Contact IIFF San Francisco Bay Area for event and ticket information.
Thursday, July 31, 2008 from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (PT)
The Bay Area chapter of the Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) continues its popular monthly gatherings at the junction of film & finance with another special Townhall Meeting in San Francisco. Our friends at Academy of Art University are again hosting us at their new facilities in the City's SoMa district, conveniently located just a short walk from SF Caltrain Station at 4th & King.
This "grassroots" community get-together is designed to foster & inform productive relationships between attending professionals and to provide unbiased insight & education about the business of film (and film financing in particular). The event features a powerful roster of highly topical speakers from the filmmaking and financial industries. We are delighted to once 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 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.: January '08 Bay Area Townhall in San Francisco, CA, January '08 Los Angeles Townhall in Venice, CA & January '08 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan | December '07 Bay Area Townhall in San Francisco, CA, December '07 Los Angeles Townhall in Santa Monica, CA, December '07 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan & December '07 New England Townhall in Providence, RI | November '07 Bay Area Townhall in San Francisco, CA & November '07 New England Townhall in Norwalk, CT | October '07 Los Angeles Townhall in Santa Monica, CA, October '07 New York Metro Townhall in Manhattan & 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 six 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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The event will be moderated by Thomas Trenker (LinkedIn profile | full bio | brief bio) who founded the Institute for Int'l Film Financing (IIFF) and runs FilmAngels, the world's first professional angel investor group for independent film. Besides that and organizing a variety of events and initiatives at the junction of filmmaking, entrepreneurship and venture capital, Mr. Trenker 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 in person at this or another upcoming IIFF meeting.
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Academy of Art University (AAU) – School of Motion Pictures & Television
466 Townsend Street (btw. 5th & 6th St.)
Room #225 – 2nd floor
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 274-2200
Map: Get a map of 466 Townsend St. from Ask, Google, MapQuest, MSN, Windows Live or Yahoo. Alternatively, use the map on AAU's website.
Driving & parking directions: Our meeting venue is easily reachable by car from the South Bay via nearby Highway 101 North (US-101 N) or nearby Interstate 280 North (I-280 N), and from the East Bay via nearby Interstate 80 West (I-80 W). Find a comprehensive overview of directions to 466 Townsend St. from different parts of the Bay Area here. Personalized driving directions can also be obtained from the above-listed online mapping services; just follow the link of your choice and enter your start address where required. Curbside parking is generally available at and around 466 Townsend St.; a map of parking facilities in the vicinity of our venue can be found here.
Nearest public transportation stop & walking directions (ca. 0.3 miles or 7 min.): San Francisco Caltrain Station at 4th & King St. is just a short walk from our venue at 466 Townsend St. Take Caltrain or Muni Metro line N Judah to 4th & King St. (San Francisco Caltrain Station), then walk northwest on 4th St. toward Townsend St.; turn left onto Townsend and proceed approx. 2 blocks to the last building on the right-hand side of the second block, a large warehouse-like facility, where our meeting takes place – look for Academy of Art University's signature red, white & black logo above the entrance!
This month's Film Financing Townhall in the Bay Area is graciously hosted by Academy of Art University (AAU), a leading private university founded in 1929 in San Francisco. With nearly 10,000 students that occupy its 30+ buildings in downtown San Francisco, AAU is considered the largest private school of art and design in the United States. It offers both traditional on-campus and online distance-education degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of fine arts-related majors, including Motion Pictures & Television and Animation & Visual Effects. In May 2007, AAU was granted regional accreditation by the Senior Commission of the prestigious Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC), one of the six major regional accreditation commissions recognized by the US Department of Education.
At AAU's School of Motion Pictures & Television, students learn the ins and outs of "Lights, Camera, Action!" in a real-world movie studio setting with state-of-the-art equipment and guidance by top industry professionals. The School fosters creativity and independence in filmmaking as an art while also providing instruction in the commercial aspects of filmmaking as a business. The School's educational approach is dedicated to practical, hands-on training in a collaborative framework. Students are immersed in a broad range of filmmaking skills, including producing, directing, cinematography, lighting, sound, editing, and screenwriting. Ultimately, they concentrate on one area and train to become highly employable specialists in their chosen field.
