Independent Film Summit on the Hill 2009
Filmmakers come have your Mr. Smith moment in Washington, DC. This is an opportunity for filmmakers to converge on Capitol Hill for a morning of panels and individual sessions with members of Congress and their staff, focusing on issues of particular importance to the industry. This is the only venue for independent filmmakers and policy makers to discuss and propose initiatives that will help to produce films in the United States. The Independent Film Summit on the Hill is presented by the Washington, DC Independent Film Festival (www.dciff.org) and hosted by The Congressional Entertainment Industries Caucus. |
Independent Film Summit 2009 Committee:
- Director of Government Relations: Deirdre Evans-Pritchard
- Nina Streich, "Filmmakers on the Hill" advisor
- Carol Bidault, Executive Director and Founder, DCIFF
March 4, 2009:Hosted by: The Congressional Entertainment Industries Caucus - Confirmed Speakers & Participants: (See Below) Wednesday, March 4
Summit: “Filmmakers on the Hill”
Location: Capitol Hill – Rayburn Building Room 2203
Tickets: Free
“Filmmakers on the Hill” is a free public event held annually on Capital Hill in March. Formerly known as Advocacy Day, this Summit provides leading industry, legal and government experts the opportunity to discuss key issues that impact the independent film and media industry. In the past the panels covered varied subjects including: How to stimulate independent Film Production in the U.S and the current issues facing independent and visual media artists in the United States; distribution issues and copyright licensing issues will be discussed; Tax incentives, run-away production and economic impact of independent film production in the U.S. and the role of governments in film production.
9am Breakfast (Invitation only)
10:00 - 11:15am: Session I:
A discussion of the ways in which American independent film strengthens the U.S. economy both domestically and abroad and is integral to the artistic and cultural profile of the United States. This industry is also an incubator for forward-looking digital innovation and technological advances. Considering its economic impact and cultural breadth in the global digital era, can legislation protect and nourish independent filmmaking and media? Data and research will be presented.
11:30am. – 1:00pm: Session II:
The challenges of making independent filmmaking sustainable by discussing options, incentives and realities under the umbrella of small business, taxes, distribution and location production costs. In particular, independent filmmaking is a potential engine of small business growth. The discussion will take on existing issues and creative ways of conceptualizing independent filmmaking in the context of state/government involvement and incentives.
Confirmed Speakers & Participants:
Congresswoman Diane E Watson, 33rd California Congressional District
Lloyd Kaufman: a prolific writer, director, producer, and co-founder of Troma, the oldest independent movie studio. His film, the Toxic Avenger, is an American icon that has spun off into 3 sequels, a cartoon, and a musical which will open in New York in April. Mr. Kaufman is active in the film industry, with TromaDance held in Park City and as President of IFTA…and his advocacy for the independent is unparalleled.
Carol Balassa, Senior Fellow, Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy, Vanderbilt University
Carol Bidault, Executive Director and Founder, DCIFF
Andy Edmunds, Virginia Film Office
Deirdre Evans-Pritchard, Director of Government Relations:
Connie Day-McClinton, Interface Group
Jon Gann, Filmmaker and DC Shorts Festival Director
Jack Gerbes, Director, Department of Business and Economic Development, Maryland Film Office
Jeremy Gilley, Independent Filmmaker, Recipient of the Cinema for Peace Award at the Cinema for Peace 2009 for his film Peace One Day.North American Premiere at DCIFF, March 4th, 3009.
Melissa Houghton, Executive Director, Women in Film and Video, Washington D.C.
Alexandra Kerry, Film Producer
Rosemary Levy, Business Affairs, IATSE (the Union of professional stagehands, motion picture technicians, and allied crafts)
Jane Love, Governmental Affairs, SAG/AFTRA
Doug Maddox, Member Producers Guild of America
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