IIFF's Film Financing Workshop (April 2008)
on Domestic & Foreign Financing for Indies
with IFP Founder & Film Financier Sandra Schulberg

Abstract:

The Los Angeles chapter of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) continues its high-impact education & networking events at the junction of film & finance with another one-of-a-kind Film Financing Workshop for Southern California's community of filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and financiers.

Following the sold-out success of her previous L.A. Workshop, this intensive, hands-on seminar brings veteran film financier Sandra Schulberg back for more! It is an integral part of IIFF's unrivaled series of in-depth Workshops featuring such iconic instructors as Hollywood film financing legend Lew Horwitz (April '08 in San Francisco) and Silicon Valley venture capitalist Dr. Frank Greene (March '08 in San Francisco & Los Angeles). The seminar builds upon the exceptional popularity of IIFF's widely acclaimed monthly Townhall Meetings, first introduced in L.A. during the summer of 2007, and features a highly topical program taught by a leading, world-class expert with extensive practical experience in film finance. Our goal for this and future events is not only to provide unbiased insight & education about the business of film but also to foster & inform productive relationships between attending professionals.

Over the past years, the landscape of film financing has changed considerably and continues to be in flux. The ongoing democratization of the means of film production has loosed an avalanche of competition in independent film, making it more difficult for even the most talented filmmakers to stand out. On the other hand, film is attracting a wider range of financing sources than ever, including a large and diverse group of private equity investors (e.g., angels).

In this environment of change, many of the old rules no longer apply. While content undoubtedly remains king, it is more critical than ever that filmmakers take a proactive, systematic and business-savvy approach to getting their films financed — be they narratives or documentaries, features or shorts, or experimental work. To thrive on the challenges ahead, filmmakers need to transform themselves from creative masterminds and technical mavens into holistic film entrepreneurs who navigate business and financial waters as competently and confidently as they tackle creative and technical aspects of movie production. (After all, the complex and wonderful process of filmmaking starts and ends with the money!) Similarly, film investors and financial intermediaries such as bankers, attorneys, executive producers, etc. are well advised to not only take a close look at (notoriously hard to evaluate) screenplays, talent attachments, and production budgets but also familiarize themselves with a wide and ever-changing array of financing sources, incentives and strategies in order to find the right fit for each and every project.

Without a well thought-out financing plan, even the most promising film venture can easily turn into a protracted odyssey and may ultimately be doomed to fail — or, at least, fail to live up to its full potential. Moreover, the right set of financing strategies is an essential component of any viable film business plan — a film entrepreneur's systematic road map for success and the single most important document any serious film investor needs to see, evaluate, and understand.

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

• Do you know how to combine non-profit monies from grants with private investments in the same film project?
• Are you familiar with the structure of a private offering for prospective investors?
• Can you determine the right financial instrument for your film and when to form it?
• Are you familiar with the basic regulations of European & Canadian co-productions & co-financings?
• Do you know how to select and contract with a foreign sales company?
• Do you understand the structure of foreign sales and foreign distribution agreements?

IIFF cordially invites you to get answers to these and other key questions at a hands-on Film Financing Workshop with veteran film financier Sandra Schulberg (bio) who founded the Independent Feature Project (IFP) earlier in her distinguished career. Our seasoned 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. What is more, the lessons conveyed are specifically relevant to the financing of independent films, as opposed to studio pictures where distinctively different rules may apply.

Who should participate? Established and aspiring filmmakers looking to raise venture capital for their independent films, production companies, movie slates, film funds, or other film-related ventures are well advised to attend this high-value yet low-cost intensive seminar. Entrepreneurs, technologists, attorneys, bankers, investment managers, venture capitalists, and other professionals with an interest in the film business will also find the Workshop useful and worthwhile. Are you considering taking an active role in film or would you like to expand your current involvement? Don't miss this rare opportunity to gain highly relevant insights from a leading industry expert and genuine pioneer of the independent film scene! In the process, you will also connect with like-minded peers and potential collaborators.

