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IIFF Los Angeles Townhall Meeting (October 2007)
Featuring Cassian Elwes, Co-Head of William Morris Independent

Sunday, October 28, 2007 from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM (PT)

Santa Monica, CA

IIFF Los Angeles Townhall Meeting (October 2007)  Featuring...

Ticket Information

Ticket Type Sales End Price Fee Quantity
IIFF Member Ended $35.00 $0.99
Non-member Ended $50.00 $1.25
IIFF Member: Last minute Ended $45.00 $1.12
Non-member: Last minute Ended $60.00 $1.50
IIFF Member: On-site Ended $55.00 $1.38
Non-member: On-site Ended $70.00 $1.75
*** IIFF Associate Membership (1 year) ***   more info Ended $99.00 $2.48
*** IIFF Full Membership (1 year) ***   more info Ended $199.00 $4.98

Event Details

Abstract:

After a sold-out chapter première in July and full houses in August and September, the Los Angeles chapter of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) continues its popular, monthly gatherings at the junction of film and finance with another special Townhall Meeting in Santa Monica's Bergamot Station complex. IIFF's friends at Writers Boot Camp are again making their state-of-the-art facilities available for our event.

This "grassroots" community get-together builds upon IIFF's successful L.A. launch, and further introduces the organization and its unique approach to the Greater Los Angeles Area's community of filmmakers, entrepreneurs and financiers – as well as the public at large. Our goal for this and future meetings is not only to provide unbiased insight & education about the business of film but also to foster & inform productive relationships between attending professionals. The event features a powerful roster of highly topical speakers from the worlds of film and finance. We are delighted to again welcome real-world financiers among our guests for the evening!

IIFF's one-of-a-kind mission is to sustainably expand the scope & appeal of film financing, and to do so for the benefit of the public at large. True to our proven motto of "democratizing film financing," IIFF's regular, monthly Townhall Meetings bring together a wide array of professionals from relevant backgrounds in film, finance and beyond for a vibrant evening of insightful presentations and speeches, inspiring discussion and focused networking. Past meetings (e.g.: October '07 New England Townhall in Boston, MA | September '07 Los Angeles Townhall in Santa Monica, CA & September '07 New England Townhall in Norwalk, CT | August '07 Los Angeles Townhall in Santa Monica, CA & August '07 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan | July '07 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan & July '07 Los Angeles Townhall in Santa Monica, CA | June '07 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan | May '07 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan & May '07 Bay Area Townhall in Mountain View, CA | April '07 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan & April '07 Bay Area Townhall in San Francisco, CA | March '07 New England Townhall in Stowe, VT, March '07 Bay Area Townhall in San Rafael, CA & March '07 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan | February '07 Townhall West in San Francisco, CA & February '07 Townhall East in New York City | January '07 Townhall in Santa Cruz, CA | December '06 Townhall East in New York City & December '06 Townhall West in San Francisco, CA | October '06 Townhall in New York City | September '06 Townhall in Oakland, CA | July '06 Townhall in Palo Alto, CA | June '06 Townhall in San José, CA | May '06 Townhall in San Francisco, CA | April '06 Townhall at Stanford business school) have reliably delivered useful insights into the business of film, provided valuable networking opportunities, and managed to draw large and enthusiastic crowds.

Who should attend? Entrepreneurs, technologists, attorneys, bankers, investment managers, venture capitalists and other non-film professionals are cordially invited to learn more about independent film. Are you considering taking an active role in film or would you like to expand your current involvement? Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the like-minded… Established and aspiring filmmakers are, naturally, more than welcome to join us as well!

The evening's five seven presentations plus panel discussion will address key issues relevant to filmmakers, financiers, and anyone interested in the economics, business mechanics, and financial dynamics of film. They will be followed by Q&A time. Attendees will also have ample opportunity to interact & network with our distinguished presenters and panelists and amongst themselves.

An informal après-meeting celebration will take place at an area restaurant.

