Wednesday, March 9, 2011 – DAY ONE
7:30 - 8:30am Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 8:45am Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:45 - 9:00am State of The Industry Overview
9:00 - 10:15am Five Reasons to Get Into the Film Business Now and Five Ways to Help you Stay
The opening panel will address where film finance is heading from slate deals to new deals; present new drivers of revenue; explore BRIC opportunities; share views on financing 2D vs. 3D films; and provide their insights on how to capitalize on the film business as a non-correlated investment strategy.
10:15 - 10:45am Refreshments and Ice Breaker Session
10:45 - 11:45am Business Models for Digital Content and Electronic Delivery What are the implications of digital/electronic distribution on the film business? What types of alternative content will emerge? And what business models are working to monetize the digital space? This panel will address these questions, in addition to discussing digital protection and management issues.
11:45am - 12:45pm Demand for Private Capital: Smart Money Insights
As media companies and studios regroup post-recession and develop their operating budgets for new releases and new modes of distribution, the market is focused on new forms of private capital to invest in the industry. This appears to be of growing interest not only among independent producers but also among the major studios. Is there a new pro-investor model for private capital evolving in the industry?
12:45 - 1:45pm Networking Luncheon
1:45 - 2:45pm The Lending Market: Banking on the Resurgence of Debt Capital
Is there still a credit crunch or is the debt market finally loosening up? If so, which banks and mezzanine lenders are providing capital creatively and at what cost to investors and producers? And what new strategies are available to increase the likelihood of a loan approval in the face of a difficult pre-sales market? For example, is there any way for banks to lend against production risks?
2:45 - 3:45pm Controlling Volatility and Mitigating Risk
Film investments are more volatile by nature, but can offer significant returns when the degree of risk involved is carefully assessed and managed. This panel of experts will provide ways to mitigate risk by addressing how to create certain revenue streams, identify partners with aligned interests, quantify soft money opportunities, track and access legislative changes, apply audit procedures and other best practices, and evaluate risks through business to business and technology solutions.
3:45 - 4:00pm Coffee Break
4:00 - 5:00pm Fighting for Distribution: Effective Pre-Sales and Marketing Strategies
Guaranteeing pre-sales has never been more challenging, even as the market begins to recover from the economic downturn. This group of experts will address effective ways to meet today’s pre-sale demands and discuss how to generate the right budget; secure attractive elements; re-define the domestic audience; and work within limited P&A/marketing budgets.
5:00 - 6:00pm Monetizing on Tax Incentives and Subsidies in a Transition Year
As state administrations transition with new film commissioners and budget cuts, how can producers and lenders continue to monetize on soft money in 2011? This panel of experts will provide strategies on how to acquire tax credits and rebates and what states to work with. Additionally, gain insight into how you can enhance the incentives and expedite payments.
6:00 - 8:00pm Cocktail Reception and One-on-One Meetings