2011 american film market press report - david l. watts, neil williams & howard hobson -...

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2011 American Film Market Press Report:

11-15-2011 - Written By: David L. $Money Train$ Watts, Neil Williams & Howard Hobson

– FuTurXTV - Funk Gumbo Radio – Auggie Cavanagh - Cameraman & Still Photographer

About the AFM

The business of independent motion picture production and distribution – a truly collaborative process –

reaches its peak every year at the AFM, when 8,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days

of deal-making, screenings, conferences, premieres, networking and parties. Participants come from more

than 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors,

distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world's press and all

those who provide services to the motion picture industry.

Founded in 1981, the AFM quickly became the premiere global marketplace where Hollywood's decision-

makers and trendsetters all gather under one roof. Unlike a film festival, the AFM is a marketplace where

production and distribution deals are closed. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals will be sealed

- on both completed films and those in every stage of development and production - making the AFM the

must-attend industry event. The AFM is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance, the trade

association representing the world's producers and distributors of independent motion pictures and television

programs. More information is online at www.IFTA-online.org.

I can easily summarize up this year‟s 2011 AFM with five distinct things: Ron Howard and Rob Reiner were at AFM, China is buying films big time, film sellers are mostly happy at AFM, buyers are mostly happy and everything old is new again in 3D. That is what I immediately took from being at AFM this year. I have to say that I started to feel the crowds and excitement and buzz coming back to AFM that I have not seen for several years. AFM will never really get back to its heyday of being one of the most crowded and coveted Hollywood Industry events like it was in 2005 and 2006. But I can say that this year‟s AFM was well attended during the first week and many of the panels and premiere screenings were still having solid attendance during the second week.

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And I can say that the 2011 AFM was notable not because I ran into 70‟s Blaxploitation screen legend Fred Williams in the lobby looking for investors for Original Gangsters 2. But rather there were many notable and easily recognizable A-list producers like Ron Howard and Rob Reiner who actually showed up and were promoting their films. For Ron Howard he was at AFM creating hype and hoopla for his new film called Rush. Rob Reiner was at AFM doing interviews for his new film Summer at Dog Dave‟s, starring Morgan Freeman and Virginia Madsen and is being sold by Voltage Pictures. The pictures of Ron at AFM and the press release about him being at AFM are below:

2011 AFM PICTURES – DAY 1:

Producer Ron Howard (2nd-R) with Exclusive Media Group excutives Nigel Sinclair (L)

and Guy East (R), and Cross Creek Brian Oliver attend 2011 American Film Market - Day

1 - Ron Howard attends AFM to meet with buyers for his Epic Formula 1 FILM 'RUSH',

held at Casa Del Mar hotel on November 2, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

Los Angeles, CA (November 1st, 2011) – Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard

attends the American Film Market to meet with buyers and talk about his vision for his

new film RUSH on behalf of Exclusive Media Group (―Exclusive‖). Alongside Exclusive co-

chairmen Nigel Sinclair, and Guy East and Cross Creek’s Brian Oliver, Howard

participated in a number of intimate round table meetings about the epic Formula 1

feature film and highlighted how he’d become such a fan of the sport. RUSH is co-

produced and co-financed by Exclusive with Cross Creek Pictures. This marks the third

collaboration between Exclusive and Cross Creek, who are also co-producing the picture

with Imagine Entertainment, Working Title and Revolution Films. Howard, Brian Oliver,

Brian Grazer, Eric Fellner, Peter Morgan and Andrew Eaton are all named as producers.

Exclusive’s co-chairmen Nigel Sinclair and Guy East executive produce RUSH with

Exclusive’s Head of Production Tobin Armbrust. Imagine’s Todd Hallowell will also

Executive Produce. Chris Hemsworth (THOR) and Daniel Brühl (INGLORIOUS

BASTERDS) star in the film penned by Peter Morgan (FROST/NIXON). Alex Walton,

President of Exclusive Films International, is debuting RUSH to buyers at AFM. Currently

in production, RUSH is being released by Universal Pictures in the US in 2012.


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The 2011 AFM Seller that impressed me the most this year was The Little Film Company. You can read a detailed press release about their new AFM 2011 films:

LOS ANGELES (November 4, 2011) – Clay Epstein, VP of Sales and Acquisitions for The Little Film

Company announces the UK sale of the new action film, WAR OF THE DEAD to Momentum Films/Alliance

Pictures.

―We’ve had an incredible response to WAR OF THE DEAD and are thrilled to have found the perfect

distribution team for such a great film with Momentum/Alliance,‖ Epstein said.

WAR OF THE DEAD is directed by Marko Makilaakso and stars Andrew Tiernan as Captain Martin Stone

who leads a specially trained, elite platoon of American and Finnish soldiers who attack an enemy bunker.

Underestimating their enemy’s strength, they are quickly beaten back into the forest. As the platoon tries to

regroup, they are suddenly attacked by the same soldiers whom they’d just killed minutes earlier. Forced to

flee deeper into Russian territory, they discover one of war’s most terrifying secrets and realize they have

woken up a far more deadly enemy.

"We're excited to be in business with the Little Film Company on what promises to be a real treat for fans of

full-blooded action." Said Henry Beattie, Worldwide Acquisitions Manager for Momentum Pictures/Alliance

Films.

