October 5, 2007

Savannah College of Art and Design and Partners Launch Savannah Film Festival Conference for Entertainment Investing

Savannah, Ga. - The Savannah College of Art and Design, Ariel Savannah Angel Partners, and The Creative Coast Initiative announced the first-ever Savannah Film Festival Conference for Entertainment Investing, Oct. 27 and 28 at The Marshall House, 123 E. Broughton St.
The conference features four sessions led by investing experts:
 
Session One: “Feature Film Financing: What You Should Know Before You Invest”
This session features an overview of the entertainment industry with panelists identifying a variety of film financing opportunities. The panel discusses typical and atypical investments and their outcomes, and provides attendees with a general understanding of financing products.
 
Session Two: “Investment Opportunities and Revenue Streams”
This session discusses a variety of different entertainment products, the current analysis of each opportunity, as well as limitations of each opportunity and the reality of investing in the various projects.
 
Session Three: “How to Participate in Film Financing” and “Understanding Film Production and Distribution” (concurrent)
This session features two concurrent panels that provide an overview of the production process, highlighting key financial and creative points along the way. This session is designed to give the investor a greater understanding of the production process with an emphasis on the producer’s role and responsibilities to the production and its investors.
 
Session Four: “Return on Investment: What to Expect”
This session closes with a summary panel that provides insight on film financing, maximizing incentives and the realities of investing in entertainment projects.
 
Session presenters include Richard Soames, president of Film Finances, Inc.; Joe Woolf, managing director for entertainment finance for CarVal Investors; Richard Turner, senior vice president of business affairs and general counsel for Starz Entertainment; and entertainment attorney Michael Adler. Other presenters will be announced upon confirmation.
 
The conference registration fee is $50, and registration forms can be downloaded online at www.scad.edu/filmfest. Completed registration forms can be faxed to 912.525.5052. Registration is also available by phone at 912.525.5050 or online at www.scadboxoffice.com.

The registration fee includes admittance to the opening night activities of the Savannah Film Festival Oct. 27, featuring Lifetime Achievement Award presentations to two-time Academy Award-winning actor Michael Douglas and noted thespian siblings Vanessa, Lynn, and Corin Redgrave at Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St.
 
The fee also includes a luncheon Oct. 28 at The Marshall House and admittance to the Savannah Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to Academy Award-winning director Milos Forman at Trustees Theater.
 
Conference registration closes Oct. 20 and is limited to the first 60 paid registrants.