After a first module in Edinburgh (23-26 March) focusing on North American market and international co-productions, with Sue Turley (ro*co films) and Jennifer Fox among other speakers, the Interdoc producers are now heading to Hot Docs.
They will be in Toronto from 29 April – 4 May.
If you would like to meet them, email us at interdoc@initialize-films.co.uk.
We hope to see you there!
In 2012, Scottish Documentary Institute & Initialize Films will once again present two programmes for producers eager to learn more about the international and North American markets and ready for productive collaborations and a dynamic exchange of expertise:
- Interdoc Plus: a highly bespoke and tailored programme for a select group of producers aiming for the North American market. Submissions are currently open for Scottish-based producers (deadline 16 January 2012). If you wish to apply, please email Flore at flore@scottishdocinstitute.com
- Interdoc Scotland: helping ambitious and emerging Scottish-based producers with a feature documentary in development to strategise their finance plans and increase their chances of successfully funding their documentaries. Read our Guidelines and Apply
Interdoc Plus’ last module took place in Aarhus during the 2011 Nordisk Panorama.
We made the most out of the panel discussions and Forum pitches organised by Film Kontakt Nord, including a session on how to break into the US market with Simon Kilmurry, Ian Davies, Sigrid Dyekjaer and Basil Tsiokos.
We caught-up with commissioning editors and distributors met at Hot Docs and we organised several skype sessions with international experts on international distribution. Peter Hamilton shared with us extremely useful information on the market, documentary slots currently accessible and broadcasters’ expectations. He is a senior consultant based in New York who has worked with Factual industry leaders worldwide on their marketing and business development projects. Wendy Lidell, from International Circuit Films, delivered enlightening information on US Distribution and Service Deals, including how to make most of your US booker.
Andrew Mer, VP of Content Parterships for SnagFilms - spoke about new developments at Snag and a session with Distribber, a digital distribution service, enlightened the producers about the ability to take 100% of revenues by accessing iTunes, Hulu, Netflix and Amazon via a one off fee to them. We also heard from Steven Beckman – Head of Acquisitions at Cinetic Media and their strategy on working with films.
We had plenty of occasion to socialise throughout the four days and deepening contacts and friendships. This is not the last you’ll hear from us.
Aarhus was the last official Interdoc Plus session but some of the producers will be at IDFA in November so don’t hesitate to get in touch! interdoc@initialize-films.co.uk
We organised a variety of sessions at Hot Docs over the 7 days we attended and the producers were offered an ample choice of networking opportunities through group sessions, introductions, one-to-ones, Forum attendance, dinners, and our infamous whisky night caps.
We met with Jennifer Fox, who was screening her new film My Reincarnation at the festival, and she discussed her interesting production choices over 20 years making this film, crowdfunding and how to deal with the intricacies of international co-productions. Luciano Barisone, new director of Nyon’s Visions du Reel festival, encouraged everyone to follow their artistic instincts, and avoid “hip-hop editing”.
Daniel Cross from Eyesteel and Andrew Johnson from CBC enlightened us on Canadian financing opportunities – although some gloominess was apparent about the Canadian state of affairs with regards to broadcasting. Robin Smith from KinoSmith (distribution) told us about his business model for Canadian theatrical distribution and we talked to Sales Agents and Reps Peter Jäger from Autlook and Josh Braun from Submarine on how they choose and strategise about their slate of films and theatrical opportunities for documentaries.
Producer Bart Simpson cheered everyone up with his tales of legal wrangling (Bananas!) and his experience as producer on the international scene. Last but certainly not least, programmer David Courier was amongst those who shared our cosy suite at the Sutton and networked with us over a cup of coffee, while explaining the process of “getting into Sundance”.
Other people we met with: Sue Turley (Ro*co), Anna Miralis (Channel 4), Simon Kilmurry from POV who kindly sponsored whisky when we ran out; Julia Overton from Screen Australia, Dogwoof, Arte France, Films Transit, and many more.
