Learn how to obtain finance to get independent films made, distributed and marketed in challenging economic times

Benefits of Attending

• Access to and information from the most senior players in the industry at the top of their professions
• Significant networking opportunities amongst the top professionals and financiers in the film business today
• Expanded session on the U.S. state, federal and international tax credits and incentives for film and TV production
• The role of banks and specialized finance companies in providing financing for film production
• How talent agencies can help package films for financing and distribution
• Ways to generate financial support for films utilizing brand integration and product placement
• Understand how sales agents and distributors can generate the domestic and foreign distribution you need to make your film a success
• Understand how to utilize new digital platforms for distributing media content into the home and onto hand held devices
• Networking opportunities and much more

Educational Course Credit — Up to 12 CPE / CLE Credits Available

Substitutions/Cancellations

Cancellations received more than 72 business hours prior to the meeting will be issued a credit. A $350 fee will apply to cancellations received within 72 business hours of the event. No credit card or cash refunds will be issued at any time. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact us at 1-914-328-5656, or e-mail info@citeusa.org. Credits will not be issued for "no shows"

Meetings held at conference centers with local hotel recommendations do NOT have rooms blocked

Monday, September 27th

12:00 pm Summit Registration and box lunch

12:45 pm Welcome and introductory comments

1:00 pm “Financing an Independent Feature Film” - A Case Study - Taking a single film through rights, finance and distribution                     

• Securing project rights
• Putting together an effective team
• Creating an effective package(and/or business plan)
• Strategies for attaching talent
• Doing deals-Meetings in LA, and attending festivals and world markets (Cannes/Toronto/Berlin) to attract funding and distribution-How to use effectively
• Structuring  funding –Equity, pre-sales & MGs, tax credit funding, Gap, branding and Distribution
• Distribution, marketing and use of a foreign sales agent
• Other revenue sources-ancillary rights exploitation: What are they worth
• How do producers and above the line get paid
• Planning for self distribution-US theatrical, broadcasting, DVD and international rights

2:30 pm Refreshment break

2:45 pm Soft Money Incentives –Two 1.25 hour panels on domestic and film finance credits and incentives

• Where are the current hot spots
• What are the Incentives and how much money can you really count on
• How do you monetize Incentives
• Transferrable vs. refundable tax credits
• Banks, brokers and Investors – When do soft incentives become available in the finance structure
• Bonds and Letters of Credit to secure tax credit financing
• Banking soft Incentives
• What locations should you be wary of going to and why
• transferable tax credits, subsidies and grants to get your project financed
• Qualifying EU Content
• International Co-production incentives (passport holders) vs. Soft Money anyone can access when producing locally – What you need to know

4:00 PM International Panel

5:15pm Q&A

5:30 pm Cocktail networking reception Sponsored by Sheppard Mullin

Tuesday, September 28th

8:00 am Continental Breakfast

8:45 am Summit Welcome & Keynote speaker

9:00 am Banks, Other Lenders and Equity - State of the Film Finance Market

• Which banks and other lenders are actively lending on presales, tax credits and gap
• What conditions need to be met to obtain financing
• What conditions need to be met to get equity investments - and who is investing
• What has changed in production lending?
• Are there any hedge funds or venture capital firms still in the game
• Films as a Commodity – Is this the new investment vehicle for investors and how does it work
• Closing the loan - documentary requirements

10:00 am  Working with Talent Agencies and Casting Agents to Package & Finance Your Film

• Do you need to have representation already to work with an agency?
• What are the agencies looking for?
• How do agencies package a film and when do they get paid and by whom?
• How do you choose and hire a casting agent
• What do casting agents do and how much do they get paid?
• Do you need to pay talent up front (pay or play) on independent films?
• How do you get a letter of interest from talent?
• Can agencies help get an experienced director on board
• When should I approach a manager rather than an agent

11:00 am  Break for Refreshments

11:15 am  Structuring a Financing Plan for a Scripted TV

• How does a television series get greenlit today
• Where does the funding come from for television series
• Does Soft Money Matter?
• Who are the producers on scripted TV Series and who employs them
• How does an independent producer get a scripted television series considered
• Network vs. Cable – Who is making original content
• MOWs vs. Mini Series vs. TV Series
• What are the world Markets for TV and Who Should Attend

12:00 pm Summary & Q&A

12:15 pm Luncheon- Key Note Speaker

1:30 pm Latest Developments in New and Emerging Digital Distribution Platforms and Technology

• TV programs and films on demand-successful applications
• What is the impact of 3D on production and distribution of independent films
• New technologies utilizing hand held devices
• Business models utilized
• Downloads to computers-Comparing the different models
• Film financing opportunities utilizing digital distribution
• How independent film makers can tap into digital distribution
• New technologies that will  affect the industry

2:30 pm   Update on Federal Tax Incentives, Credits, Accounting & Tax Issues in Relation to Film Industry- From a Studio’s Perspective

• Status and utilization of Sec. 181 & Sec. 199
• New tax legislation affecting the film industry
• Maximizing Production Spend in tax benefit locations
• Working with Experienced Line Producers
• Required Audits and Working with Auditors to File and Fulfill Tax Credit Requirements
• Accounting rules in regard to film amortization and abandoned projects
• Understanding the Sec. 167G cost recovery system
• Variable interest entity accounting
• Library valuation issues
• Federal issues in relation to state film tax incentives

3:30pm     Break for Refreshments

3:45pm     Working with Sales Agents and Distributors to Finance an Independent Film

• When do you start talking to distributors?
• Presales and Minimum Guarantees – When does a distributor start selling a film?
• Do distributors also produce films, and when does this make sense.
• Casting and Distributor input to the process
• Exhibitors – How do exhibitors determine what films to add
• How do producers self-distribute their films and get them into theatres
• What is the importance of film festivals in today’s changing market

4:45pm     Brands and Entertainment — Working together for mutual (and maximum) success (How Brand Integration and Product Placement can Generate Funds to Develop or Market a Film)

• What comes first - The brand or the idea?
• How can funds be generated from brand integration
• Is production funding available or just P&A support
• Examples of successful brand integration in films and television
• Can a line drawn between brand message and creative integrity
• Corporate brands most active in product placement
• Legal issues in structuring a brand integration or product placement deal
• How are these deals arranged
  

5:30pm      Conference Ends

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