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Featured Instructor:

This workshop will be expertly taught by Sandra Schulberg (bio), one of the pioneers of international financing for independent movies. Ms. Schulberg has been active in raising money for independent productions and nurturing indie filmmakers for more than 20 years. Additionally, she was a key figure in helping to create worldwide markets for independent films both as a producer and as founder and former president of the Independent Feature Project (IFP) and the Independent Feature Film Market (IFFM). In 1980, Ms. Schulberg co-founded the niche film distribution company First Run Features which is still operating today. From 1989 to 1996, she served as Senior Vice President of American Playhouse, the consortium of PBS stations which funded films on a wide range of American cultural themes, and she was the driving force behind American Playhouse Abroad, the unit's international division. From 1998 to 2001, Ms. Schulberg worked as Executive Producer and Investment Manager for a private German media fund, Hollywood Partners, and structured its financing in a slate of films, all of which involved multiple international production partners. She currently runs her own production company, as well as a publishing company, and has two feature films in development.

Ms. Schulberg was one of the first nominators to the Sundance Institute's Filmmakers Lab, and served on the Sundance Festival Advisory Committee for 5 years. She also served on the Board of ITVS (Independent Television Service) for 3 years, and was a Founding Board Member of the New York Documentary Center and its Docfest film festival. Ms. Schulberg received the IFP Spirit Award in 1994 for her contributions to independent cinema, and the Valerie Award in 2003 for her body of work as a producer. Her movies have been showcased and won awards at film festivals throughout the world.

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Workshop Venue:

Van Mar Academy of Motion Picture & Television Acting
7080 Hollywood Boulevard (at La Brea Ave.)
Suite #314 - 3rd floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Map: Get a map of 7080 Hollywood Blvd. (Van Mar Academy) from Ask, Google, MapQuest, MSN, Windows Live or Yahoo.

Driving directions: Our venue is conveniently located on the South-East corner of Hollywood Blvd. and N. La Brea Ave., just two blocks West of Grauman's Chinese Theater and Hollywood & Highland Center. Find an overview of directions to 7080 Hollywood Blvd. from different parts of the Greater L.A. Area here. Personalized driving directions can be obtained from any of the above-listed online mapping services; simply follow the link of your choice and enter your start address where required.

Our Host:

This Film Financing Workshop is graciously hosted by the Van Mar Academy of Motion Picture & Television Acting and its owner, legendary "coach to the stars" Ivan Markota, who helped build the careers of many notable film and television stars.

Very special thanks go to Susan Johnston, President of Select Services Films and Susan Johnston Casting, for making this event possible!

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Schedule:

From	To	What
9:00 am	9:30 am	Registration, welcome & preliminaries
9:30 am	11:00 am	Workshop session I with Sandra Schulberg (1.5 hrs)
11:00 am	11:15 am	Networking break (15 min)
11:15 am	12:45 pm	Workshop session II with Sandra Schulberg (1.5 hrs)
12:45 pm	1:30 pm	Lunch & networking break (45 min)
1:30 pm	3:30 pm	Workshop session III with Sandra Schulberg (2 hrs)
3:30 pm	3:45 pm	Networking break (15 min)
3:45 pm	5:15 pm	Workshop session IV with Sandra Schulberg (1.5 hrs)
5:15 pm	5:30 pm	Networking break (15 min)
5:30 pm	6:00 pm	IIFF & FilmAngels briefing with Q&A
6:00+ pm		Community time at area restaurant

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Program Details:

Sessions I & II – Domestic Financing with Sandra Schulberg (bio) »

Combining For-Profit & Nonprofit Monies

• How a movie qualifies for tax-deductible contributions
• Understanding the notion of "mission" under non-profit law
• Appropriate use of a fiscal agent
• Obtaining a PRI, a Program-Related Investment, from a foundation
• Development loans from private individuals

Key Elements of U.S. Investor Offering

• Determining the right financial instrument & when to form it
• What your offering plan tells investors
• Synopsis
• Cast/crew bios
• Chain of title
• Summary of talent agreements (producer/writer/director)
• Production budget & schedule
• Financing plan
• Deal structure (description of investment units for sale & ROI)
• Marketing & distribution plan
• Risk factors & disclaimers

