The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and Shooters present 'Short Sighted', intensive days and sessions devoted to helping you get your short film exhibited and distributed.
"Short Sighted was a very informative, up to date overview and insight into the constantly evolving short film industry. Having managed to have my short film screened in several festivals, online and in galleries internationally, and won a couple of awards, I wondered what else there was to know. I couldn't have been more wrong: after Sunday I now know I am just warming up and, if I put into action just some of the industrious tips and strategies suggested by the esteemed and highly knowledgeable panel, the best days are definitely ahead." (Karen Palmer, director).
* Shooting People is taking to the stage at the Encounters Festival in November, in two Short Sighted-inspired events.
Both are on Thursday 20 November, in Cinema Three, Watershed, Bristol, cost £6/£4.50, and are selling fast:
Brands and Filmmakers - shall we dance?'
Shooting People's Creative Director James Mullighan hosts this exploration of trends and techniques in involving brands in film and television making. More info.Digital Distribution - A Peek into the Crystal Ball
Shooting People's Creative Director James Mullighan leads this group effort to get to the facts of digital distribution. How, when, where and why to place your film: possibilities, platforms, pitfalls, players and revenue generators. More info
The inaugural Short Sighted event took place on Sunday 14 September, at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, Central London. Shooting People and BAFTA members paid only £15. 120 people attended the sold out event. They all enjoyed coffee, lunch, wine and a Little Black Book of useful contacts, resources and websites.
You can download the Book here.
It was a whole day event of sessions, workshops, surgeries and networking opportunities aimed at those who have made a short film, and want to know what to do next. Already confirmed are MySpace, YouTube, Shorts International, Encounters, British Council, Film London, Filmaka, Cinelan, Daily Motion and BT Vision to name a few of many.
The sessions covered every step in the process of getting your film out to an audience and the people who might fund future work, from maximising your film's festival life to knowing the inside story on traditional short film sales to TV and DVD. The day also helped you judge when and where to put your film online, and looked at where short film exhibition in headed in this digital age, and asked if it just might start to generate revenue for filmmakers.
Get your short film seen
by the people who matter.
Are you coming to Power to the Pixel?
You should be. More info
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"The event was motivating due to the knowledge of panel members as well as the clever filmmakers attending. Shooting People is 'as yellow as the generosity of a pineapple'." (Tontxi Vazquez, writer/producer)
Schedule
09:30 - 10:00 Registration and coffee
10:00 - 10:15 Welcome/intro
10:15 – 11:15 Film Festivals:
Festivals are the cornerstone of short film exhibition. Plan your approach to get the most from your Festival run and lay a solid foundation for the rest of your distribution strategy. The speakers were Christine Bardsley (British Council), Philip Ilson (London Film Festival, London Short Film Festival) and Mark Cosgrove (Encounters and Watershed).
11:30 – 12:30 Case Study One
Tinge Krisnan (dir. Shadowscan) in conversation with Liz Harkman (Managing Director, Encounters).
12:30 – 13:30 Networking lunch
13:30 – 14:30 Sales Agents and Traditional Platforms:
This session examined the past and present TV, Theatrical and DVD landscape, looking at key players, current buyers and future trends. The speakers were Chris Tidman (Shorts International), Ben Blaine (filmmaker, Charlie Productions) and Ed Sayers (Straight8).
14:30 – 15:30 New Distribution Channels:
A look at how VOD, the internet and personal video have revolutionised access to short films online, and allowed filmmakers to reach a wider audience than ever. The speakers were Katherine Simpson (Current TV), Vivi Mellegard (Babelgum), Digby Lewis (Daily Motion), the indefatigable Chris Tidman (Shorts International), whilst Messrs. Blaine and Sayers heckled from the floor.
15:45 – 16:30 Legal Surgery:
BAFTA's Christine Gasberg gave a basic tour of key contractual terms, and answered common legal questions on short film contracts. It actually became quite lively.
16:30 – 17:15 Case Study Two:
Vito Rocco. MySpace's James Fabricant (MySpace) and Maggie Ellis (Film London) led a discussion on the brief and spectacular career of Goodbye Cruel World and Faintheart director Vito Rocco.
17:15 – 18:15 Future Trends and Revenue:
The speakers were Laura Macdonald (Filmaka), Jamie Dolling (YouTube UK), Jeremy Boxer (Cinelan) and Jolyon Rubinstein (Disruptive), with valuable contributions from Maggie Ellis from the floor.