By facilitating initial introductions Interdoc producers were able to meet/pitch or simply engage more directly with many more decision makers and potential North American co-producers throughout our week in Toronto, often far from the competitive atmosphere of the market.
And most importantly, the group enjoyed each other’s company, and what can be daunting and onerous task of taking your project to the market, became a friendly family affair.
Just as we like it!
Next stop is Aarhus!
If you have any questions about Interdoc and next year’s programme, please email: interdoc@initialize-films.co.uk
So here we are – most of the interdoc group is arriving today and settling into the city, before we start on a week full of meetings, consultancies, social events – and our infamous whisky night caps. And of course, we will watch some films, some of which by our very own producers:
Sue Bourne’s Jig will have its world premiere here, and she will share with us her experiences of getting a US distribution deal.
Tobias Janson’s company Story produced The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975, which took Sundance by storm and is now receiving its Canadian premiere at Hotdocs.
Sigrid Dyekjaer produced The Good Life, recently premiered at Tribeca to enthusiastic reviews and has been programmed to screen at Hotdocs with one of our SDI shorts: Surpriseville
We’re also very proud that another Scottish filmmaker, Anthony Baxter, who pitched his film You’ve Been Trumped at The Edinburgh Pitch in 2010 has brought the world premiere of the film to Hotdocs, followed by Sheffield in June in the UK.
If you’re in Toronto and would like to get in touch with any of our producers please call Flore on +416 725 7782
www.hotdocs.ca
www.scottishdocinstitute.com
Our first module was like a reconnaissance gathering of what to consider when trying to sell your film on the international scene. We invited a number of experts and speakers in person and via skype into our room, giving incredible insider knowledge to the participants and their projects in hand.
Sandi Dubowski (Trembling before G-d) gave an inspirational talk about Turning films into Movements and workshopped each of the projects with regards to possible campaigns and distribution avenues for the film.
Fernanda Rossi enlightened us about the dos and don’ts of cutting fundraising trailers, and giving us a different interpretation of the concept of “holy trinity:” “trailer, verbal and written pitch,” in her eyes, “are one – but separate manifestations of your film.”
We invited Andy Green from Distrify talk us through the new distribution widgets which will allow you to embed a point of sale anywhere on the web. We had a session by Doug Block on the ins and outs of service deals for distributing your films theatrically in the USA and an inspirational introduction to Active Voice, a US organisation which uses story and documentary to affect social change from grassroots to grasstops. We heard from Christian Beetz about the possibilities of German co-productions and their new cross platform approach to projects.
We had insights from Oscar nominated producer/directors Marshall Curry (Street Fight, If a Tree Falls) and Judith Ehrlich (The Most Dangerous Man in America) on the route to awards and navigating distribution in the US. Simon Chinn (Man on Wire, Project Nim) gave a frank talk about international & US financing from a UK perspective; Peter Dally from New Media Law firm enlightened us on some of the areas to consider when “remake” interest knocks on your door; and last but not least Krysanne Katsoolis from Cactus Three explained their business model and the advantage of having a close ally and co-producer in the US.
Now the participants will prep for Hotdocs, where plenty of one to one and group sessions will be set up.
We’ll be there from 1-7 May. We hope to see you soon.
After a whirlwind of Interdoc meetings, whisky soirees and markets in 2010, 2011 has approached fast.
We’re delighted that we will be offering two different Interdoc provisions for producers this year:
Interdoc Plus will connect experienced Scottish/UK producers with Nordic producers, supported by the Nordic Film Institutes, in order to meet and explore the best ways of connecting with each other and the North American market. It will be run over the course of three sessions & via one to one consultancies. It will be hosted in Edinburgh (March) , Toronto / Hotdocs (May) and Denmark (Sept) 2011.
Interdoc Scotland will help 6 ambitious and emerging Scottish producers with a feature documentary in development to strategise their finance plans and increase their chances of successfully funding their documentaries. 2 x 2 day Sessions.
(deadline 31 Jan 2011)
APPLY HERE: Interdoc 2011 (applications now closed)