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Featured Moderator:

The event will be moderated by Hal "Corky" Kessler, Esq. (bio), a highly regarded expert on the business and legal aspects of feature film development and tax incentives who successfully worked with governors and Members of Congress on new laws and tax incentives for film and TV investments. Mr. Kessler has represented, developed, packaged and/or executive produced numerous movies, theater and TV projects. He has served as Executive Producer on features such as "Certifiably Jonathan" (starring Robin Williams, Rob Reiner and Jim Carrey) and "The Sum of Us" (Russell Crowe). Mr. Kessler is also active in establishing and advising various film funds and film funding sources in North America. Moreover, he teaches entertainment law as an Adjunct Professor at John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL.

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Meeting Venue:

Writers Boot Camp (WBC)
Bergamot Station Arts Center
2525 Michigan Avenue, Building I
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Map: Get a map of WBC at Bergamot Station from Ask, Google, MapQuest, MSN, Windows Live or Yahoo. Alternatively, see the map on WBC's website.

Driving directions: Our venue is conveniently located in Santa Monica. It can be easily reached from nearby Santa Monica Freeway (I-10). Please find detailed directions to WBC at Bergamot Station on our host's website. Personalized driving directions can be obtained from the above-listed online mapping services; simply follow the link of your choice and enter your start address where required.

Our Host:

This month's Townhall Meeting is again graciously hosted by Writers Boot Camp (WBC), a leading screenwriting workshop and career development program headquartered in Los Angeles.

Here's a message and complimentary offer from our friends at Writers Boot Camp:

"We're happy to be a sponsor of the Institute for International Film Financing. As a way to initiate our alliance and support you, the filmmaker, Writers Boot Camp is offering free creative support to any filmmaker/writer/producer who responds before October 30th. What that means is that this offer entitles you to a half-hour creative conversation with our Development Staff about your film project, regardless of the development stage. We want to talk to you about your idea, treatment, outline, rough draft or finished script in order to help you better understand the necessary stages of maturation and how to achieve a professional level of development before you start shooting.

Who? Writers Boot Camp has taught thousands of writers the craft and business of screenwriting, changing lives forever and helping launch some impressive careers. Our alumni have found work on countless network television shows and made deals for feature films with virtually every major studio. We know that the creative life is generally a gamble. The additional risk in the business of screenwriting is that from the outside things look a lot simpler than the reality of sitting down to write, translating your ideas, refining your work and ideas professionally, and circulating your product. Even once you're lucky enough to see your material produced, there are no guarantees of ongoing success.

So What? So we're offering you free creative support.

Where? Here, at Writers Boot Camp!

When? As soon as possible. Availability is limited and the complimentary offer expires on October 30th, 2007.

How? Just click on this link and fill out the requested information. One of our staff members will be in contact with you in the next 48 hours.

Why? Because it's free support from an industry leader, silly!"

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Schedule:

4:30-5:00 pm ... Registration, welcome and introductions
5:00-6:20 pm ... Four featured presentations with Q&A (4x 20 min)
6:20-6:30 pm ... Networking break I (10 min)
6:30-7:30 pm ... Three featured presentations with Q&A (3x 20 min)
7:30-7:45 pm ... Networking break II (15 min)
7:45-8:30 pm ... Moderated panel discussion with Q&A (45 min)
8:30+ pm ... Community time at area restaurant

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Program Details:

1) The Power of Packaging: A Discussion on Film Financing From an Agent's Perspective