With the current fad of Zombie films taking center stage on the global film market, WAR OF THE

DEAD stands out with its high production value and non-stop action.

The Little Film Company is selling the European coproduction at AFM along with an impressive slate

including Dario Argento’s DRACULA 3D, THE EYE OF THE STORM with Geoffrey Rush and

Charlotte Rampling, BENEATH THE DARKNESS with Dennis Quaid and SPUD with John Cleese.

And I did make sure I went and spoke with one of the few- if not only-African-American AFM Buyer/Sellers named Phil Roberson with Wonderphil Productions. You can see





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many brothas and sistas down in the Loews Hotel lobby or by the pool and all over the Market. But it is extremely rare to actually see anyone Black in the AFM suites. And it is even rare to meet a president of company like Phil at AFM. We did not chat long at Wonderphil‟s suite, but Phil told me his plate was full in regards to producing any new films. Phil said they were not acquiring new projects until they sold all of their films first.

I did get a chance to see a few films as well at AFM and I was greatly impressed with Telepool‟s Color of the Ocean which really examines the issue of immigration from multiple sides to produce a highly engaging and memorable film. And I especially liked the lead performances of Houbert Kounde who plays Zola, the African father from Senegal, Alex Gonzalez the hardened Spanish border patrolman and the sympathetic and caring German tourist played excellently by Sabine Timoteo. She really stands out. Synopsis: "On a Gran Canarias’s beach, a German tourist witnesses the arrival of a precarious

boat with African refugees on board. In order to help, she gives money to an African father and his son, both escaped from the reception centre. That decision will influence strongly their lives while the officer investigating the case will severely try to deport both Africans." “A muscular, moving thriller with a three-sided perspective on the moral complexities of immigration, "Color of the Ocean" would be a terrific promo for Canary Islands tourism given its sun-drenched beaches, except for the dead and dehydrated boat people scattered along them. Two of these are at the heart of writer-director Maggie Peren's well-told story, whose deft handling and universal issues could find a helping hand in the specialty market”…John Anderson…Variety…September





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The film I wanted to see the most was Seven Below which is a supernatural/horror thriller that was directed and co-written by my good friend Kevin Carraway. I have known about Seven Below for a few years now and know all the ups and downs of what it took Kevin to get his film funded, made and then bought by Vision Films, Inc. But when I went by Vision‟s AFM suite they did not have any screeners available. So I am going to put off doing my very extensive film review of Seven Below until I see the film.

I can say that one of the best meetings I had at AFM was when I stopped by the suite of

Dongyu Club & Inc. and Pictures Department. Last year I was really bummed that a few

times I stopped by their suite they were either out or they had already left. So it was not

to anyone‟s surprise that I had a really great time talking to Pictures‟ President Yuko

Shiomaki, to my left in the picture below, because I knew a lot about their Japanese

Hip-Hop films from their talented director Yu Irie. I can say as a big Hip-Hop film fan that

I greatly enjoyed watching Yu's 8000 Miles and its sequel 8000 Miles 2: Girl Rapper. I

was not blown away by 8000 Miles because the pacing was very slow for an urban/Hip-

Hop drama. But it did have lots of entertaining characters. I can also honestly say that

Yu‟s 8000 Miles 2: Girl Rapper is right behind Brazil's Antonia as another well acted

and well directed indie film breaking down the Hip-Hop lifestyle and culture from a

uniquely female perspective. I would put 8000 Miles 2 in my Top 10 of indie Hip-Hop

films. And I look forward to seeing Yu Irie‟s third 8000 Miles film that he just finished.





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The 2011 AFM Vendor that caught my eye this year was The White Rabbit Animation Inc.‟s booth on the 8th Floor. I was very impressed with TWR because they offered a very simple and cost effective way for many AFM producers to convert their 2D films into new and more marketable 3D films. The 2D to 3D conversion process basically costs $800,000 to $1Million for a standard two hour film. This seems quite reasonable now and I am sure as the 3D theatrical market and 3D TV market expands than those costs will probably go down by a 1/3 or even half by next year‟s AFM. But surely if you have a lot of action or horror films than this is the way to contact TWR and make greatly increase the value of those films because they can be now remarketed to new and younger audiences that most likely never even heard about them in first place.

TWR animation Inc. is a cutting-edge animation studio, established by Dr. Charles Chao-Hua Lee whose

work was focused on Character Animation and Stereoscopy. By gathering up a group of passionate elite

researchers and animation industry experts, we are committed to bringing you various technical solutions to

suit your needs as well as producing innovative animations. Our R&D team works closely with the best

multimedia labs, including Cambridge University, USC, and NTU CSIE department to develop advanced

technologies. Not only develop graphics and pipeline tools to optimize production efficiency, we are proud to

be one of the first facilities in Asia to provide high quality 2D to 3D stereo conversion services.

In closing I can say that the 2011 American Film Market was a success for many sellers and buyers because China and India are the emerging film markets that were actively looking and purchasing many film and TV properties. China especially is flush with cash and billions of consumers that have a large appetite for Western and European styled films. I can also say that the great economic collapse of 2008 is still lingering in the backs of any smart sellers or buyers minds, but there was clearly more optimism and enthusiasm for the future of content creators and distributors. And as more global tech consumers buy iPads, Tablets and smartphones, then the future of AFM is very bright.





