Apr 29, 2013
Artist Development
The San Francisco Film Society today announced the filmmakers and the films that will participate in the inaugural A2E: Artist to Entrepreneur programs at the 56th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 25-May 9). These 12 filmmaking teams will come together with trailblazing partners in the world of media technology at OnRamp (the A2E direct distribution lab), to confront the challenges facing artists today in getting their work seen, strategizing its positioning and monetizing it as lucratively as possible. Running May 2-5, A2E is the San Francisco Film Society’s signature program addressing filmmakers’ challenges head on, by creating an environment where moving-image artistry and entrepreneurial culture mutually flourish.
“If filmmakers are going to be able to pursue their unique visions, we must make sure they are equipped to connect their work with audiences as well,” said Ted Hope, executive director of the San Francisco Film Society. “SFFS is committed to serving artists through their entire process, and through the new partnerships we have established at A2E we are now able to team up with an incredible group of independent artists to help them find the best direct distribution model tailor-made for their project.”
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be taking part in this first edition of the Artist to Entrepreneur scheme,” said Olivier Kaempfer, UK-based producer of Borrowed Time. “To be exploring new and innovative distribution strategies with dynamic and like-minded filmmakers will be hugely stimulating, especially so under the guidance of Ted Hope, who was one of our main inspirations for the distribution route we’ve taken with Borrowed Time.”
OnRamp (the A2E direct distribution lab) will match participating filmmakers with previously-announced tech partners-including Vimeo, Cinedigm, IndieFlix, TopSpin and Tugg, among others-in an “open source” collaboration with direct distribution leaders and the developers of new digital tools to determine if direct distribution would be a viable financial and creative option for their projects. These sessions will produce tangible results in the form of case studies and project-specific business plans. At the end of the process, select projects committed to a direct distribution approach will be presented to potential funders and collaborators in the hope of making their engagement strategy a reality. In its inaugural year, OnRamp is open on an invitation-only basis to narrative filmmakers (documentaries will be considered for future sessions).
The group of films participating in the inaugural OnRamp program were selected in collaboration with A2E partners the British Film Institute, the Canadian Film Centre, Cinereach, Film Independent, Film London, Frameline, the Independent Filmmaker Project and the Sundance Institute.
OnRamp direct distribution consultants include many of the top leaders in the field, among them Peter Broderick, Paola Freccero, Dylan Marchetti, Steven Raphael, Jon Reiss, Shaady Salehi, Marc Schiller and Ruth Vitale.
Hope emphasized: “Self-distribution is not the same as direct distribution. You need a team to make direct distribution work. This strategy is all about filmmakers wanting to make sure they earn fair and maximum value for the work they have generated. For indies who want to build sustainable careers, they need to learn how to retain their rights in the most profitable manner possible. The team of consultants who are assisting with A2E OnRamp are a supergroup of direct distro rock stars!”
COMPLETE LIST OF A2E FILMS AND PARTICIPATING FILMMAKERS
1982 – Tommy Oliver (writer/director/producer/editor)
1982 tells the story of a black father whose wife succumbs to a crack cocaine addiction and his efforts to shield his 10-year-old daughter from the ill effects of having a drug addicted mother while trying to wean her off of her addiction. This project was supported by the San Francisco Film Society with a SFFS / KRF Filmmaking Grant.
Borrowed Time – Jules Bishop (writer/director) and Olivier Kaempfer (producer)
Borrowed Time tells the story of the unlikely friendship between a hapless young burglar and his eccentric victim. What emerges is a bittersweet comedy about growing up and rediscovering youth in parallel, as the burglar and victim form a bond that will help them both find a way out of their respective troubles. This project is supported by Film London and the British Film Institute.
Breakfast with Curtis – Laura Colella (writer/director/producer)
Syd, an eccentric bookseller with delusions of grandeur, caused a rift five years ago between the bohemian residents of his house and the family next door. Syd now tries to draft the boy next door, Curtis, as a creative collaborator, sparking big changes for everyone around them. This project is supported by Film Independent.
Car Dogs – Adam Collis (director/producer), Adam Robinson and David Breschel (coproducers)
In the scorching Arizona summer, Mark Chamberlain has 1 day to sell 19 cars-and finally free himself from his father’s grip. But is he willing to do whatever it takes?
The Cold Lands – Tom Gilroy (writer/director), Paul Mezey (producer) and Margaret Shafer (Cinereach consultant)
After his mother’s sudden death, a young boy disappears into the deep woods of upstate New York and takes up with an unpredictable and mysterious drifter. This project is supported by Cinereach.
Detroit Unleaded – Rola Nashef (writer/director/producer) and Leon Toomey (producer)
Detroit Unleaded is a slice-of-life romantic comedy about twenty-something second generation Arab Americans trapped within the confines of bulletproof glass. This project is supported by IFP.
The Happy Sad – Rodney Evans (director/producer/editor)
The Happy Sad is a feature-length drama that follows two couples, one black and one white, whose lives collide as they navigate open relationships and sexual identity. This project is supported by Frameline.
I Put a Hit on You – Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart (co-writer/directors), Jordan Gross (producer) and Mike MacMillan (producer)
I Put A Hit on You is a darkly comedic “lo-fi” romantic thriller about a brokenhearted woman that teams up with her ex-boyfriend to try and stop the hit man she accidentally hired to kill him. This project is supported by the Canadian Film Centre.
It Felt Like Love – Eliza Hittman (writer/director) and Laura Wagner (producer)
On the outskirts of Brooklyn, a 14-year-old’s sexual quest takes a dangerous turn when she pursues an older guy and is willing to do anything to get close to him. This project is supported by the Sundance Institute.
Obvious Child – Elisabeth Holm (producer)
In this subversive romantic comedy about growing up without regret, Donna Stern (Jenny Slate) gets dumped, fired, pregnant, and has the best worst Valentine’s Day of her life.
Ping Pong Summer – George Rush (producer)
A family vacation during the summer of 1985 changes everything for a teenage boy obsessed with Ping-Pong. This project was supported by the San Francisco Film Society with a SFFS / KRF Filmmaking Grant.
Pit Stop – Jonathan Duffy (producer)
Two men. A small town. A love that isn’t quite out of reach. Recovering from an ill-fated affair with a married man, Gabe finds solace in the relationship he maintains with his ex-wife and daughter. On the other side of town, Ernesto evades life at home with his current live-in ex-boyfriend by spending much of his spare time in the hospital with an ailing past love. This project is supported by the Sundance Institute.
A2E: Artist to Entrepreneur is committed to providing artists with entrepreneurial skills and bringing them together with leaders in technology, engagement and investment in order to make independent filmmaking a more sustainable and profitable enterprise for artist, industry, financier and audience. The cinematic landscape has changed-new technology has removed almost all barriers to access yet increasingly fragmented audiences are faced with an overwhelming abundance of content. Through A2E, the San Francisco Film Society leads the charge in developing new tools, strategies and practices for moving-image artists in conjunction with key players in the tech world and financial backers in the investment community, so all parties involved can prosper in the emerging terrain together.
For more information visit festival.sffs.org.
56th San Francisco International Film Festival
The 56th San Francisco International Film Festival runs April 25-May 9 at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, the Castro Theatre and New People Cinema in San Francisco and the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley. Held each spring for 15 days, the International is an extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery and innovation in one of the country’s most beautiful cities, featuring 200 films and live events, 14 juried awards and $70,000 in cash prizes, upwards of 100 participating filmmaker guests and diverse and engaged audiences with more than 70,000 in attendance.