The Global Film Village

Film Execs look at the state of Indie Distribution

// January 27th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Industry Trends

by Marc Halperin

The Sundance Film Festival is in full swing, some  films are being bought and others are not. Understanding the reasons for these decisions is critical for independent filmmakers.  Film Independent recently produced a round table that focused on indie distribution. It’s an offshoot from their Filmmaker Forum, which was held over an entire weekend in early October. This discussion looked at the economics of distribution; traditional, DIY, and digital strategies. The panelists also addressed the state of film distribution: past, present, and future. Their goal throughout this series was to give filmmakers the unvarnished truth and to look at the industry as it exists. It was Moderated by: Tom Bernard, Co-President, Sony Pictures Classics. Panelists included: Jonathan Sehring, President, IFC Entertainment, Tony Safford, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Acquisitions, Fox Searchlight, Udi Epstein, 7th Art , Jeff Dowd, Producer’s Rep and Eamonn Bowles, President, Magnolia Pictures. (more…)

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo wins Palm Springs Film Festival Audience Award

// January 18th, 2010 // Comments Off // Film Festivals

by Marla Lewin

The 21st Palm Springs Film Festival concluded Sunday with its awards luncheon  at Spencer’s Restaurant.  The wrap party followed later that night at the Spa Casino. The Palm Springs Film Festival Mercedes-Benz Audience Award  went to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo which sold out its single screening during the first weekend. Film was the most buzzed about feature because of its early sell-out. From the best-selling novel, this gripping thriller brings to mind both The Silence of the Lambs and Se7en in its tale of an investigative journalist trying to crack a 40-year-old murder that may have been the work of a still-at-large serial killer.

Darryl MacDonald announced “Record attendance, supremely smooth operations and enormously positive audience and industry feedback made this year’s Festival an unqualified success on every level. In a year when so many festivals worldwide are reeling from the double whammy of falling ticket sales and diminishing sponsorships, it’s hugely heartening to see Palm Springs reverse that trend and enliven audiences into the bargain.” Proving less is more with 187 films screened from 69 countries. During previous years the festival had screened as many as 50 more titles but this year with fewer films they had the opportunity to repeat more films to suit audience demand.

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ellsberg at the Regal Cinema Palm Springs, CA photo by Marc Halperin

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers won the Audience Award for documentary feature. (more…)

JAMES BOND: 
Behind the scenes with the Secret Agent

// December 26th, 2009 // Comments Off // Industry Event

by Marc Halperin

The USC School of Cinematic Arts and
Visions and Voices and The USC Arts & Humanities Initiative in conjunction with Danjaq and Eon Productions presented a special program taking us behind the scenes of the world’s most well known secret agent on the 6 through the 8th of November,  2009. Nine of the popular films were shown during three days and two panel discussions were presented with stars and members of the production team. This was a tribute to the man who started it all  Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli. For almost 50 years, the name “Cubby” Broccoli has been synonymous with the most prolific and longest running film franchise in cinema history, Ian Fleming’s James Bond series.

James Bond Today was a conversation about James Bond in the 21st century, featuring family members and Bond Franchise Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, Screenwriters Robert Wade and Neal Purvis (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace), and Director Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace). Moderated by SCA Professor Rick Jewell. I was not able to attend this discussion.

Sunday the panel was Cubby Broccoli, Producer a conversation about legendary Bond franchise producer Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli in celebration of his centennial, featuring family members Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, Screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz (Live and Let Die, The Man with the Golden Gun), Actor Richard Kiel (“Jaws” in The Spy Who Loved Me, and Moonraker) and Actress Maud Adams (“Octopussy” in Octopussy, The Man With the Golden Gun). Moderated by SCA Professor Rick Jewell. (more…)