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(Right Photo) (L-R) Host Jack Gonzales, Former Travel Director, Sony Pictures, Pamela Aberg,

Sony Pictures, and Bertram van Munster, Co-creator and Executive Producer, The Amazing

Race speak onstage during the 2011 American Film Market - Day 2 - Flights. Camera. Action.

How to make it all happen, held at Loews hotel on November 3, 2011 in Santa Monica, CA.

(Left Photo) (L-R) Host Jack Gonzales, Former Travel Director, Sony Pictures, Pamela Aberg,

Sony Pictures, and Bertram van Munster, Co-creator and Executive Producer, The Amazing

Race attend the 2011 American Film Market - Day 2 - Flights. Camera. Action. How to make it

all happen, held at Loews hotel on November 3, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

(Top Left Photo) (L-R) Director/ co-writer George Gallo, co-writer/ producer Kevin Pollak,

actress Selma Blair, producer Christopher Mallick, and producer Robert Beaumont speak

onstage during the 2011 American Film Market - Day 2 - Lighting Entertainment's 'Columbus

Circle' held at Loews hotel on November 3, 2011 in Santa Monica, CA. (Top Right Photo) (L-R)

Co-writer/ producer Kevin Pollak, actress Selma Blair, director/ co-writer George Gallo, and

producer Christopher Mallick attend the 2011 American Film Market - Day 2 - Lighting

Entertainment's 'Columbus Circle' held at Loews hotel on November 3, 2011 in Santa Monica,

California.


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(Left Photo) (L-R) Managing Director, American Film Market, Jonathan Wolf, IFTA President,

Jean Prewitt, Regional Director, Americas. Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Louis Ho,

CEO Emperor Motion Picture, Albert Lee and Los Angeles Director, Hong Kong Trade

Development Council, Dannie Chiu attend the 2011 American Film Market - Day 2 - Hong

Kong Day Ribbon Cutting held at Loews hotel on November 3, 2011 in Santa Monica, CA.

(Right Photo) Jean Prewitt, IFTA President (L) and Louis Ho, Regional Director, Americas.

Hong Kong Trade Development Council attend the 2011 American Film Market - Day 2 - Hong

Kong Day Ribbon Cutting held at Loews hotel on November 3, 2011 in Santa Monica, CA.

(Top Right Photo) (L-R) Yvonne Chuang, Senior Vice President, Tomson International

Entertainment Distribution Ltd. , Zhou Tiedong, President, China Film Promotion International,

Wei Han, President, Bliss Media Ltd. and Patrick Frater, CEO, Film Business Asia and Louis

Ho, Regional Director, Americas. Hong Kong Trade Development Council speak onstage during

the 2011 American Film Market - Day 2 - Hong Kong: Asia's Co-production Center and

Gateway to the China Market, held at Loews hotel on November 3, 2011 in Santa Monica,

California. (Top Left Photo) Managing Director, American Film Market, Jonathan Wolf, speaks

onstage during the 2011 American Film Market - Day 2 - Hong Kong: Asia's Co-production

Center and Gateway to the China Market, held at Loews hotel on November 3, 2011 in Santa

Monica, CA.


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AMERICAN FILM MARKET, HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL PUT SPOTLIGHT ON CO-PRODUCTIONS AT „HONG KONG DAY‟ NOV. 3

Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 28, 2011 – The American Film Market (AFM) and the Hong Kong Trade Development

Council (HKTDC) will collaborate for the second annual ―Hong Kong Day‖ at the 2011 AFM on Thursday,

Nov. 3, putting the emphasis on co-productions with a day-long series of events. AFM Managing Director

Jonathan Wolf and HKTDC Regional Director of Americas, Louis Ho, made the announcement today.

The focus on Hong Kong as Asia’s co-production center, and the benefits of co-producing in Hong Kong, will

include events and activities highlighting the myriad of films and projects from Hong Kong-based sales

companies. It will also provide a look at the 2012 edition of the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market

(FILMART), March 19-22, where U.S. companies will again take part in the American Pavilion.

The American Pavilion at FILMART was first launched under a multi-year partnership announced at the

2010 AFM between the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA)—the parent organization of the

AFM—and the International Trade Administration (ITA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is

designed to provide exhibit space, as well as marketing and technical support, to U.S. companies and put

them on equal footing with other national pavilions.

Hong Kong Day activities, which begin with a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the entrance of the Loews Hotel,

will include a seminar about co-producing in Hong Kong and the China market, and a cocktail reception for

invited guests.

―Hong Kong is a hub of film production, providing an environment that combines artistry and efficiency with

an avenue to the Chinese market and FILMART, the region’s only global film market,‖ Wolf said. ―We are

proud to continue our collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and to be able to put

the spotlight on co-productions in this very important region.‖

―Given the success of our first Hong Kong Day at AFM last year, we are once again thrilled to highlight the

vibrant film industry in Hong Kong and its role as an important route into both the Chinese mainland and

Asian markets,‖ Ho said. ―The influx of American companies at this year’s FILMART, led by the efforts of

the Independent Film & Television Alliance, and from first-time exhibitors representing Cambodia, Iceland,

Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, provided a nearly 9% increase in exhibitors. We look forward to

expanding our relationships with the global film community even further in the coming year and exploring

new co-production opportunities.‖

The following films from Hong Kong film companies will have their market premiere screenings on Hong

Kong Day:

• Life Without Principle from Media Asia Distribution, Ltd.

