NYIFF 2016

New York Indian Film Festival 2016: INDUSTRY PANELS
Friday May 13, 2016
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Theatre 5, Village East Cinema, 2nd Ave @ 12th Street, NYC.

Tickets: $25 general admission; $20 IAAC members

11:00 am Registration

11:30 am – 1:00 pm Distribution: traditional and creative

Film Distribution has traditionally been handled by big studios who plan a marketing strategy to distribute films in movie theatres either nationally or in specific areas followed by TV programs thru broadcast syndication, DVD, VOD. Today, with myriad filmmakers with smaller budgets jostling for space and visibility, as well as a definite recognition of Independent Cinema, numerous new creative distribution strategies are popping up on a daily basis: counter programming, internet release, digital distribution, four-walling, direct download, youtube, streaming, direct to video and several other out-of-the-box strategies designed to give filmmakers visibility and get their movies before audiences.

With an abundance of Indian product to choose from, and a potentially vast South Asian audience at their disposal, it would appear that U.S. distributors have enormous opportunities when it comes to releasing Indian films in America. However, while there are very exciting technological developments that make it easier than ever to communicate about these films, there are still a number of cultural barriers and strongly-held traditions that prevent many worthy new Indian films from coming here--or from reaching a sufficiently diverse audience once they do. In this conversation, distributors will discuss how Indian films make their passage to America these days, and will share some of their adventures, misadventures, travails, and triumphs bringing Indian films, of all shapes and sizes, to U.S. Moviegoers.

Panelists: Ken Naz, Eros, Emily Russo, Zeitgiest Films; Elliot Kanbar, Cinemaflix Distribution; Jaideep Janakiram, SONY Pictures.

1:00 – 2:00 pm Lunch

2:15 – 3:15 pm Shooting in New York State

Meet Jerry Stoeffhaas & Kathryn Fisher from the New York State Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development for a roundtable discussion of all things productive re: producing in New York State – tax credits, location scouting, finding stages and crew, and more. Whether you’re a first time filmmaker wondering where to start or a veteran producer looking to catch up on the latest, this informal face-to-face Q&A is an invaluable opportunity to Meet Team NY and hear firsthand about all the great things New York State has to offer.

3:30 – 4:30 pm Shooting in New York City

Join Jorge Hernandez, Director of Marketing, The Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment, as he discusses everything your production needs to know about making a film in New York City. Learn about incentives, discounts, location information and general permits with this brief presentation and Q&A.