Very special thanks for making this event possible go to Curran Engel, Full-time Instructor in AAU's film school.
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6:00-6:30 pm ... Registration, welcome and introductions
6:30-7:30 pm ... Three featured presentations with Q & A (3x 20 min)
7:30-8:00 pm ... Networking break I (30 min)
8:00-9:00 pm ... Three featured presentations with Q & A (3x 20 min)
9:00-9:15 pm ... Networking break II (15 min)
9:15-10:00 pm ... Moderated panel discussion with Q & A (45 min)
10:00+ pm ... Community time at area restaurant
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Our confirmed speakers so far include…
– Mark Vicente: Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mark studied Cinematography at Wits Drama School, worked as a news cameraman during the Apartheid regime, and went on to shoot music videos and commercials. He got his first big break as Director of Photography on the musical "Sarafina", starring Whoopi Goldberg. In 1992, Mark went to Hollywood to shoot a Disney picture titled "Fatherhood", starring Patrick Swayze. He never left the US, and over the next 8 years shoot another 14 feature films. In 2000, driven by creative desperation, Mark decided to embrace his inevitable destiny as a director. He began directing and shooting commercials and documentaries that gave voice to his rebelliousness and politically incorrect sense of humor. The rockumentary "Where Angels Fear to Tread", produced by Linda Evans, takes to task organized religion and the lengths to which human beings will go to abuse minorities and specifically women in the name of God. Mark's most recent project was the indie cult film "What the Bleep Do We Know!?", and its success has been astounding. The audience, which Hollywood never said existed, came out in droves. With ticket sales of $12M, "What the Bleep!?" became one of the highest grossing documentaries in the US. Several books have been written about the movie and the remarkable grassroots marketing campaign which enabled its enormous success. Credited as Writer, Director and Cinematographer, Mark was an integral part of the creative team behind this sleeper hit, along with filmmakers William Arntz and Betsy Chasse. Mark currently has several projects in development with mysterious, reflective and unusual subject matters as well as a healthy dose of cutting-edge science. He is a highly sought-after speaker on subjects such as spirituality, the blending of science and mysticism, and marketing to the cultural creative demographic.
– Michael Richter: Michael is a seasoned Silicon Valley executive, active angel investor in film, and attorney with over 15 years of experience in the entertainment and media industry. After attending University of Pennsylvania Law School, he launched a successful career as an entertainment and media attorney. Mentored by two of the preeminent entertainment and media lawyers in New York (Peter Herbert and Richard Winfield), Michael developed a client roster that included Sony Pictures, Carsey Werner, Stephen King, Cinerenta, the Associated Press, Reuters, Univision, ABC, and Apple Records. In early 2000, Michael joined eBay, where he served as head of the company's litigation department until 2007. He then took a position as Deputy General Counsel at emerging Internet giant Facebook. Outside of his day job, Michael has made his mark in the world of film as Executive Producer of the feature "Presque Isle", written and directed by Cannes and Sundance winner Rob Nilsson, and Co-producer of the feature "Around June". He also serves on the Board of Directors at the San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking and Fog City Pictures.
– Siegmar Pohl: Siegmar is Of Counsel at national and international business and litigation law firm Carroll, Burdick & McDonough LLP (CBM) in San Francisco. He is an expert in film finance and international copyright law. Qualified to practice law in the US and in Germany, he has significant experience advising US film producers, funds and banks on co-productions and co-financing deals in Europe. A particular focus lies in the structuring of financing agreements using "soft money" and tax breaks for small to multi-million dollar budget films. Siegmar frequently speaks at financing conferences at the Cannes, Berlin and Cape Town film festivals as well as at the American German Copyright Summit. He studied law and politics in Germany, England and the US.