Screening at AMC Santa Monica 6, 11:00am

• The Sorcerer and the White Snake from Distribution Workshop





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Screening at AMC Santa Monica 6, 1:00pm

• Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale from Fortissimo Films


• Shaolin from Emperor Motion Pictures


The other Hong Kong films screening at the AFM are: A Simple Life and Overheard 2 from Distribution

Workshop; Mural from Golden Network Asia Limited; 1911 from Jackie Chan International Cinema; and

Lady Kung Fu and Lan Kwai Fong from Mei Ah Entertainment Group, Ltd.

Details of all Hong Kong films being shown at the AFM are available at The Film Catalogue,

www.TheFilmCatalogue.com

HONG KONG DAY AT AMERICAN FILM MARKET

November 3, 2011

Major Events

Opening Ceremony (ribbon cutting)

Time : 11:00 am

Venue : Main Entrance, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Remarks : No RSVP is required and all guests are welcome

―Hong Kong: Asia’s Co-production Centre and Gateway to the China Market‖*

Time : 2:30 pm-3:30 pm

Venue : Venice, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Remarks : Open to AFM badge-holders. No RSVP required Capacity 100


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Hong Kong Reception

Time : 5:30 pm-7:30 pm

Venue : Ocean & Vine Restaurant, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Remarks : Invitation only

Hong Kong Companies at AFM 2011

Company Offices

All Rights Entertainment 1511 16th

Street, Suite 205

Distribution Workshop Loews - 611& 615

Easternlight Films Loews - 729

Edko Films Ltd. Loews - 452

Emperor Motion Pictures Loews - 529

Film Asia Entertainment Group Co., Ltd Loews - 309

Fortissimo Films Le Merigot, Suite 220

Golden Network Asia Limited Loews - 437

Jackie Chan International Cinema Loews - 327

Media Asia Distribution Ltd. Loews - 517 & 519

Mega-Vision Pictures Limited Loews - 534 & 536

Mei Ah Entertainment Group Ltd. Loews – 626

Pegasus Motion Pictures Distribution Ltd Loews – 427

We Distribution Limited Loews – 326





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Rodrigo Guerrero Rojas, Producer, Maria Full of Grace, Contracorriente (Undertow), La Cara

Oculta (L) and Host Bertrand Moullier, Naval Conseil, FIAPF Senior Expert for International

Affairs speak onstage during the 2011 American Film Market - Day 3 - The Producer's Vision: a

Conversation with Colombian Producer Rodrigo Guerrero Rojas held at the Loews Hotel on

November 4, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

(RIGHT PHOTO) (L-R) Host Bertrand Moullier, Naval Conseil, FIAPF Senior Expert for

International Affairs, Managing Director, American Film Market, Jonathan Wolf, Rodrigo

Guerrero Rojas, Producer, Maria Full of Grace, Contracorriente (Undertow), La Cara Oculta, and

Benoit Ginisty, Director General of FIAPF attend the 2011 American Film Market - Day 3 - The

Producer's Vision: a Conversation with Colombian Producer Rodrigo Guerrero Rojas held at the

Loews Hotel on November 4, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.


(Left Photo) (L-R) Actor Nathan West, actress Chyler Leigh, executive producer Walker Zuck,

producer James Walker, and producer Robert Beaumont attend the 2011 American Film Market -

Day 4 - Lightning Entmt. Cocktail Event for 'Brake', held at the Viceroy Hotel. (Right Photo)

(L-R)Moderator Stephanie Palmer, Good in a Room, Tobin Armbrust, Senior Vice-President and

Head of Production, Exclusive Media and Cassian Elwes, Independent Producer/ Agent speak

onstage during the 2011 American Film Market - Day 4 - Pitch Conference- BizTV Network,

held at the Fairmont Hotel on November 5, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.






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(Top Photo) (L-R) Josh Foglio of West Virginia Film Office, actor Ryan Lee and Jamie Cope of

West Virgina Film Office attend the 2011 American Film Market - Day 5 - Super 8 DVD release

held at the Fairmont Hotel on November 6, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

(Bottom Photo) (L-R) President and CEO of IFTA Jean Prewitt, director Rob Reiner and

Managing Director of American Film Market Jonathan Wolf attend the 2011 American Film

Market - Day 5 - Voltage Pictures Presents: 'Summer at Dog Dave's' held at the Loews Hotel on


Josh Dickey of Variety (L) and Actor Rob Reiner speak onstage at the 2011 American Film

Market - Day 5 - Voltage Pictures Presents: 'Summer at Dog Dave's' held at the Loews Hotel on



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(Left Photo) Darrien Michele Gipson of SAG, Kay S. Wolf of WGAW, and Daniel Tankman of

the DGA attend at the 2011 American Film Market - Day 6 - Working with the U.S. Guilds panel

held at the Loews Hotel on on November 7, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

(Right Photo) Darrien Michele Gipson of SAG, Kay S. Wolf of WGAW, and Daniel Tankman of

the DGA speak onstage at the 2011 American Film Market - Day 6 - Working with the U.S.