— by Cassian Elwes (bio), leading talent agent in independent film; Sr. VP & Co-Head at William Morris Independent (WMi), leading agency in indie film business & division of prestigious William Morris Agency (WMA), world's largest diversified talent & literary agency; helped indies go mainstream on 1,000's of screens, grossing $100's of millions domestically & internationally; worked on Oscar winner "The English Patient", Billy Bob Thornton's "Sling Blade" (Oscar for Best Original Screenplay), Robert Duvall's "The Apostle" (3 Independent Spirit Awards), etc.; involved in sale of Jason Reitman's "Thank You for Smoking", Gus Van Sant's "Paranoid Park", Ryan Fleck's "Half Nelson", David Ayer's "Harsh Times", etc.; among foremost indie producers of 1980's & early 90's with 30 credited features; Producer of John McTiernan's "Nomads", Donald Cammell's "White of the Eye", "Jack's Back" (starring James Spader), "Men at Work" (Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen), "Leather Jackets" (Cary Elwes, Bridget Fonda), "The Chase" (Charlie Sheen), "Frank and Jesse" (Rob Lowe, Bill Paxton), etc.; in 2005 alone, WMi helped finance & distribute 30+ films incl. "Pulp Fiction", "The English Patient", "Sling Blade", "Diary of a Mad Black Woman", "Soul Food", "The Apostle", "Breakfast of Champions", "The Whole Nine Yards", "Happy, Texas", "Saving Grace", "The Woodsman" & "Monsters Ball" (Oscar for Halle Berry); clients include Sundance Grand Jury winners such as 2003's "Primer", 2001's "The Believer", 2000's "You Can Count on Me", 1999's "Three Seasons" & 1998's "Hurricane Streets" … (more)

2) Financing Independent Film: Short on Equity, Long on Sense

— by Bianca Bezdek (bio), seasoned attorney with years of experience in film finance, entertainment law & intellectual property (IP); Founder & Principal at bi-coastal boutique entertainment law practice Bezdek Law, focusing on feature film & TV development, financing, production, distribution & related IP matters, incl. state & federal tax incentives, rebates, grants & deductions; clients included Paramount, New Line, Universal, Miramax, Warner Bros, Endemol, Fallbrook Credit Finance & independent producers; advised on structuring & allocation of $1+ billion in private equity (incl. 1 "Harry Potter" & 2 "Lara Croft" movies, "The Core", "The Fighting Temptations", "Marci X", "Looney Tunes Back in Action!", "Malibu's Most Wanted", "Paycheck", etc.); Adjunct Professor at NYU & UCLA; fmr. attorney at top global & "magic circle" law firms Linklaters LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in Prague, Berlin & London; gained hands-on experience in entertainment industry by working in development and production … (more)

3) Film Investments From an Investor's Point of View: What Investors Look for in Deciding Whether to Bankroll a Movie

— by Mark Litwak (bio), leading entertainment attorney (with 30 years experience) & producer's rep based in Beverly Hills who has worked on 200+ movies; provides legal services and assists filmmakers in arranging financing, marketing & distribution; clients had award-winning films in Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Telluride & other festivals (e.g., "Hustle & Flow", "DeNadie", "The Matador", "Padre Nuestro", "Fido", "MugShot" & "Screen Door Jesus"); other high-profile clients include "Black Snake Moan", "Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School", "The Ten" & "Expired"; author of 6 books incl. "Dealmaking in the Film & Television Industry", "Contracts for the Film & Television Industry" & "Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Independent Film"; named Southern California Super Lawyer by Law & Politics magazine; law professor at UWLA, Loyola, Puget Sound & UCLA Extension (for 19 years) … (more)

4) The Impact of New Media on Motion Picture Finance: Harnessing Web 2.0 to Get Your Film Funded

— by Daniel Tibbets (bio), Exec. VP & Studio Chief at GoTV Networks, first made-for-mobile TV network & studio group; in charge of creating GoTV's on-demand TV programming customized to mobile experience; previously spent 16 years at vortex of entertainment industry, holding several senior executive roles in production & development for CBS, Fireworks Television, Papazian-Hirsch Entertainment, Twentieth Television, etc.; ran FOXLAB at Twentieth Television, co-creating & developing first ever original content "mobisodes" ("Love and Hate", "Sunset Hotel"); developed first convergence program to air on broadcast TV; credited with development & sale of HBO series "Rome"; graduated from Arizona State U. with BS in Marketing … (more)

5) Banking Agreements for Film: Alternative Financing Structures & Soft Money Transactions

