News
International Film Industry Professionals Gather at CIFF for Exchange on Future of Filmmaking
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is on the verge of dynamic new growth and industry legitimacy. With the launch of Mavericks, an ambitious international filmmaking competition and local industry development initiative, ten filmmakers from around the world will converge in Calgary to celebrate the art of independent, pioneering filmmaking and take a lead role in facilitating meaningful industry development activities centred around the Mavericks competition.
“The introduction of the Mavericks program brings the opportunity for CIFF to build a legacy component into the Festival and the arts community,” said Trevor Smith, Director of Programming. “We expect this industry development initiative to grow based on industry feedback and create a real niche attraction on the festival circuit,” he said.
The following Industry Day activities will take place on Saturday October 3, 2009.
Panel Discussion 1: The Art of Filmmaking (10:00am – 11:00am, Cantos Music Room) A discussion about the art and experience of the director: point-of-view, authorial voice, and expressing ideas through cinema. Panelists will discuss concepts such as vision, expressiveness, style, and how to put an identifiable and personal stamp on films. Participants will include: Moderator David Christensen (NFB), and Mavericks competition filmmakers Nicolas Perada (Director, Juntos), Chris Chong (Director, Karaoke) and Damien Chazelle (Director, Guy and Madeline).
Panel Discussion 2: Financing and Selling Your Film in the Digital Age (11:30am – 12:30pm, Cantos Music Room) -- Panelists will discuss challenges faced by independent producers who are increasingly looking to non-traditional sources and partners to finance their films in challenging economic times. The session will also focus on the erosion of the traditional model of film distribution, and how filmmakers can build audience within the new models, including Video on Demand, day & date distribution, and online communities. Participants will include: Moderator Shirley Vercruysse (BurnsFilms Ltd.), producer/director Matt Bissonette (Passenger Side) and distributors Tom Alexander (Mongrel Media), Robin Smith (KinoSmith Films), sales agent Aida LiPera (Visit Films) and on-line distributor Slava Rubin (Indiegogo.com).
Best of Alberta (6:30pm – 9:00pm, Eau Claire Market) -- A celebratory, interactive gala for the public will provide a focal point for audiences to engage in and get excited about contemporary Alberta film. The gala event will include screenings of 10 short Alberta films included in the competition; chosen from over 85 eligible submissions this year. CIFF will present the 10 films to the audience with the industry jury adjudicating live with them. Jurors include: Terry Marsh (Calgary Producer, FullFrontal), Robert Cuffley (Calgary Filmmaker), Donna Brunsdale (Calgary Cinematheque), Chris Potter (Heartland), and Judy Gabriel (CityTV). The filmmakers will be on-hand to speak about their films, answer questions from audience, and provide audience with context related to contemporary Alberta filmmaking.
Mavericks Awards & Closing Ceremonies (9:00pm – 1:00am, Eau Claire Market) -- A reception, dinner, and closing ceremony for filmmakers, industry delegates, and the community at large to award the Festival’s \"Best of\" categories, including \"Best Canadian Feature,\" \"Best International Feature,\" and \"Best Documentary,\" as well as a recap of each of the 10 Maverick films. To cap the evening, the Maverick Jury President will participate in announcing the winning emerging Maverick filmmaker, who will win a $25,000 cash prize from American Express. This year’s Maverick Jurors are: critic/writer Geoff Pevere (Toronto Star), Aida LiPera (Visit Films), and Reg Harkema (Leslie, My Name Is Evil).
Admission for panels is FREE to all CIFF pass holders, or $5 for non-pass holders. Best of Alberta and Mavericks Award & Closing Ceremonies tickets sold separately.
Panels take place at the Cantos Music Room, 134 - 11 Ave SE.
