Seminars

Seminars And Workshops

The DC Independent Film Festival is pleased to present professional seminars focusing on the Business of FIlm, Documentary and Animation at DCIFF2023, March 1-5, 2023

TIckets: Earlybird $10 at Eventbrite through February 28, 2023

Regular: $15 or $20 at Eventbrite or at the door

ALL 3 Film Financing Workshops Friday March 3: $25 at the door

Understanding The Grants Landscape

Understanding the Grants Landscape For Documentaries

A Film Financing Workshop

How the grant-making world is currently working and ways in which you can think about your film that expands its grant opportunities.

There are thousands of grants out there and there are many more people applying for them. What should you apply for and how do you know if you have a chance? Find out how the grant-making world is currently working for the arts, funder priorities and the ways in which you can think about your film that expands grant opportunities. This will be a presentation followed by a case study and a discussion with participants about their needs.

Deirdre Evans-Pritchard is a professional grant writer working specializing in social justice, social services, environmental, arts and humanities fundraising who has raised over $ 1.5 million in the last two years. She has a PhD from UCLA, publishes on cultural heritage and researches the screen. She is also the Executive Director of the DC Independent FIlm Festival.

Location: The Moxy Hotel Washington, DC Downtown
Times: Friday, March 3rd - 2:15pm

(March 3) - $10 Earlybird (+Eventbrite fee) HERE or $15 AT THE DOOR

All Film Fanancing Workshops ($25 at the door)

Working with Investors and Tax Credits

Working Creatively with Investors and Tax Credits

A Film Financing Workshop

This is an opportunity to get invaluable information from an industry professional who understands the playing field out there today, knows what it takes to make a movie and is experienced in how to prepare for, solict and access funding. The seminar will explain how independent films get funded upfront through investment and tax credits and will incude questions from participants. Followed by a Happy Hour reception

Presented by Carol Bidault de L’Isle, an award winning producer, specialized in international motion picture/television financing, distribution, media asset acquisitions and management (MediaFusion Entertainment, LLC). She brings with her over 30 years of industry experience in the United States, Europe and Latin America. She recently produced Cut Off (Brad Dourif, William Baldwin, Jean-Marc Barr) and Daliland (Ben Kingsley, Barbara Sukowa, Ezra Miller). She is also the founder of the DC Independent Film Festival.

Ms. Bidault is active with Women's organizations, including a founding member of Women In Film & Television United States & Women in Film International, served on the WIFTI board (2014 - 2018) as Vice Chair, Membership Chair & WIFTI Short-Case Producer; a co-founding member of Women in Film & Television - Louisiana has served on the Board since 2011 & President (2016 - 2018); Co-Founder of Women in Film (France), Judge on the Women in Film Finishing Fund (2014, 2015, 2016) and a member of Women in Film & Video – Washington, DC (1995 to 2008).

Location: The Moxy Hotel Washington, DC Downtown
Times: Friday, March 3rd - 3:30pm

(March 3) - $10 Earlybird (+Eventbrite fee) HERE or $15 AT THE DOOR

All Film Financing Workshops ($25 At the Door)

presented by Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA), and The Copyright Alliance

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies continues to alter and impact creators' lives everywhere—and the film and video community is no exception. As these technologies develop, consequential copyright and ethical issues surround the training and use of these AI systems, their impact on copyrighted works, and how creators and filmmakers use AI in their own creations.

Moderator: Loletta Darden, WALA
Ms. Darden is a SAG-AFTRA actor, content creator, and a registered patent attorney. Ms. Darden’s legal work includes all aspects of IP creation, exploitation, and protection, including patent, trademark, and copyright matters. Currently, Ms. Darden is a Visiting Associate Clinical Professor and Director of the IP and Technology Law Clinic at The George Washington University Law School, which provides IP legal services to clients from communities that have been historically and intentionally excluded from access to economic opportunity.

