis Bicknell (Taxi), Vincent Vega (Pulp Fiction), Margot Channing (All About Eve), Roger “Verbal” Kint (The Usual Suspects), Clarice Starling (Silence of the Lambs)… What makes these characters so memorable? Great, unique character development! But if it's not on the page, it won't be on screen! This session will provide you with a screenwriting toolkit to help you clarify your characters' motivations; use all of your senses to give your characters more depth; add texture to scenes using a character's small gestures and habits; use their past history to inform their choices within the story and drive the narrative arc. Sponsored by Astral Media The Harold Greenberg Fund.

Moderator:
Simon Barry, Writer, Shake Hands with the Devil

Guest Speaker:
Michael Goldenberg, Screenwriter, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Don McKellar, Screenwriter, Blindness

2:45 – 4:00 PM
The Art of Creative Producing (FTV10)

Although art house films are rarely seen in theatres, their popularity at film festivals and through ongoing DVD rentals/purchases underscores the basic truth about audiences' viewing choices. They love a good story­­ no matter where or how they see it. One of the most important skills a producer can have is identifying a great story and putting the right team together to tell it. Join us for an in-depth discussion with two award-winning indie producers who will share their experiences of transforming the written word into an engaging visual journey. Sponsored by British Columbia Film and BC Producers' Branch-CFTPA.

Moderator:
Helen Du Toit, Creative Director, The Film & TV Forum

Guest Speakers:
Maggie Renzi, Producer, Honeydripper
Glenn Williamson, Executive Producer, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

4:15 – 5:30 PM
Editing: The Cut Stops Here (FTV11)

French filmmaker Robert Bresson thought of film as having three lives and two deaths. “It is born in your head, it dies on paper; it is brought to life again during shooting, where it is killed on film; and then resurrected in the editing, where it opens up like flowers in water.” Spending much of their time in small dark rooms, editors are often the unsung heroes of a film's creative team. In this session, we bring an editor into the light to discuss the aesthetic and technical contributions they make to the film process. Sponsored by ACFC West, Local 2020 CEP.

Moderator:
David Hauka, Writer/Producer/Director

Guest Speaker:
Susan Shipton, Editor, Adoration

DOC DAY - FILM DAY - TV DAY - NEW FILMMAKERS' DAY