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10+
speakers
Speakers will include experienced film producers, financiers and sales agents, distributors and marketing experts from both the US & UK who will all share their unique perspective on the best way to fund and distribute a profitable independent film.
3
DAYS
The 3 day conference will be packed with hyper-focused and interactive talks and seminars demystifying the film funding and distribution process.
1000+
ATTENDEES
With 1000+ attendees and interactive networking breakout rooms and groups, this will be an excellent opportunity to make connections with fellow filmmakers.
Looking to learn how to fund and distribute your next film?
The Global Film Funding & Distribution Conference is the event you don’t want to miss! Over three action-packed days, you'll experience a wealth of seminars, talks, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Our mission is to offer real-world, practical advice you can immediately apply to your indie filmmaking journey. Whether you're based in the US, UK, or anywhere else, you’ll walk away with a deep understanding of how the film industry operates, the different funding and distribution pathways available, and which strategies are best suited for your specific project.
Meet Some of Our Speakers
Speakers will include experienced film producers, financiers, distributors and marketing experts from both the US & UK who will all share their unique perspective on the best way to fund and sell a film.
SHANE STANLEY
Shane Stanley is a multi-Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and best-selling author with over 35 years of hands-on experience in producing and directing motion pictures. Best known for Gridiron Gang starring Dwayne Johnson and Night Train, Hulu’s longest running #1 hit, he has navigated both studio projects and indie films with great success. His book, What You Don’t Learn in Film School, offers practical advice drawn from real-world experiences, making it a staple for filmmakers looking to finance and distribute their projects. Shane regularly shares his insights at film festivals and industry events, focusing on innovative strategies for securing funding and distribution deals.
MARC CLEBANOFF
Marc Clebanoff, a graduate of the USC School of Cinema-Television, is an award-winning filmmaker and global sales agent, and the managing member of Odyssey Motion Pictures. Clebanoff consulted for the producers and director for three years on the Quentin Tarantino produced Sundance darling Hell Ride before establishing his own company and directing indie feature films including Unspoken and The Pink Conspiracy. Clebanoff has consulted for AAA entertainment companies including Activision Blizzard, Universal Music Group and ITV America. Clebanoff is also a founding partner of Indie Film Ins & Outs, an online educational program designed to teach filmmakers the ins and outs of global distribution.
JUSTIN GIDDINGS
Justin Giddings is an award-winning actor and filmmaker who found creative freedom in crowdfunding. After becoming the “go-to guy” for crowdfunding advice, Justin combined his background in marketing with his experience in crowdfunding and launched www.TheKickstarterGuy.com. To date, he has coached over 325 filmmakers, raised $11 million, and has a success rate of 97%.
JEROME COURSHON
Jerome Courshon is a seasoned film distributor with over two decades of experience helping filmmakers navigate the complexities of releasing their films. His deep knowledge of the industry has led to the successful distribution of numerous independent films across various platforms, from theatrical releases to streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon. Courshon’s expertise in both traditional and digital distribution models has made him a trusted partner for filmmakers aiming to maximize their films' visibility and profitability. His hands-on approach has helped secure deals and elevate the careers of countless indie filmmakers.
SARAH CLINGENPEEL
Sarah Clingenpeel is the Vice President of Marketing for Terror Films, a company specializing in the distribution of independent horror films. With extensive experience in film marketing, Sarah has overseen successful promotional campaigns for numerous genre films, maximizing their visibility across both traditional and digital platforms. She is particularly skilled in leveraging social media, influencer outreach, and strategic partnerships to build anticipation for film releases. At Terror Films, Sarah's work ensures that each project reaches its target audience while optimizing its commercial potential.
ZB SIWEK
ZB is the founder of Cine Circle an executive producer and head of the Cine Circle Film Fund Power by Genera Films. ZB is also the ex Head of Marketing at StoryTerrace where he gained a enormous amount of experience in connecting with various audiences and converting them into customers.
Talks & Topics
FINDING PRIVATE INVESTORS
Have you ever wondered how to find and approach private investors? And once you find one what are they actually looking for? What can you expect when you manage to book in a pitch session with an investor and how should you prepare? At what stage should you even start to look for one? We'll cover all of this in a hyper-focused session on finding and securing private investment for film.
PRE-SALES
We'll explain how pre-sales work from a legal perspective and what to look out for. We'll also discuss some of the most effective strategies for approaching sales agents and locking in a pre-sale deal.
LEARN FILM FUNDING
INTERNATIONAL FILM FUNDS
We'll run through a variety of film funds that exist for short and feature films and how to apply to maximise your chances of success.
TAX CREDITS & REBATES
In this section we'll discuss how tax incentives work in various different countries, how to apply for them and what the requirements are. We'll also discuss international tax credits and how they work.
WHAT MAKES A MARKETABLE FILM?
Learn the key elements that make a film attractive to investors and audiences, from genre and cast to budget and story. Understand what drives market demand and how to position your film for success.
FILM PR & MARKETING
Effective promotion is critical to a film's success. Discover strategies to build buzz, craft a compelling brand, and leverage PR to maximize your film’s visibility before and after release.
ACQUIRING SALES AND DISTRIBUTION DEALS
Securing the right distribution is essential to reaching your audience. Gain insights into how to attract sales agents, negotiate deals, and position your film for a successful release.
FILM FESTIVAL STRATEGIES
Film festivals can be key to launching an indie film. Learn how to target the right festivals, maximize exposure, and use the festival circuit as a stepping stone to distribution deals and critical acclaim.
But don't just take our word for it!
ABOUT CINE CIRCLE
At Cine Circle over the last 6 years we've run 150+ events with 35,000+ attendees who are all filmmakers and creatives. Our speakers have included some of the most experienced professionals in the field including the ex Marketing Director of Paramount Pictures and the founder of the Filmmaker's Podcast. We are fully dedicate to teaching filmmakers the business side of the industry including film funding, distribution and career development.
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