Kevin Madigan is VP, Legal Policy and Copyright Counsel at the Copyright Alliance. Kevin joined the Copyright Alliance in early 2020 after four years at the Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property (CPIP) at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. Kevin’s work in copyright includes drafting amicus briefs, regulatory comments, policy papers, and essays on diverse topics such as public performance rights, copyright office modernization, the Music Modernization Act, the CASE Act, and the European Copyright Directive. He has authored law review articles on patent and trade secret policy issues and he blogs at mistercopyright.org. In addition to being a lawyer and advocate for the rights of creators, Kevin is a visual artist, musician, and registered copyright owner.

Location: Landmark's E Street Cinema
Times: Saturday, March 4th - 1:00pm

(March 4) - $10 Earlybird (+Eventbrite fee) HERE or $15 AT THE DOOR

Film Distribution

Film Distribution: Strategies and Advice from Industry Insiders

Established professionals talk about film distribution and answer questions about how to best attract Distributors for your Creative Content

This Panel is led by three proessionals working in the distribution world and presenting different possible paths from ad-based platforms, to pay TV to self distribution options.

Sana Soni is a sales and distribution executive specializing in independent film at 1091 Pictures. She has an extensive background in film and TV sales from multiple studios and independents in both Los Angeles and London, including Signature Entertainment, Discovery, Warner Bros, NBC Universal, National Geographic, and Walden Media. A UCLA and New York Film Academy graduate, she brings market expertise to features in development and those looking for distribution.

Emma Manfredi (Fuse TV) - Emma has a background in distribution and acquisition of indie films. She's previously worked for The Orchard, 1091 Pictures & Giant Pictures. Her goal has always been to help share stories and elevate filmmakers. Now, as the Digital Distribution Manager at Fuse Media, Emma is focusing on the distribution of FAST channels and helping more audiences discover new content.

Carly Reicho was the Director of Film Distribution at indie distributor 1091 Pictures. She now advises filmmakers independently as they navigate distribution. She is also the Director of Film & Community Programs for the women-run production company, SLMBR PRTY. Carly is currently the Program Manager for Nantucket Film Festival and has held positions at Tribeca Film Festival, DOC NYC, and NewFest.

Location: Landmark's E Street Theatre
Times: Saturay, March 4th - 3:00pm

(March 4) - $10 Earlybird (+Eventbrite fee) HERE or $15 AT THE DOOR

Friday MARCH 3

1:00 -2.15PM ~~MARKETING AND BRANDING FOR SCREEN ARTISTS: A FILM FINANCING WORKSHOP~~ (CANCELED)

Jessica Hoy is a brand development specialist with a background in special event marketing, sponsorship sales and brand activation, celebrity and influencer relations and film campaign promotions. Her clients range from major consumer brands to high profile public personalities and most recently acts as a co-founder of Left of Center an agency that lives under the parent company Utopia.

Venue: The Moxy Hotel, 1011 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

2:15-3:30PM UNDERSTANDING THE GRANTS LANDSCAPE FOR DOCUMENTARIES: A FILM FINANCING WORKSHOP

Deirdre Evans-Pritchard is a professional grant writer working specializing in social justice, social services, environmental, arts and humanities fundraising who has raised over $ 1.5 million in the last two years. She has a PhD from UCLA, publishes on cultural heritage and researches the screen. She is also the Executive Director of the DC Independent FIlm Festival.

Venue: The Moxy Hotel, 1011 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

3:30PM-5:00PM WORKING WITH INVESTORS AND TAX CREDITS: A FILM FINANCING WORKSHOP

Presented by Carol Bidault de L’Isle, an award winning producer, specialized in international motion picture/television financing, distribution, media asset acquisitions and management (MediaFusion Entertainment, LLC). She brings with her over 30 years of industry experience in the United States, Europe and Latin America. She recently produced Cut Off (Brad Dourif, William Baldwin, Jean-Marc Barr) and Daliland (Ben Kingsley, Barbara Sukowa, Ezra Miller). She is also the founder of the DC Independent Film Festival.