— by Randy Mendelsohn (bio), President & CEO at financing boutique Atomic Finance & Capital; Founder & Principal at full-service transactional entertainment law firm Mendelsohn Law Office, specializing in high-level, complex entertainment, banking, business & int'l law with emphasis on movie & TV finance, production, distribution & talent agreements; clients include financiers, distributors (foreign & domestic), TV broadcasters, production co's, foreign sales agents, management co's, actors, rights holders, writers, directors & producers in US & Europe; arranges financing for various business projects in entertainment (movie & TV production, acquisition and P&A for theatrical release) as well as other industries (hospitals, schools, sports venues, casinos & real estate ventures); extensive experience in film financing, having represented banks/funds/investors providing funding for 100+ motion pictures; internationally featured speaker at entertainment industry & film financing panels/symposiums in Los Angeles, Cannes, Park City, San Juan & Warsaw … (more)

6) Harnessing Word-of-Mouth for Profit: Successfully Targeting Niche Markets

— by John Raatz (bio), public relations & marketing guru behind success of such indie surprise hits as "What the Bleep Do We Know!?"; Founder & CEO at LA-based PR company The Visioneering Group (TVG); clients include leading authors, books, films & musical projects in transformational Cultural Creatives movement (e.g., "Baraka," "Mindwalk," "A Brief History of Time," Eckhart Tolle, Fritjof Capra, Peter Russell, Chellis Glendinning, Dead Can Dance, Donovan, Deepak Chopra, Madonna); fmr. personal manager/agent representing high-profile celebrity actors & musicians; previously, successful stockbroker, major exec. at PR agency, pro blues-rock guitarist, administrator of top forward-looking holistic health clinic, etc.; served on Grammy screening committee, Blue Ribbon panel of Int'l Assoc. of Business Communicators' Gold Quill Awards, jury of LA's Inspiration Film Festival … (more)

7) Tax Incentives & Runaway Productions: Myth, Reality & What It All Means for Indies

— by Hal Kessler (bio), highly regarded expert on business & legal aspects of feature film development & tax incentives; successfully worked with Governors & Congressmen implementing new laws & federal tax incentives for film & TV investments (led to Sections 181 & 199 of American Jobs Creation Act of 2004); authored reference book covering such federal & state tax incentives; built winning teams for 30+ entertainment & other business ventures; represented, developed, packaged and/or executive produced numerous feature films, theater & TV projects; Executive Producer on features "Certifiably Jonathan" (Robin Williams, Rob Reiner, Jim Carrey, Dana Carvey, Lili Tomlin, Sara Silverman), Australian Academy Award winner "The Sum of Us" (Russell Crowe), "Finding North", "Sacrifices", etc.; active in establishing & advising film funds & film funding sources; Adjunct Professor at John Marshall Law School, teaching entertainment law; previously developed & taught similar course at Columbia College; speaker at many film seminars & festivals in US & Canada; expertise in corporate matters earned him seat on Illinois panel to recommend amendments to the Illinois Limited Liability Company Act; litigated 200+ cases, incl. 50+ jury trials … (more)

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Speaker Bios:

Cassian Elwes: As Sr. Vice President & Co-Head of William Morris Independent, the indie division of the prestigious William Morris Agency (WMA), Mr. Elwes is one of the leading talent agents in the business of independent filmmaking. He has helped independent films cross over from the art house to the main house -- going mainstream on 1,000's of screens across the country and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in grosses, domestically and internationally. Mr. Elwes has worked on projects such as Oscar winning film, "The English Patient", helping bring it to fruition before going on to gross over $75MM. The same can be said of the pet projects of Billy Bob Thornton ("Sling Blade") and Robert Duvall ("The Apostle"). Thornton went on to win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay that year while Duvall swept the Independent Spirit Awards. William Morris Independent's clients represent the creative forces behind Sundance Film Festival's Grand Jury winners such as 2003's "Primer," 2001's "The Believer", 2000's "You Can Count on Me," 1999's "Three Seasons" and 1998's "Hurricane Streets". At recent festivals, Mr. Elwes was involved in the sale of very high profile films including Jason Reitman's "Thank You for Smoking," Gus Van Sant's "Paranoid Park," Ryan Fleck's "Half Nelson," and David Ayer's "Harsh Times." Mr. Elwes began his career producing the 1983 film "Oxford Blues" starring Rob Lowe and Ally Sheedy. In the 1980's and early 1990's, he became one of the foremost independent producers with 30 features to his credit including: John McTiernan's "Nomads," Donald Cammell's "White of the Eye," "Jack's Back" starring James Spader, "Men at Work" with Emilio Estevez & Charlie Sheen, "Leather Jackets" starring Cary Elwes & Bridget Fonda, "The Chase" with Charlie Sheen, and "Frank and Jesse" with Rob Lowe & Bill Paxton. In 1994, Mr. Elwes joined the William Morris Agency's motion picture division. His relationships within the talent, production, financial and distribution communities have become invaluable resources in helping to set up films. William Morris Independent has become the leading agency in the independent film business. In 2005 alone, it was involved in the financing and distribution of over 30 films, including such commercial and critical successes as "Pulp Fiction," "The English Patient," "Sling Blade," "Diary of a Mad Black Woman," "Soul Food," "The Apostle," "Breakfast of Champions," " The Whole Nine Yards," "Happy, Texas," "Saving Grace," "The Woodsman" and "Monsters Ball" which won the Academy Award for Halle Berry.

Bianca Bezdek: Ms. Bezdek is a member of the New York Bar Association and a Foreign Registered Advocate within the European Union. She has years of experience in film finance, entertainment law and intellectual property, having worked in development and production prior to practicing law. Ms. Bezdek was an attorney at leading global law firms Linklaters LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in Prague, Berlin and London before founding her own practice in New York, Bezdek Law, focusing solely on feature film and television production, finance, distribution and related intellectual property matters. Bezdek Law advises on a broad array of issues including the optioning and acquisition of intellectual property rights, the engagement of 'for hire' writing services, the negotiation of actor, director and producer deals, the engagement of below-the-line professionals, insurance and completion bonds, production services agreements, co-production agreements, private equity placement, foreign sales agreements, distribution and merchandising agreements, first and second look deals, as well as unique development arrangements. Clients have included Paramount, New Line, Universal, Miramax, Warner Bros. Pictures, Endemol Group BV, Fallbrook Credit Finance and an array of independent producers for whom she has advised the structuring and allocation of over $1 billion (including "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider", "Lara Croft: The Cradle of Life", "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", "The Core", "The Fighting Temptations", "Marci X", "Looney Tunes Back in Action!", "Malibu's Most Wanted", "Paycheck", among others). Ms. Bezdek is also an Adjunct Professor of film finance at New York University (NYU) and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).

