Key Insights on Funding Film Festivals Discussed at the International Film Festival Summit Europe

The 2nd Annual International Film Festival Summit (IFFS) Europe (www.iffseurope.com) is taking place April 15-16, 2008, at The Cumberland Hotel in London. A significant contributor to film festivals is sponsorship and funding, and this concept is certainly a main focus of the IFFS Europe program. A key sponsorship panel highlights the first day of this year's Summit.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 13, 2008 -- The 2nd Annual International Film Festival Summit (IFFS) Europe (www.iffseurope.com) is taking place April 15-16, 2008, at The Cumberland Hotel in London.

A significant contributor to film festivals is sponsorship and funding, and this concept is certainly a main focus of the IFFS Europe program. A key sponsorship panel highlights the first day of this year's Summit.

The session - Funding Your Film Festival: Sponsorships, Government Funds, In Kind/Barter, Submission Fees, Distribution Deals & What Else? - includes the following panelists: Francesco di Cesare, Sponsorship Director, Venice Film Festival; Erich Schultz, Festival Director, London Independent Film Festival; Melanie Crawley, Marketing and Business Director, Sheffield Doc/Fest; and Sarah Smyth, Festival Operations Manager, Dublin International Film Festival.

These experienced individuals will discuss how the most important question facing film festivals today is "How Do I Fund My Film Festival?" Also, they will address different ways that leading festivals fund themselves, while talking about unique ways a festival can continue to grow its various sources of funding.

"Sponsorship is the lifeblood of film festivals. But sponsorship isn't about corporate charity, it's about selling a service to their marketing division," said Erich Schultz, Director of the London Independent Film Festival. "Until film festivals are ready to offer a package of professional service specifically tailored to corporate needs, they will continue to lose out in the sponsorship chase to better organized competitors, such as sporting events."

This highly anticipated panel will take place on Tuesday, April 15th at 11:00 am.

The Presenting Sponsor of the 2nd Annual IFFS Europe is Withoutabox, Inc.

The Platinum Sponsor of the 2nd Annual IFFS Europe is Babelgum.

Other Sponsors of IFFS Europe include IndiePix. Media and Association Partners of IFFS Europe include Cineuropa.org, FilmFestivals.com, FILM&FESTIVALS (formerly The FILMFESTIVAL Magazine), Film Threat, indieWIRE, NAMAC, New Producers Alliance, The Culture Business, The Filmlot, The Hollywood Reporter, The Reeler and Variety.

About International Film Festival Summit (IFFS):

The International Film Festival Summit is the only annual conference and trade show for professionals from the film festival industry. The IFFS provides a platform for the community to explore ways to collaborate and promote the advancement of the film festival industry. This is a place to dialogue with your peers, share insights and gain knowledge that will help you grow your film festival and foster sustainability. The IFFS is dedicated to providing resources, information and avenues of communication for industry professionals and the entertainment industry. For IFFS North America visit www.filmfestivalsummit.com. For IFFS Europe visit www.iffseurope.com.

Contact:

Chad Reott
chad@michaelbass.com
+1.330.294.0094

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