Venue: The Moxy Hotel, 1011 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Saturday MARCH 4:

1:00PM-3:00pPM Copyright and AI in Film and Video Production

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies continues to alter and impact creators’ lives everywhere—and the film and video community is no exception. As these technologies develop, consequential copyright and ethical issues surround the training of these AI systems using copyrighted works and how creators and filmmakers use AI in their own creations.

Presented by Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA), and The Copyright Alliance

Moderator: Loletta Darden, WALA

Ms. Darden is a SAG-AFTRA actor, content creator, and a registered patent attorney. Ms.

Darden’s legal work includes all aspects of IP creation, exploitation, and protection,

including patent, trademark, and copyright matters. Currently, Ms. Darden is a Visiting

Associate Clinical Professor and Director of the IP and Technology Law Clinic at The

George Washington University Law School, which provides IP legal services to clients

from communities that have been historically and intentionally excluded from access to

economic opportunity.

Panelist: Kevin Madigan, Copyright Alliance

Kevin Madigan is VP, Legal Policy and Copyright Counsel at the Copyright Alliance. Kevin

joined the Copyright Alliance in early 2020 after four years at the Center for the

Protection of Intellectual Property (CPIP) at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia

Law School. Kevin’s work in copyright includes drafting amicus briefs, regulatory comments, policy papers, and essays on diverse topics such as public performance rights, copyright office modernization, the Music Modernization Act, the CASE Act, and the European Copyright Directive. He has authored law review articles on patent and trade secret policy issues and he blogs at mistercopyright.org. In addition to being a lawyer and advocate for the rights of creators, Kevin is a visual artist, musician, and registered copyright owner.

James Stewart is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, director, TED Speaker, artist, digital innovator and multi-platform visual designer. Through his production company, Geneva Film Co. in Toronto, Canada, James has directed over 300 commercials and created stories using live action, 3D, 4D, gesture control, animation and immersive environments. Notable projects include: Werner Herzog’s Cave Of Forgotten Dreams which was called “the reinvention of the cinema medium” by The Guardian and received the prestigious Lumiere Award from the International 3D Society, 3D cinema commercials for Samsung, Toyota, Lexus, and Sprint; Ontario 4D, produced for the Vancouver Olympics and two live 3D concert films of the Montreux Jazz Festival. His period drama Chateau Laurier is now in its second season.

With Refreshments

Venue: Meet at E Street Theatre, 555 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, enter on E Street

3:00PM – 5.00PM: Film Distribution: Strategies and Advice from Industry Insiders

Established professionals let you know all about film distribution and answer your questions.

Sana Soni is a sales and distribution executive specializing in independent film at 1091 Pictures. She has an extensive background in film and TV sales from multiple studios and independents in both Los Angeles and London, including Signature Entertainment, Discovery, Warner Bros, NBC Universal, National Geographic, and Walden Media. A UCLA and New York Film Academy graduate, she brings market expertise to features in development and those looking for distribution.

Emma Manfredi (Fuse TV) – Emma has a background in distribution and acquisition of indie films. She’s previously worked for The Orchard, 1091 Pictures & Giant Pictures. Her goal has always been to help share stories and elevate filmmakers. Now, as the Digital Distribution Manager at Fuse Media, Emma is focusing on the distribution of FAST channels and helping more audiences discover new content.

Carly Reicho was the Director of Film Distribution at indie distributor 1091 Pictures. She now advises filmmakers independently as they navigate distribution. She is also the Director of Film & Community Programs for the women-run production company, SLMBR PRTY. Carly is currently the Program Manager for Nantucket Film Festival and has held positions at Tribeca Film Festival, DOC NYC, and NewFest.

Venue: Meet at E Street Theatre, 555 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20004, enter on E Street