Guilds panel held at the Loews Hotel on on November 7, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

(Left Photo) (L-R) Hal Sadoff of International Creative Management, Rena Ronson of United

Talent Agency, President and CEO of CineTel Films Paul Hertzberg, Eric Schotz of LMNO

Productions, Gary Randall of Boardwalk Entertainment Group and Jay Cohen of Gersh Agency

attend the 2011 American Film Market - Day 6 - Production Conference - Brand Integration held

at the Fairmont Hotel on on November 7, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

(Middle Photo) (L-R) Jay Cohen of Gersh Agency, Gary Randall of Boardwalk Entertainment

Group, President and CEO of CineTel Films Paul Hertzberg, Eric Schotz of LMNO Productions,

Rena Ronson of United Talent Agency and Hal Sadoff of International Creative Management

speak onstage at the 2011 American Film Market - Day 6 - Production Conference - Brand

Integration held at the Fairmont Hotel on on November 7, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

(Right Photo) Director Jon Amiel (L) and writer John Alan Simon speak onstage at the 2011

American Film Market - Day 6 - From the Trenches: The Director's Viewpoint held at the Loews

Hotel on on November 7, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.






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Robin Burt of IFTA (L) and Jimmy Williams of Alexandria/Pineville CVB speak onstage at the

2011 American Film Market - Day 7 - North American Production Incentives held at the Loews

Hotel on November 8, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

Robin Burt of IFTA, Mariella Perez-Serrano of the Puerto Rico Film Comission and Antonio

Sifre of Toro Colon Mullet Rivera & Sifre PSC speaks onstage at the 2011 American Film

Market - Day 7 - North American Production Incentives held at the Loews Hotel on November

8, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

Sanja Ravlic (L) and Hrvoje Hribar of the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Daniel Dreifuss of the

Rio Fim Comission, Florence Swamy of Fiji Audio Video Comission, Hugo Villa of Mexico

Film Comission and Vikramjit Roy of the National Film Development Corporation, India speaks

onstage at the 2011 American Film Market - Day 7 - North American Production Incentives held

at the Loews Hotel on November 8, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.



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(L-R) Brad Kembel of Summit Entertainment LLC, Erik Brannon of Screendigest, Dan Cohen,

Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Rose of IFTA, Jon Ferro of Entertainment One and Managing

Director of American Film Market Jonathan Wolf speaks onstage at the 2011 American Film

Market - Day 7 - Distribution Conference - Monetizing New Global Platforms held at the

Fairmont Hotel on November 8, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

(L-R) David Fenkel of Oscilloscope Laboratories, Susan Jackson of Freestyle Releasing,

Charlotte Mickie of Entertainment One and Tom Quinn of the Weinstein Compnay speak

onstage at the 2011 American Film Market - Day 7 - Distribution Conference - Limited and

Specialty Releases held at the Fairmont Hotel on November 8, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.

(L-R) David Fenkel of Oscilloscope Laboratories, Tom Quinn of the Weinstein Company,

Charlotte Mickie of Entertainment One and Susan Jackson of Freestyle Releasing speak onstage.

at the 2011 American Film Market - Day 7 - Distribution Conference - Limited and Specialty

Releases. (L-R) Erik Brannon of Screendigest, Brad Kembel of Summit Entertainment LLC,

Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Rose of IFTA, Disney - ABC Executive Vice President of Pay

Television and Interactive Media Dan Cohen and Jon Ferro of Entertainment One speak onstage

at the 2011 American Film Market - Day 7 - Distribution Conference - Monetizing New Global

Platforms held at the Fairmont Hotel on November 8, 2011 in Santa Monica, California.


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AMERICAN FILM MARKET TO CONCLUDE WEDNESDAY WITH ATTENDANCE, BUYING COMPANIES AND BUYERS UP, PACKED CONFERENCES AND TOP TALENT

Santa Monica, CA, Nov. 7, 2011—The 2011 American Film Market will conclude its Nov. 2-9 run on

Wednesday with buying companies rising 8% to 718 from 664 in 2010; buying executives up 7% to 1,523

vs.1,417 a year ago; and overall attendance climbing 4% to 7,988 versus 7,695 in 2010.

―We are thrilled with the strong growth in buyers – it’s our most important metric -- and selling out the new

AFM Conference Series in its first year underscores the AFM’s relevance to the production community,‖ said

AFM Managing Director Jonathan Wolf, who also serves as executive vice president of the Independent Film

& Television Alliance.

Industry attendees, the category that includes all non-buyers/sellers, jumped 21% to a record 2,402 from

1,988 last year. Attendance among exhibitor-affiliated participants (including their executives, producers,

talent and guests) finished at 3,219, down 3% from last year’s total of 3,321. Among guests (government

officials, NGOs, AFI FEST filmmakers, etc.), the category finished down 14% to 658 from 753 in 2010; there

were 186 press attendees.

Countries with more individuals from buying companies at the market this year included China (+61%, 37

vs. 23), Germany (+38%, 109 vs. 79), the United Kingdom (+16%, 73 vs. 63), South Korea (+15%, 116 vs. 101)

and Japan (+11%, 128 vs. 115). Among regions, the Middle East rose 35%, to 42 from. 31, while Asia grew

17%, from 407 to 348.

Among individual countries, China posted the most growth for buying companies (+50%, 21 vs. 14), followed

by Germany (+39%, 46 vs. 33) and France (+18%, 40 vs. 34). The U.S. was up 8% to 137 from 127 the

previous year.