Session III – Foreign Financing with Sandra Schulberg (bio) »

International Co-Production & Co-Financing

• Official "treaty" co-productions
• Non-treaty co-financing
• Tax-driven funds
• Regional economic funds
• The key co-production markets

Foreign Sales & Distribution

• Principles of pre-sale financing
• Selecting & contracting with a foreign sales company
• Structuring foreign sales & foreign distribution agreements
• The role of collection agencies

Session IV – Project-specific Guidance with Sandra Schulberg (bio) »

During the final session of the day, Ms. Schulberg provides specific financing guidance for each Workshop participant's current feature project (whether fiction or non-fiction), applying her sense of the domestic and international opportunities and illustrating how they might be combined where appropriate. This aspect of the Workshop has proved to be extremely useful and popular. It is conducted publicly, so each participant gets customized guidance but also learns from the discussion of the other projects.

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Speaker Bios:

– Sandra Schulberg: Ms. Schulberg started by selling foreign rights to a number of American feature films made in the 1970's, including first features by Richard Pearce ("The Gardener's Son"), Robert Young ("Alambrista"), and Rob Nilsson & John Hanson ("Northern Lights"). That track record enabled her to secure foreign pre-sale and co-production financing during the 1980's for the directors of "Wildrose" (John Hanson) and "Waiting for the Moon" (Jill Godmilow), and to advise and enable numerous other filmmakers. In 1989, she joined the staff of the PBS drama series "American Playhouse" to create its first international financing arm. Over the course of seven years at Playhouse, during which she was promoted to Senior Vice President, she was instrumental in securing over $24 million of production funding for its slate of movies and television dramas. Ms. Schulberg was also responsible for engaging and monitoring the work of the company's international sales agents, and played a key role in the development of the international marketing strategy for each film. When the American Playhouse series was wound down in 1994, she formed her own production company, Schulberg Productions, and secured international financing for Ann Hu's first feature, "Shadow Magic" (acquired by Sony Classics at its Sundance premiere), and for Barbara Kopple's feature-length documentary "My Generation". From 1998 to 2001, she served as executive producer and investment manager for a private German media fund, Hollywood Partners, and structured its financing in a slate of films that included the Oscar-nominated "Quills", starring Geoffrey Rush and Kate Winslet, a co-production with Fox Searchlight; the Miramax release "Undisputed", starring Wesley Snipes and Ving Rhames; Bill Bennett's "In a Savage Land"; as well as "Simon Magus", "The Last Yellow", "I'll Take You There", and several others. All of these films involved multiple international production partners. In 2001, Ms. Schulberg founded Phobos Entertainment Holdings, Inc., and its subsidiary, Phobos Books. The company currently has two feature films in development. In addition to her film financing activities, Ms. Schulberg served as founding director and the driving force behind the creation of the Independent Feature Project (IFP) and the IFP Market, a venue for filmmakers to secure international sales and financing. She was also a co-founder of the indie film distribution company First Run Features.

– Thomas Trenker: A Wall Street investment banker & Silicon Valley startup executive turned independent film financier, Mr. Trenker (LinkedIn profile | full bio) serves as Chairman of the Institute for Int'l Film Financing (IIFF), an innovative, independent social-impact organization that endeavors to bridge the gap between the worlds of filmmaking and finance for the benefit of all stakeholders, including the public at large. IIFF was founded in 2003 and incorporated in California as a not-for-profit, public benefit corporation. Headquartered in San Francisco, IIFF has active chapters in multiple cities across the U.S. and continues to grow and expand rapidly. Mr. Trenker is also Managing Director of FilmAngels, the world's first professional angel investor organization for film. Modeled after the way successful angel groups function in Silicon Valley, and adapted to the unique characteristics of the movie industry, FilmAngels focuses exclusively on the financing of independent films and film-related ventures. FilmAngels was founded by a group of accomplished Silicon Valley professionals with backgrounds in venture capital, investment banking, corporate law, real estate, software, and angel investing. The founding team developed the FilmAngels process and established the FilmAngels organization to address the unfilled need for a structured, highly efficient and, ultimately, more effective environment for the screening and financing of high-risk independent film projects. In addition to his leadership roles at FilmAngels and IIFF, Mr. Trenker organizes a variety of events and initiatives at the junction of filmmaking, entrepreneurship & venture capital. He is always on the lookout for worthwhile and intriguing new indie film projects that are seeking investor financing; don't hesitate to connect with Mr. Trenker via LinkedIn or at an upcoming IIFF meeting.

