VFO, VPA, WFD & Belltower Pictures present:
Marketing, Distribution & Finance Symposium, May 6-7, 2017
The purpose of the symposium is to bring together leading film industry experts to help filmmakers discover the most effective ways to finance, distribute and market their films, answering questions such as:
- What are the best ways to raise money for your film?
- How can you cultivate an audience for your film before pre-production?
- What are your options for distribution?
- Can you… and should you “do it yourself?”
Speakers and Panelists:
JON REISS founded Hybrid Cinema in 2010 to help filmmakers, film companies navigate the ever-changing world of film distribution and marketing. Since then he has worked with hundreds of filmmakers and the IFP, the Sundance Institute, Screen Australia, Film Independent, Creative Scotland, IDA, Film Independent, Creative Visions and numerous others. He wrote Think Outside the Box Office and co-wrote Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul. Named one of “10 Digital Directors to Watch” by Daily Variety, Jon has also directed music videos for Nine Inch Nails, The Black Crowes, Danzig and Slayer.
KIRK T. SCHRODER is a world-renowned and widely respected entertainment and arts law attorney. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for the field of entertainment law and is currently rated an “AV Preeminent” lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest rating for lawyers.
ERIK ANDERSON is the Founder and CEO of Premiere Digital Services and its independent distribution branch, Quiver. Prior to founding PDS & Quiver, Erik led the operations team that built out Apple’s iTunes Video Store, the world’s largest and most profitable online digital movie store. Quiver helps filmmakers distribute to worldwide audiences via video on demand retailers like iTunes, Google Play, and Netflix.
JO JENSEN is the Causeumentary CEO. After 12 years of digital marketing and grassroots experience, Jo has worked on the documentary campaigns of Honor Flight (Guinness World Record Holder), Blood Brother (Sundance Winner), SlingShot (Sundance Selection), I Voted? (Tribeca Selection), Salam Neighbor (AFI Docs Selection),After Spring (Tribeca Selection) and Poverty, Inc. (Paris’ FIFE Winner). Named one of 2015’s “Rising PR Stars” while the Associate Vice President of Digital Media at the Washington Public Affairs Film DDC, Jo helped pioneer its digital practice by developing and overseeing several successful PR campaigns. She is a frequent speaker on brands rocking social and has hosted digital training sessions at Campaign Tech East, The National Press Club, The Army Navy Club, CPAC and The State Policy Network. An invited speaker at the White House, Jo’s work has been featured in several national news outlets including NPR, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, Washington Post, CNN, Good Morning America and People Magazine.
BILL REEVES is the Founder of The WTA Group and has extensive experience in faith-based entertainment since 1988. He aided in distribution support for recording artists such as Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. At Big Idea Productions, Bill led retail product licensing and distribution for the successful VeggieTales® brand. As VP of Marketing for Propeller Consulting, he participated in the marketing launches of faith-based films such as Fireproof, Courageous and Soul Surfer. In 2009, Bill launched The WTA Group, where he has led the marketing campaigns for such films as 90 Minutes in Heaven, The Ultimate Life, and God’s Not Dead and his agency has steered the release of Heaven is for Real and War Room.
ORLY RAVID is the founder/co-executive director of the distribution non-profit The Film Collaborative (TFC) and an entertainment attorney at MSK (Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP). Non-profit by design, TFC specializes in distribution of documentaries and arthouse cinema without taking filmmakers’ rights. TFC offers free educational resources and advice regarding distribution and provides distribution services including sales/licensing, festival, theatrical and digital distribution, as well as fiscal sponsorship. TFC recently co-published How Not to Sign a Film Contract: Know What You’re Saying Yes To and co-authored and published the case study book series Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul. Orly has a 16-year career in independent film as an acquisitions and business affairs executive, all aspects of distribution, domestic and international sales/licensing, development, production, grassroots marketing, and festival programming. For more info: www.TheFilmCollaborative.org & www.msk.com.
Where: WCVE Studios, 23 Sesame Street, Richmond, VA
When: Saturday & Sunday, May 6 & 7, 2017
How Much: Registration – $150*
($100 for Veterans or members of VPA, WIFV, TIVA, SAG-AFTRA)
*Includes lunch both days and a reception Saturday evening
Register here