Exhibiting companies saw an increase of 4% (356 vs. 343) with no major shifts among countries. Others AFM

highlights included:

• 415 films screened

• 69 world premieres

• 310 market premieres

• 28 films screened in 3D

• Films from 35 countries

• More than 700 total screenings

The new five-day AFM Conference Series showcasing sessions on financing, production, marketing,

distribution and pitching attracted sold-out audiences of 600-700. Additionally, the inaugural Industry

Conversations Series — intimate, interactive and informative discussions with visionaries, trendsetters and

experts of the film industry — delivered many prominent speakers, including Director/Writer Rob Reiner;

Producer Lauren Shuler Donner; Kevin Pollak; Selma Blair; Emmy-winning ―Amazing Race‖ Co-Creator

and Executive Producer Bertram van Munster; and Rodrigo Guerrero Rojas, the renowned Columbian

producer of ―Maria Full of Grace.‖





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AMERICAN FILM MARKET® TO STAY IN

SANTA MONICA THROUGH 2017

Los Angeles -- Dec. 8, 2011 -- The American Film Market (AFM®), the premier event of the Independent Film

& Television Alliance®

(IFTA®), will remain in Santa Monica through 2017, IFTA leadership announced

today. New agreements will keep the AFM at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, its home since 1991, with

additional exhibition space continuing at JW Marriott’s Le Merigot Beach Hotel and with conferences

continuing at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. IFTA Chairman Paul Hertzberg noted, ―We

tirelessly explored every option to ensure the AFM would have the best long-term home. We look forward to

many more successful Markets with the beach as our backdrop.‖ IFTA President-CEO Jean Prewitt

commented, ―Our stated goal from the start of this process has been to provide the best environment,

resources and value for the world’s buyers and sellers and, after long and careful deliberations, we believe

remaining in Santa Monica will achieve all of those goals.‖

―In Santa Monica, the AFM will soon have access to a new 12-screen multiplex, a 2,000-plus seat world class

venue for red-carpet premieres, more hotel rooms, light rail transportation to Los Angeles and Hollywood,

and even a spectacular new park across from the Loews.‖ IFTA EVP and AFM Managing Director Jonathan

Wolf said. ―We are thrilled that everyone in the city came together to make this happen.‖

Over the next few years, Santa Monica will be transformed by a variety of public improvements and

development projects that will significantly enhance the American Film Market, including:

· AMC Entertainment is developing a new Santa Monica cinema complex with 12 screens, including

an IMAX theater. It is anticipated to open in late 2014 or early 2015.

· The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium will be rehabilitated and expanded, providing AFM with an

ideal venue for red-carpet premieres. Expected to be completed in late 2014, the renovated auditorium

will include a removable seating system that can accommodate more than 2,000 or create an open space

for large events.

· At least 700 hotel rooms will be added to the downtown area, including mid-priced hotels from

Marriott and Hampton Inn.

· A light Metro Rail terminal at Fourth Street and Colorado Avenue, a five-minute walk from the

Loews, will connect Santa Monica to Los Angeles and Hollywood. Dubbed the ―subway to the sea,‖ it is

expected to be operational in 2015.

· A stunning seven-acre park on Ocean Avenue directly across from the Loews Hotel is scheduled for

completion in late 2013, along with an adjoining new mixed-use urban village with restaurants and shops

eyed for 2014. Confirmed dates for AFM in Santa Monica are:

October 31 – November 7, 2012

November 6 - 13, 2013

November 5 - 12, 2014

November 4 - 11, 2015

November 2 - 9, 2016

November 1 - 8, 2017

Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau research estimates that the AFM will contribute more than

$100 million to the local economy over the next six years.





21

DAILIES 5 November 2011. ONLINE 4 November 2011. WIDE

CONTENT SELLS „HARD BOILED SWEETS‟ TO UNIVERSAL

5 November 2011, Los Angeles - Content is delighted to announce it has sold „HARD BOILED

SWEETS‟ to Universal Pictures International Entertainment in the UK, Australia, New Zealand,

Benelux and Scandinavia,. Content acquired worldwide rights to the film earlier this year.

Written and directed by David L G Hughes, the film is inspired by his international best-selling

short „A Girl With a Gun‟.

HARD BOILED SWEETS is a crime thriller starring Scot Williams (The Crew), Paul Freeman

(Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Long Good Friday, Hot Fuzz), Peter Wight (Another Year, Hot

Fuzz), Ian Hart (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Finding Neverland, Michael Collins),

Elizabeth Berrington (In Bruges, Secrets and Lies), Laura Greenwood (The Brothers Grimm)

and Philip Barantini (Band of Brothers, Ned Kelly).

Ex-con Johnny is forced into pulling a heist he wants nothing to do with. Mob boss „Shrewd‟

Eddie has one million in dirty cash stashed at his home, just waiting to be stolen. But what

Johnny doesn‟t know is that seven other very dangerous criminals also have plans to steal the

money…

The film is produced by Hughes and executive produced by Margaret Matheson (Skin Sleep

Furiously, Sid and Nancy, Scum).

The deal was negotiated by Harry White, Head of Sales at Content, and Jasper van Hecke,

International Acquisitions Manager at UPIE.