Mark Litwak: Mr. Litwak is a leading entertainment attorney based in Beverly Hills, CA. He has provided legal services or worked as a rep on more than 200 motion pictures. His practice includes work in the areas of copyright, trademark, contract, multimedia law, intellectual property, and book publishing. As a Producer's Representative, he assists filmmakers in arranging financing, marketing and distribution of their films. His filmmaker clients have had award-winning films in Cannes, Toronto, Telluride and other festivals. Mr. Litwak is the author of six books: "Reel Power, The Struggle for Influence and Success in the New Hollywood" (William Morrow, 1986), "Courtroom Crusaders" (William Morrow, 1989), "Dealmaking in the Film & Television Industry" (Silman-James Press, 1994) which won the 1996 Krazna-Kranz award for best book in the world on the film business, "Contracts for the Film & Television Industry" (Silman-James Press, 2nd Ed., 1999), "Litwak's Multimedia Producer's Handbook" (Silman-James Press, 1998) and "Risky Business: Financing and Distributing Independent Film" (Silman-James Press, 2004). He has contributed articles for The Los Angeles Times, The Business of Film, The Hollywood Reporter, Moviemaker and The Independent. Moreover, he is the creator of the popular CD-ROM program Movie Magic Contracts. Mr. Litwak has been a lawyer for 30 years. He has an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer by Law & Politics magazine in 2006 and 2007. His firm has represented filmmakers who have produced award-winning films such as "Hustle & Flow" (Audience Award, Sundance), winners of top prizes at the Hampton's International Film Festival ("Unconditional Love", "Mugshot", "Screen Door Jesus"), and "DeNadie" (winner World Cinema Documentary Audience Award, Sundance). During Sundance 2005, three clients had films acquired for distribution: "Hustle & Flow", "The Matador" and "Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School". Five clients had films exhibited during Sundance 2007: "Black Snake Moan", "The Ten", "Padre Nuestro", "Expired" and "Fido". As a law professor, he has taught such subjects as entertainment law, copyright, torts and worker's compensation at such institutions as UWLA, Loyola Law School and the University of Puget Sound School of Law. He has taught entertainment law courses at UCLA Extension for 19 years. Mr. Litwak has lectured for continuing legal educations programs of the American Bar Association as well as programs offered by the California and Texas state bar associations. A frequent speaker, he has presented seminars across the US, and in England, Australia, South Africa and Canada including presentations for the American Film Institute, Columbia University, NYU, USC, the University of British Columbia and the Royal College of Art in London.

Daniel Tibbets: Mr. Tibbets is the Executive Vice President & Studio Chief of GoTV Networks, the first made-for-mobile television network and studio group. He is in charge of the creation of on-demand television programming customized to the mobile experience. Prior to joining GoTV, he spent 16 years at the vortex of the entertainment industry and has held several senior executive roles in production and development for companies such as CBS Enterprises, Fireworks Television, Inc., Papazian-Hirsch Entertainment, and Twentieth Television. At Twentieth Television, Mr. Tibbets ran FOXLAB, Inc. where he co-created and developed the first ever original content "mobisodes" (a term he coined) which launched in February 2005: "Love and Hate" and "Sunset Hotel". Mr. Tibbets also developed the first convergence program to air on broadcast television at FOXLAB and is credited with the development and sale of the HBO series "Rome" from his work at Papazian-Hirsch. He graduated from Arizona State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing with an emphasis in international marketing and business.

Randy Mendelsohn: Mr. Mendelsohn is the President/CEO of financing boutique Atomic Finance & Capital as well as the Mendelsohn Law Office, a full-service transactional entertainment law firm that specializes in high-level, complex entertainment, banking, business and international law with a particular emphasis on motion picture and television finance, production, distribution and talent agreements. Throughout his legal career, Mr. Mendelsohn has developed a practice specializing in the structuring, negotiating, strategizing and documenting of all types of transactions pertaining to the entertainment industry on behalf of financiers, distributors (both foreign and domestic), television broadcasters, production companies, foreign sales companies, management companies, actors, rights holders, writers, directors and producers in the US and Europe. Mr. Mendelsohn has formed Atomic Finance & Capital to make use of his vast resources and relationships in a non-legal context with applications inside and outside of the entertainment business. With the help of strategic partners, he has arranged financing for various business projects including projects related to the entertainment business (motion picture and television production, acquisition and prints and advertisements for theatrical release) and others outside of the entertainment business (hospitals, schools, sports venues, casinos and the construction of various real estate projects). Mr. Mendelsohn has extensive experience in film financing, having represented banks/funds/investors providing funding for 100+ motion pictures. He has also been an internationally featured speaker at entertainment industry and film financing panels and symposiums for the Beverly Hills Bar Association and in Los Angeles, Cannes, Park City, San Juan and Warsaw.

