Future of film ruminated at Cannes conference

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are due to grace the red carpet at the world’s most glamorous film festival but the films they star in would never make it to the big screen without the necessary funding and distribution.

The industry is currently witnessing radical transformation with new forms of investment and creative means of diffusion making the ICC 21st Annual Conference on International Audiovisual Law a must for anyone involved in the film industry wishing to keep up to date with the latest business, legal and technical knowledge regarding finance and distribution.

Central to the morning discussions will be topics ranging from the reform of institutional financing to new trends in private financing. The afternoon session will focus on new distribution methods, including the impact of the development of Video on Demand, digital cinema and new portable media devices. The multi-affects of the Mulholland Drive case will also be discussed

“While judges deliberate over which film to award the prestigious Palme d’Or, behind the scenes issues of critical importance to the future of the industry will be being chewed over at this reputable conference,” said Laetitia de Montalivet, Director of ICC Events.

The conference Film Finance and Distribution: what’s new? will take place under the auspices of the ICC Institute of World Business Law on 18 May. Conference participants benefit from free access to all Marché du Film facilities on 17 and 18 May 2007, and may register for the rest of the festival at a discounted rate.

“Nothing beats the ICC audiovisual law conference in Cannes each year and I look forward to this year’s gathering,” said Ted Shapiro, Deputy Managing Director, VP & General Counsel – Europe, Motion Picture Association European Office, Belgium. “I can think of no better venue to get to grips with the latest legal issues affecting the film industry?”