– Peter Shiao: Peter is CEO and Founder of Ironpond, a US and China based entertainment company that finances and produces Asian themed entertainment for worldwide markets and distributes it through traditional and new media platforms. Backed by LA and Wall Street based Endgame Entertainment, Ironpond has multiple joint ventures with prominent Chinese entertainment companies, including the China Film Group. Prior to founding Ironpond, Peter teamed with former Tristar Chairman Mike Medavoy to co-found Ionic Studios, an end-to-end digital entertainment company, and served as its Managing Director. In that capacity, he worked with AT&T; and other partners to launch an interactive, branded TV network and to develop various methods in digital content production, post-production and distribution around affinity communities. Peter also produced and created films under the first movie banner he founded, Celestial Pictures, including "Restless" (the first-ever official US-China film co-production), "Debut", and the documentary feature "Persona Non-Grata" for PBS. His first film project, "Charlie Apana", was sold to John Woo's Lion Rock Productions. A bridge-builder between Hollywood and China, Peter chaired and organized the first-ever US-China Film Industry Conference with the White House and the Chinese Ministry of Radio, Film and Television. Before his career in media, he served as Staff Director for multiple bodies in the California Legislature, including the Special Committee on the Entertainment Industry and the Select Committee on the Pacific Rim. Prior to that, Peter worked in Washington, DC as a public interest lobbyist for the City of Los Angeles, a congressional aide, and Director of Communications for the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. Peter graduated from UCLA with a degree in Political Science, and attended graduate school in Public Policy as a State Senate Fellow.
– Jeffrey Brandstetter: Jeff has been an entertainment and intellectual property attorney for over 15 years, specializing in film, TV, music, new media and entertainment financing. He has counseled and represented a wide array of entertainment and high-tech clients, including recording artists, songwriters, indie record labels, publishing companies, sports figures, managers, accountants, producers, distributors, merchandisers, promoters, music manufacturers, writers, film and TV production companies, entertainment financiers, and Internet and technology startups. Jeff is Co-author of the highly acclaimed book "The Music Business (Explained in Plain English)", and has been published in a number of national publications, including "Entertainment and Sports Lawyer" and the "Entertainment, Publishing and The Arts Handbook". He also appears frequently as a speaker and moderator on entertainment law matters (including TV, radio, Web cast and live panel/seminar appearances), is an active panel attorney and lecturer for California Lawyer for the Arts, has taught intellectual property at Golden Gate University, and worked as an arbitrator in complex business litigation matters. Moreover, Jeff serves as Co-CEO and Co-founder of Windline Films, an independent film and TV development, production and distribution company based in San Francisco. His film and TV credits include "Dangerous Minds", "Mad City", USA Network's "Judgment Day: The Ellie Nesler Story", Comedy Central's "Make Me Laugh", Fox's "Party of Five" and "Ally McBeal", as well as a number of independent features and TV series, including "Teknolust" (starring Tilda Swinton), "Happily, Even After" (Jason Behr), "Black Eyed Dog", "Obstacles", "See How They Run", "Pride of Ireland", "Confessions of a Burning Man" and "Straight Outta Hunters Point".
– 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 US 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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*** TO BE FINALIZED SHORTLY ***
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Online registration is available at http://sfb.filmfinancing.org/073108 (top of this page)
Early bird registration NLT Wednesday, July 9:
IIFF Member ... $25 if registered online no later than 7/9
Non-member ... $40
Regular registration NLT Sunday, July 27:
IIFF Member ... $35 if registered online no later than 7/27
Non-member ... $50
Last minute registration NLT Wednesday, July 30:
IIFF Member ... $45 if registered online no later than 7/30
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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Please direct all your questions and inquiries regarding this event to IIFF's online community forum at http://forum.filmfinancing.org.
Having trouble with Eventbrite (this site), PayPal or Google Checkout? 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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The Institute for International Film Financing (IIFF) is an innovative, independent social-impact organization that endeavors to bridge the gap between the worlds of film 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, London, and the Pacific Northwest.
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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