John Raatz: Acclaimed public relations & marketing guru behind success of such indie surprise hits as "What the Bleep Do We Know!?"; Founder & CEO at Los Angeles-based PR company The Visioneering Group (TVG); clients include many leading authors, books, films & musical projects in the transformational Cultural Creatives movement (e.g., "Baraka," "Mindwalk," "A Brief History of Time," Eckhart Tolle, Fritjof Capra, Peter Russell, Chellis Glendinning, Dead Can Dance, Donovan, Deepak Chopra, Madonna); fmr. personal manager/agent in entertainment industry, representing high-profile celebrity actors & musicians; previously, successful stockbroker, major executive at PR agency, professional blues/rock guitarist, publisher of leading-edge newsletter & administrator of one of Southern California's most forward-looking holistic health clinics; served on Grammy screening committee, Blue Ribbon panel of International Association of Business Communicators' Gold Quill Awards, jury of Inspiration Film Festival in Los Angeles, etc.

Hal "Corky" Kessler: Mr. Kessler is a highly regarded expert on the business and legal aspects of feature film development and tax incentives in connection with the entertainment industry. He has successfully worked with governors and United States Congressmen in several states to implement new laws and federal tax incentives for investments in qualifying film and television projects, which led to Sections 181 and 199 of The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004; and he has authored a reference book covering such federal and state tax incentives. Mr. Kessler has also assembled and built winning teams for more than 30 entertainment and other business ventures. He has represented, developed, packaged and/or executive produced numerous feature films, theatre projects and television projects. He has served as Executive Producer on such features as "Certifiably Jonathan" (starring Jonathan Winters, Robin Williams, Howie Mandel, Rob Reiner, Martin Mull, Jim Carrey, Dana Carvey, Lili Tomlin, Sara Silverman, Bonnie Hunt and others), Australian Academy Award winner "The Sum of Us" (Russell Crowe, Jack Thompson) which was distributed by The Samuel Goldwyn Co., "Finding North" (screenplay by Kim Powers), and "Sacrifices" (screenplay by Edward Seaton). Moreover, he is active in establishing and advising various film funds and film funding sources in North America. Mr. Kessler has been active and instrumental in conducting "Biz Sessions", a seminar dealing with the business and legal aspects of feature film development. An Adjunct Professor at John Marshall Law School, he teaches entertainment law, and previously developed a syllabus for and taught a similar course at Columbia College in its Film Department. Mr. Kessler has been a panel member and speaker at many film seminars and festivals in the US and Canada. He has written articles for Screen Magazine and other film and entertainment magazines and periodicals. His expertise in corporate matters earned him a seat on the Illinois panel to recommend amendments to the Illinois Limited Liability Company Act. In addition, during the course of his career, Mr. Kessler has litigated over 200 cases, including over 50 jury trials.

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Registration:

Online registration is available at http://events.filmfinancing.org/gla/?id=102807 (top of this page)

Early bird registration NLT Saturday, October 13:
IIFF Member ... $25 if registered online no later than 10/13
Non-member ... $40

Regular registration NLT Saturday, October 20:
IIFF Member ... $35 if registered online no later than 10/20
Non-member ... $50

Last minute registration NLT Saturday, October 27:
IIFF Member ... $45 if registered online no later than 10/27
Non-member ... $60

On-site registration (at the door):
IIFF Member ... $55
Non-member ... $70

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

Would you like to speak out? We want to hear from you! Send us your comments by email.

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Copyright © 2007 Institute for Int'l Film Financing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

When & Where



Writers Boot Camp
2525 Michigan Avenue
Building I at Bergamot Station
Santa Monica, CA 90404

Sunday, October 28, 2007 from 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM (PT)


  Add to my calendar

Hosted By

Institute for Int'l Film Financing (IIFF)



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.

Founded by Thomas Trenker in 2003 and headquartered in San Francisco, IIFF has chapters in the Bay Area, New York City, New England, Florida, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, London, the Pacific Northwest and the Lower Midwest.

Help launch or run an IIFF chapter in your area! We make it easy and worthwhile. Email the chapter development team and tell us about yourself. Or join our online community at http://forum.filmfinancing.org to keep in touch with a growing number of filmmakers and financiers.