Alternative Distribution Methods and Impact on Film Festivals and Filmmakers Focus of 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. In this age of the Internet, various technologies and a multitude of new media outlets; alternative distribution methods are playing significant roles with filmmakers and film festivals. This is an important discussion that will take place at the IFFS Europe. The session - Alternative Distribution: New Opportunities for Festivals and Filmmakers - includes the following panelists: Claudio Scotto di Carlo, Chief Editor of Babelgum; Elliot Grove, the Founder and Director of the Raindance Film Festival; Michael Cowan, the Co-Founder & Managing Director and Joint CEO of Spice Factory and Velvet Octopus, respectively; and Bob Alexander, the President of IndiePix.

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 26, 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.

In this age of the Internet, various technologies and a multitude of new media outlets; alternative distribution methods are playing significant roles with filmmakers and film festivals. This is an important discussion that will take place at the IFFS Europe.

The session - Alternative Distribution: New Opportunities for Festivals and Filmmakers - includes the following panelists: Claudio Scotto di Carlo, Chief Editor of Babelgum; Elliot Grove, the Founder and Director of the Raindance Film Festival; Michael Cowan, the Co-Founder & Managing Director and Joint CEO of Spice Factory and Velvet Octopus, respectively; and Bob Alexander, the President of IndiePix.

Film buffs are suddenly eager to watch movies on all kinds of new platforms - whether PCs, cell phones, portable devices, or on television sets linked to the Internet. Some festivals have experimented with making shorts and features available on these platforms for a limited time, expanding their audience reach. But filmmakers can be skittish, worrying that this new digital availability might damage their movie's value in the marketplace.

"The new internet distribution platforms are an exciting opportunity for independent filmmakers," said panelist Elliot Grove, founder of the Raindance Film Festival. "Everyone is talking about IPTV. Now is the time for film festivals to get a strategy together, and maximise the value of this brand new delivery medium."

The unique and established group of panelists will discuss how festivals and filmmakers can work together to address the challenges and take advantage of the new opportunities that alternative channels of distribution create.

This highly insightful panel will take place on Tuesday, April 15th at 1:15 pm.

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 and the NEB.

Media and Association Partners of IFFS Europe include The Culture Business, Cineuropa.org, Fest21.com, FilmFestivals.com, FILM&FESTIVALS (formerly The FILMFESTIVAL Magazine), Film Threat, indieWIRE, NAMAC, New Producers Alliance, ProductionHUB, Screen South, Screen Yorkshire, South West Screen, 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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