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Registration:

Online registration is available at http://gla.filmfinancing.org/042008 (top of this page)

Ticket type	IIFF Member	Non-member	Registration deadline
Early bird	$155	$180	April 12
Regular	$170	$195	April 16
Last minute	$185	$210	April 19
On-site (at the door)	$210	$235	April 20

To learn more about membership with IIFF, email our Membership Bureau, or approach an IIFF team member at or after the event.

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Questions?

Please direct all your questions and inquiries regarding this event to IIFF's online forum at http://forum.filmfinancing.org.

Having trouble with Eventbrite (this site), PayPal or Google Checkout? Please get help in IIFF's online forum. (You can also notify us by email well in advance of the event, and register on-site.)

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The Buzz: The following is a sampling of what others are saying about IIFF meetings… "Wow. Last night was great! I want to thank you again for the inspiring work you do. This is such a big need […] and you're truly doing the work of angels (literally and figuratively)." — Brant Smith, Producer, "Quality of Life" "I really must say that I found all speakers very interesting, and I was hanging on their every word. IIFF, the mission and content, seems to be a good fit for me, because it is my dream to run a medium size production house. […] Thank you, BIG THANK YOU […], for inviting me to this very quality and important event." — John Henry, Owner, John Henry Filmworks "Let me again say I think you did a great job putting yesterday's event together — great crowd, smart presentation, lots of enthusiasm." — David Rosen, Convener/Executive Producer, Digital Independence "Wow! For such a moderate investment, so much information. So much good networking. I hope you are proud of the magic you've created with IIFF." — Kevin Morrison, Writer/Director/Producer of independent film & TV "I just wanted to say thanks for another great and informative meeting. The speakers were impressive and I made some good contacts." — Jesse Ford, Founder & Executive Director, Group Hug Productions "IIFF and FilmAngels has really impressed me so far with its focus on the independent film community. I've traveled and interacted with film organizations around the world […]." — Jin Woo Joo, Founder, Cinemasports "Thanks so much for hosting such an interesting program last week. I am always inspired by the creativity, and most recently, by the commitment to 'a better world'. It keeps my cynic's heart at bay! […] again, my heartfelt thanks for your mission and execution. Well done!" — Teri Cundall, Founder & President, Propville.com "The event was great, very helpful." — Marc Perez, Co-President & Founding Partner, Sirk Productions "[…] I greatly enjoyed attending last night's event and found it very informative - certainly something that's been missing in New York so far." — Michael Gunther, Director/Producer, Triboro Pictures "Great presentation tonight. Lots of energetic discussions and questions." — Campbell Dalglish, Prof. of Screenwriting, MFA in Film & Video at CUNY "Thanks so much for tonight's event. It was really inspiring and incredibly informative." — Elizabeth Foley, Founding Faculty Member, Producing Dep't at NYFA "I enjoyed this evening's townhall presentation and found it very informative." — William Doll, Writer/Director, World Stage Pictures "Your Town Hall mtg was stimulating. You managed to attract the right target audience, and I loved your choice of speakers." — Sandra Schulberg, Founder, Independent Feature Project (IFP) "I attended the New York Town Hall Meeting and just wanted to thank you for setting up such an informative colloquium. It was my first IIFF event and I look forward to attending more in the future." — Blythe Frank, Producer, "Kettle of Fish" (Michael Mailer Films) "Thank you again for a wonderful event last night." — Morgan Pehme, Co-founder & CEO, Merlion Entertainment "I'm just writing […] pertaining to the IIFF meeting last night, which I found both entertaining and informative and also promising of great things to come from IIFF in the near future!" — Thomas Woodrow, Producer, Furnace Films "I attended the IIFF town hall last week in New York and came away impressed. Thank you for putting together such an excellent panel of speakers. I found [Mr. Trenker's] presentation especially useful. As a former quant at Putnam Investments, I