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Panel on Film Financing to Finish Independent Projects

Description

Panel on Film Financing to Finish Independent Projects

Image: Director Aisha Amin (NYC Women's Fund '22) on the set of “Choir,” Photo Credit: Giancarlo Anastasio

Finally gotten your film project off the ground, but still need money? Join NYFA for a virtual webinar and panel discussion all about financing your film to get your project to the finish line. Getting independent projects funded can sometimes be the most challenging part of the filmmaking process, especially for emerging artists, women or non-binary filmmakers, and artists of color.

While securing financing for an independent film often occurs before the cameras start rolling, the reality is that independent filmmakers can find themselves needing additional funds at any stage of the process. Whether your project requires finishing funds, money to cover unforeseen circumstances, or payment of deferred wages, this panel discussion will cover strategies, common issues, and important tips to help you raise funds to complete your film! The panel will reserve time for Q&A at the end of the discussion.

Participating panelists include Debra Zimmerman, Executive Director of Women Make Movies, Sofia Sondervan-Bild, Oscar-nominated producer at Dutch Tilt Film and instructor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and Leah Natasha Thomas, Creative Producer. The discussion will be moderated by Judith Kenny, Director of Academic Affairs & Operations for the Film Department at Brooklyn College.

This panel discussion is supported by the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) as part of the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre. For more information about this grant program, please visit www.NYFA.org/nycwomensfund.

Event Breakdown
What: Panel on Film Financing to Finish Independent Projects
When: Tuesday May 10, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EDT  
Where: Zoom webinar
Cost: Free 
Register: Click here to register. Once registered, you will receive a seperate email with the Zoom link one hour prior to the event. Note that registrations will close at 2:00 PM EDT on Tuesday, May 10. 

Questions: nycwomensfund@nyfa.org  

 

About our Panelists:

Sofia Sondervan-Bild is an Oscar Nominated producer. She most recently produced the Academy Award nominated “The Letter Room” by Elvira Lind starring Oscar Isaac which has played at more than 60 festivals and is currently playing on Topic. A native of The Netherlands, Sofia graduated with honors from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film and Television. She is a member of the Producers Guild Of America and New York Women in Film. She teaches Producing in the Undergraduate and Graduate Departments of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Leah Natasha Thomas is an award winning, multi-hyphenate artist, who works in both documentary and narrative. She is a writer, director and creative producer. She recently Executive Produced, THE FIRST WAVE, directed by Academy Award Nominee, Matthew Heineman, short listed for the Academy Awards and nominated for Outstanding Producer by the PGA. She is the producer of Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy. She is a member of BAFTA, the recipient of the NYU – Critical Collaborations Fellowship, the Sundance Creative Producer Fellowship and the Tribeca CHANEL Through Her Lens, Women Filmmakers Fellowship. She holds a BFA in Drama and Politics, and an MA, in Art and Public Policy, both from NYU-Tisch School of the Arts, where she leads a lecture series on Art and Activism.

Debra Zimmerman has been the Executive Director of Women Make Movies, a non-profit NY based social enterprising organization that supports women filmmakers, since 1983. During her tenure it has grown into the largest distributor of films by and about women in the world. She is in great demand around the world as a speaker on independent film distribution, marketing and financing as well as on women's cinema. She has moderated panels and given master classes at the Sundance and Toronto Film Festival’s IDA’s Getting Real conference as well as other events in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America.

About our Moderator: 

Judith Kenny is the Director of Academic Affairs & Operations for the Film Department at Brooklyn College, City University of New York, where she teaches courses within the Industry Studies track, focusing on the business aspect of film production. She has worked professionally as a producer, production manager and assistant director. 

 

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