Content is selling the film at the AFM where the film will also have it‟s market premiere

screening.





22

About Content Film, a division of Content Media Corporation plc

Content Film is the worldwide film and library sales arm of Content Media Corporation plc. Content specializes in

high quality and commercial feature films, and is able to assist film producers in securing finance. Content handles

worldwide sales, marketing, and publicity on all titles. The Feature Film Library arm also manages international sales

on over 200 titles.

Content titles which premiered at the latest Toronto Film Festival include HICK starring Chloe Moretz, Blake Lively,

Eddie Redmayne, Alec Baldwin and Juliette Lewis, Nick Broomfield‟s latest documentary SARAH PALIN – YOU

BETCHA! and post-apocalyptic war action thriller THE DAY.

Other Content titles include the action thriller THE NUMBERS STATION starring John Cusack and Malin Akerman;

NOTHING TO FEAR - first of a slate of horror films produced by Slash, THE DALLAS BUYERS CLUB starring

Matthew McConaughey and Hillary Swank, Nicholas McCarthy‟s terrifying ghost story THE PACT starring Caity Lotz

and Casper Van Dien, LOVELY MOLLY from Sanchez (director of „The Blair Witch Project‟), the cult genre sequel

OUTPOST: BLACK SUN, THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER SOLD by Super Size Me‟s director Morgan Spurlock, the

Sundance selected bare Knuckle Fight Doc. KNUCKLE; the violent medieval action IRONCLAD starring James

Purefoy and Paul Giamatti; SXSW Winner 96 MINUTES starring Brittany Snow, and Xavier Gens‟ post apocalyptic

action thriller THE DIVIDE.

Content attends all major markets and festivals including Cannes, Venice, Toronto, AFM, Sundance and Berlin.

Content Film is being managed in an executive capacity by Jamie Carmichael, President - Film Division.

Press Contact Information for CONTENT

London Office Los Angeles Office 19 Heddon Street 225 Arizona Ave, Suite 250 W1B 4BG London, ENGLAND Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA t: 44 20 7851 6500 t: 1 310 576 1059 f: 44 20 7851 6506 f: 1 310 576 1859 www.contentmediacorp.com [email protected]


http://www.contentmediacorp.com/





23

FILMNATION ENTERTAINMENT‟S THE RAVEN AND

HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET TO SCREEN DURING AFM

FOR FIRST TIME TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS

Both Films Virtually Sold Out for International Territories

(Los Angeles, CA) November 3, 2011 – FilmNation Entertainment is screening their first two productions THE RAVEN and HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET during the American Film Market (AFM) for the first time to international buyers. FilmNation has secured sales for both titles in almost all international territories. In the US, Relativity Media will release the James McTeigue directed THE RAVEN which stars John Cusack and Luke Evans on March 9, 2012. Relativity Media also holds US rights to director Mark Tonderai‟s HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET starring Jennifer Lawrence, Max Thieriot, and Elisabeth Shue and will release on April 20, 2012. THE RAVEN has been sold to the following international distributors: Canada to VVS; UK, Spain, Benelux, Australia, NZ to NBC Universal; South Africa to Ster Kinekor; Germany to Square One Entertainment; Switzerland to Ascot-Elite; Italy to Eagle Pictures; Scandinavia to Nordisk; Greece to Odeon; Portugal to Lusomundo Audiovisuals; CIS to Top Film Distribution; Bulgaria, Czech/Slovak, Ex-Yugoslavia, Hungary, Poland, Romania to SPI; Iceland to Sam Films; Israel to LEV Cinemas; Middle East to Italia Film International; Turkey to TMC, Latin America to Sun Distribution Group; China to HGC; India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore to Multivision; Indonesia to PT Amero; South Korea to Noori Pictures; Taiwan to Studio Solution Group and Thailand to Sahamongkol Film International. HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET has been sold to the following international distributors: UK to Momentum Pictures; Australia to Roadshow Films; South Africa to Ster Kinekor; France to SND; Germany to Square One Entertainment; Switzerland to Ascot Elite; Italy to Eagle Pictures; Greece to Odeon; Portugal to Lusomundo Audiovisuals; Scandinavia to Nordisk; Benelux to Paradiso Film Entertainment; Iceland to Sam Films; Turkey to R Film; Ex-Yugoslavia to Cinemania; Eastern Europe to Eastern European Acquisition Pool; Middle East to Italia Film International; Latin America to Sun Distribution Group; China to HGC; Hong Kong, India, Pakistan, Singapore to WEG Entertainment; Indonesia to PT Amero; Japan to Pony Canyon; Malaysia and Philippines to Multivision; South Korea to Thomas Enterprise; Taiwan to Studio Solution Group and Thailand to HBO Pacific Partners. Glen Basner, CEO of FilmNation Entertainment remarked: “It‟s very encouraging to have domestic and international distributors in place on our first two productions. THE RAVEN andHOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET are well positioned with 2012 release dates which helps pave the way for our diverse production slate to follow.” In THE RAVEN, Edgar Allan Poe (John Cusack) joins forces with a young Baltimore detective (Luke Evans) to hunt down a mad serial killer who‟s using Poe‟s own works as inspiration for a string of brutal murders. In HOUSE AT THE END OF THE STREET Oscar® nominees Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: First Class, Winter's Bone, The Hunger Games) and Elisabeth Shue (Leaving Las Vegas, Piranha 3D) star in this edge-of-your seat thriller about a teenage girl and her divorced mom who move to a new town hoping for a fresh start. When they discover the house next door is the site of a grisly double murder and the daughter befriends the sole survivor of the massacre (Max Theriot, My Soul to Take) it becomes all too clear the story of the house's dark past is far from over.