tend to dig into the numbers and [Mr. Trenker's] analysis was illuminating." — Robert Milacci, Executive Producer, Sinestra Pictures "I very much enjoyed the seminar last Saturday in Stowe, VT. It was a lot of driving in one day (3.25 hrs. each way…), but worth it. […] Thanks again for a very enlightening day." — Marjorie Short, Oscar-nominated Writer/Producer/Director, Short Productions "Just a note to say Larry Meistrich had a good time last night and was impressed with the quality of the group." — Jeff Silverstein, President of NEHST Access + Learning, NEHST Studios "As it turns out, my producing partner [producer/director Leszek Burzynski] attended your IIFF meeting in Santa Monica on July 16. He was quite impressed with the presentations." — Terrance Sweeney, Partner & Producer, Winning Team Studios "I just wanted to say thanks again for putting on such a great forum last night. […] I really enjoyed the occasion and especially the presentations. They were extremely relevant and really strong, credible presenters." — Gordon Clark, CEO, The Movie Portfolio Fund "First, I wanted to say how much I really enjoyed your premier IIFF/LA seminar…!" — Frank Sacks, Founder & Principal, The Frank Sacks Company "I had a very enjoyable experience. The seminar was extremely professional and well put together." — Adam Tantleff, Founder, President & Executive Producer, Sinestra Pictures "THANKS […] There are no organizations or groups that I have come across that are doing what you and Film Angels are doing." — J. Martin, Co-Owner, 24 Bros Entertainment "I cannot express enough gratitude toward the great job that you are doing to help talented filmmakers realize their dreams. God bless you!" — Mara Vardanyan, Producer, Roman Pictures "Your seminars are FIRST RATE!" — Rowan Joseph, President, Greenwood Hill Productions "Thanks for organizing a great event. I thought it was a very interesting group of speakers." — Tricia van Klaveren, Producer/Exec. Producer & Principal, Fully Loaded Pictures "[T]hank you for a terrific meeting last night…" — Greg Lejnieks, Actor/Filmmaker, Art Dealer & fmr. Pro Soccer Player "First of all, thank you for hosting the Film Financing seminar. Very, very informative. I hope you have another one very soon." — Richard Beaty, Writer/Producer/Director & Co-Owner, Cielo Azul Films "Just wanted to say 'thank you' for last night's IIFF meeting. […] The slides look great […]. I look forward to the next meeting." — Robert Pratten, Founder & Writer/Director, Zen Films "I'm a big fan of all you're doing with IIFF… very inspiring to filmmakers." — Thomas Mignone, Director/Writer, DOOM Incorporated "Thank you for hosting the [Workshop] last week. It was very informative and [the instructor] was spectacular. I learned a lot and met several fantastic people." — Lisa McTigue, Producer/Director, Three Masked Peeps Productions "Thank you for inviting us to present to your [FilmAngels] groups in both Palo Alto and San Francisco. The attendees were warm and educated investors. You've done a terrific job gathering people with a passion for film." — Julie Richardson, Managing Member, Genre Film Partners; Producer, "Collateral" (Cruise, Foxx) Would you like to speak out? We want to hear from you! Send us your comments by email.

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Copyright © 2008 Institute for Int'l Film Financing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Sunday, April 20, 2008 from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (PT)

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Van Mar Academy
7080 Hollywood Boulevard
Suite #314 - 3rd floor
Los Angeles, CA 90028

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IIFF Greater Los Angeles

The Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) is an innovative, independent social-impact organization that endeavors to bridge the gap between the worlds of filmmaking and finance for the benefit of all stakeholders — including the public at large.

IIFF was founded by Thomas Trenker in 2003 and incorporated in California as a not-for-profit, public benefit corporation. Headquartered in San Francisco, IIFF currently has chapters in the SF Bay Area, New York City, New England, Florida, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and London.

Help us expand further, or join our online community at http://forum.filmfinancing.org to keep in touch with a growing number of filmmakers and financiers!

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