MASTER WORKSHOP ON FUNDING, MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION OF INDEPENDENT FILMS

Sheffield Doc/Fest and The Channel 4 BRITDOC Foundation invite applications for a special 2-day workshop on the funding, marketing and distribution of independent films in London on Friday July 2nd and Saturday July 3rd.

This course is designed for independent filmmakers and artists determined to get their work seen widely, create social impact, and earn a living in the digital age. Leading distribution strategist and President of Paradigm Consulting Peter Broderick, and Sandi DuBowski, Director/Producer of Trembling Before G-d, Producer of A Jihad for Love, and Outreach Director for The Good Pitch, will present this two-day workshop.

Peter and Sandi will reveal the cutting-edge tools and techniques successful filmmakers are using around the world to:

• Develop creative fundraising campaigns
• Harness the Internet and social media to maximize audience participation and
networking opportunities
• Design customized distribution strategies to maximize revenue
• Implement outreach campaigns to create social impact
• Build a fan base to support future work

The workshop will feature multi-media presentations, breakout groups, and interactive sessions. The event is designed to maximise audience participation and interaction. There will be networking opportunities during coffee breaks, lunch, and throughout the 2 days. Everyone will have a chance to connect and lay the groundwork for future collaborations.

Topics will include:

• The future of distribution
• Turning movies into movements: targeting, engaging, and mobilizing audiences
• Maximizing financing and distribution: cutting-edge case studies
• The secrets of fundraising and marketing
• Harnessing the web

Peter and Sandi first launched this intensive two-day workshop at Doc Aviv in Tel Aviv. Since it was such a great success, they have received invitations to present it around the world. They have separately given presentations at Cannes, Toronto, Sundance, Berlin, Sydney, IDFA, HotDocs, and Rio de Janeiro. They have also consulted with hundreds of filmmakers, many of whom have won prizes at top film festivals, received critical acclaim, and achieved wide distribution. A number have been nominated for Academy Awards.

Prices for this workshop start at an earlybird £65 for the 2 days (£80/100 standard rate, £120 last minute places), which includes lunch and drinks:
EARLY BIRD RATE (Applications before April 30th) - 65 GBP
STANDARD RATE (Applications up until May 21st) - 80/100 GBP
LATE BIRD RATE (Applications up until June 11th) - 120 GBP
To apply please send a short proposal for a project you would like to work with at the workshop, along with a brief CV or bio, to charlie@sidf.co.uk by the dates above. Projects and filmmakers/artists can be factual or fiction, in any genre, and be designed for any platform. Applicants must be able to attend on both the 2nd and 3rd July.
For more information please see ...

Public Presentation

The workshop will be followed by a special public presentation at the Rio Cinema on July 4th. "Making and Raising Money Online" will be designed for workshop participants, as well as those who are unable to attend. Peter and Sandi will give a unique overview of the new models that filmmakers are using around the world to maximize revenue and audience. For more information or to purchase tickets (£15), please email charlie@sidf.co.uk