24

FilmNation Entertainment is handling international sales for the following titles at AFM: The Comedian starring Robert De Niro and Kristen Wiig and to be directed by Sean Penn; Terrence Malick‟s recently announced next two projects, Lawless starring Ryan Gosling with a supporting cast that includes Academy Award winners Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett, plus Rooney and Haley Bennett, and Knight of Cups starring Christian Bale with Cate Blanchett and Isabel Lucas; Relativity Media‟s untitled Snow White project with Lily Collins and Julia Roberts; Oren Peli‟s untitled project; Zhang Yimou‟s epic The Flowers of War starring Christian Bale; Steven Soderbergh‟s Magic Mike starring Channing Tatum and Alex Pettyfer; Wettest County starring Shia LaBeouf; Looper starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt; Terrence Malick‟s untitled love story starring Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Rachel McAdams; Under the Skin with Scarlett Johannson; Crush starring Lucas Till and Midnight’s Children directed by Deepa Mehta and based on the novel by Salman Rushdie. About FilmNation Entertainment One of the leading independent international sales & distribution and production companies in the world, FilmNation Entertainment was founded in 2008 by veteran international sales executive Glen Basner. FilmNation handled international sales on Academy Award Best Picture winner The King’s Speech and is currently in production and fully financing the Untitled Oren Peli project; in production on Jeff Nichols‟ Mud starring Matthew McConaughey and Reese Witherspoon; in development on James McTeigue‟s Message from the King from writers Oliver Butcher and Stephen Cornwell; F*cking Engaged which will star Jessica Biel; The Faces to be directed by Paul Solet; The Amateur American directed by Ross Katz; and Guy Hibbert's screenplay Eye in the Sky with Oliver Hirschbiegel attached to direct. FilmNation has delivered on its philosophy of providing an unrivaled level of “added value” for its clients across all aspects of its business and serves as the exclusive international sales agent for Relativity Media, Media Rights Capital (MRC), Samuels Media Group, GreeneStreet Films and a non-exclusive multi-picture deal with Endgame Entertainment. For more information please go to: www.wearefilmnation.com or follow FilmNation on twitter http://twitter.com/wearefilmnation.


http://www.wearefilmnation.com/

http://twitter.com/wearefilmnation




25

WILD BUNCH ACQUIRES INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS TO GEOFFREY FLETCHER’S DIRECTORIAL DEBUT VIOLET & DAISY

Company plans to introduce the Saoirse Ronan – Alexis Bledel - James Gandolfini starrer this week at

the American Film Market

CAA selling North American Rights

New York, NY (November 2, 2011) – Wild Bunch has picked up International rights to Academy-Award winner Geoffrey Fletcher ’s directorial debut VIOLET & DAISY. The film had a rapturous response at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival when it screened as a work-in-progress, and Wild Bunch now plans to launch it at AFM to sell international rights. CAA is the domestic sales agent on the project. Fletcher also wrote the original screenplay of the film and produced along with Bonnie Timmermann. The Magic Violet and GreeneStreet Films production was Executive Produced by John Penotti and James Skotchdople, and stars Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan, Alexis Bledel, and James Gandolfini. The film was co-produced by Steve Kempf. The deal for VIOLET & DAISY was negotiated by Alain De La Mata and Agnes Mentre for Wild Bunch, with CAA on behalf of the filmmakers. Of the deal, Vincent Maraval of Wild Bunch says, “We fell in love with VIOLET & DAISY when it screened as a work-in-progress at Toronto . The film is so unusual and unique and we’re excited to be a part of it.” Of the deal, Fletcher says, “The guys at Wild Bunch are remarkable. They've worked with some really fantastic and daring movies over the years. I'm so excited to be teaming up with them."

VIOLET & DAISY is the whimsical story of a teenager's surreal and violent journey through New York City . It follows Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan (Hanna, Atonement, The Lovely Bones) as Daisy. With her volatile partner-in-crime Violet, played by Alexis Bledel (Sin City, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Gilmore Girls), the two young assassins face a series of opponents, including one unusually mysterious man (James Gandolfini), in a life-altering encounter. The film, written and directed by Oscar-winning screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher (Precious), also stars Oscar-nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Danny Trejo. About Wild Bunch

Wild Bunch is one of the world’s leading players in the field of international sales, its position strengthened by both a wealth of experience recognized by foreign distributors world-wide, and a broad, artistically diverse selection of the best of director-led international cinema. Currently handling an international sales catalogue of around 300 titles, Wild Bunch has established a reputation for both professionalism and provocation with distributors world-wide. Characterized by its diverse editorial policy, the company offers a constantly renewed and always innovative slate of films from all over the world: director-driven, art-house, genre or commercial; features, documentaries, regularly honored at both European and international festivals. Wild Bunch is also renowned for discovering - and developing ongoing relationships with - new and innovative directorial talent, having to date handled more than fifty first or second-time features.





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