IndependentFilm.com

MIAMI, February 20, 2007 – The Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), presented by Miami Dade College (MDC), announced today the schedule for the REEL Education Seminars Series. Miami Dade College and the University of Miami School of Communication present a week of 26 informative panels and workshops to educate and entertain as part of the Miami International Film Festival, March 2-11, 2007. Seminars are held at MDC’s Wolfson and North Campuses, the University of Miami and the host hotel for the Festival, The Shore Club.

“This is the most extensive series of seminars and panels we have ever had,” said Festival Director, Nicole Guillemet. “The industry panelists and moderators bring their invaluable wealth of knowledge and experience to this series. Providing educational and career-building opportunities for both the student community and the adult professional community is an integral part of our mission.”

The REEL Education Seminar Series features film industry leaders and noted filmmakers as they share their experience, knowledge, and advice in a series of twenty-six panels covering various aspects of the creative process, film production, distribution, new technology and independent filmmaking. The REEL Education Seminar series is also sponsored in part by Eastman Kodak Entertainment Imaging, BMI, SagIndie, The Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment, and Entertainment Partners.

Panelists include executives from MTV Networks, Telemundo Network NBC Universal, The Collective, Endeavor Independent, United Talent Agency, Big Beach Films, Silverwood Films, Latino Public Broadcasting, Emerging Pictures, Netflix, Jaman, Sundance Institute, CineVegas, Movieola, Silver Screen Classics, Kodak, American Documentary P.O.V., National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), Panamax Films, DreamWorks, MPAA, MIRAVISTA, Warner Bros International, Sony Latin America, Screen International, Variety, Submarine Entertainment, THINKFilm, HBO, ITVS, Ghost Robot, This Is That, Belladonna Productions, Required Viewing, IFC, Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Rogue Pictures, Paramount Vantage and Warner Independent Films.

SEMINARS & SCHEDULE:

The Student’s Guide to Entering the Creative Industry
Meet Human Resource personnel, recruiters and other execs from various aspects of the entertainment industry. Get your foot through the door and step inside the creative industry!
Location: University of Miami School of Communication, International Bldg., Room 3053 – Shojaee Hall
Date: Friday, March 2nd, 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Moderator: Dr. Sam Grogg – Dean, School of Communication, University of Miami
Panelists include: Jose Andino – Director Human Resources, Telemundo Network NBC Universal; Suzanne Rosenthal – Director of College Relations, MTV Networks; Jeff Rosenfeld – Founder & Chairman, Force One Entertainment Inc.

The Student’s Guide to Entering the Creative Industry
Location: Miami Dade College, North Campus, Room 2147
Date: Friday, March 2, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Moderator: Ron Fenster – Director, School of Entertainment and Design Technology, Miami Dade
College
Panelists include: Jose Andino – Director Human Resources, Telemundo Network NBC
Universal Please; Suzanne Rosenthal – Director of College Relations, MTV

Agents, Packaging & Financing – At What Stage Do I Look for Representation?
This informative seminar will help you determine at what stage to begin financing your next project and how, when to look for an agent or manager and whether they can help you package the project – from talent to pre-sales to equity.
Location: University of Miami School of Communication, International Bldg., Room 3053 – Shojaee Hall
Date: Saturday, March 3rd, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Moderator: Tom Garvin – Thomas F.R. Garvin P.C.
Panelists include: Shaun Redick – Manager, The Collective; Roeg Sutherland – Agent, Creative Artists Agency (CCA); Graham Taylor – Agent, Endeavor Independent; Keya Khayatian – Motion Picture Literary Agent, United Talent Agency

Pitch to the Pros – Writing Treatments That Sell
Think you’ve got what it takes to go pro? Learn how to perfect your pitch and write treatments and scripts that speak to the industry. Get tips from story editors, lit agents and production executives.
Location: University of Miami School of Communication, International Bldg., Room 3053 – Shojaee Hall
Date: Saturday, March 3rd, 12:30 – 2:00 PM
Moderator: Tom Garvin – Thomas F.R. Garvin P.C.
Panelists include: Michelle Raimo – Producer; Jeb Brody – Partner/Executive Producer, Big Beach Films; Jon Huddle – Motion Picture Agent, United Talent Agency; Lynette Howell – Producer, Silverwood Films

Producing for Public Television Seminar & One-On-One Pitching Sessions with Latino Public Broadcasting
Find out how the public television arena works and which tools are needed to get your idea from a concept to contract to broadcast. Learn about the basics of public television, proposal writing, getting your program to air and working with your local station.
Location: Miami Dade College, North Campus, Room 2147
Date: Saturday, March 3rd, 2:30 – 5:30 PM
Moderator: Luis Ortiz – Managing Director, Latino Public Broadcasting
Panelists include: Ela Troyano – LPB funded director/producer; Neal Hecker – Assistant Vice President for Programming Services, WPBT

Alternative Methods of Distribution
Straight-to-DVD, college circuits, online, mobile and VOD—learn about options for alternative distribution, non-conventional programming and DIY distribution.
Location: University of Miami School of Communication, International Bldg., Room 3053 – Shojaee Hall
Date: Sunday, March 4th, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Moderator: Ira Deutchman – President & CEO, Emerging Pictures
Panelists include: Bahman Naraghi – Head of Red Envelope Entertainment, Netflix, Inc.; David Gale – Executive Vice President, MTV Networks; Carlos Montalvo – Senior Vice President of Operations, Jaman; Nina Spensley – Producer/Project Manager, Sundance Institute Global Short Film Project

Shorts: Making Award-Winning Shorts, Submitting to Festivals & Distribution Alternatives
Make your next short your best film yet. Get an insight to making award-winning shorts from award-winning directors. Learn which festivals are right for you and how to get your name and project out there.
Location: University of Miami School of Communication, International Bldg., Room 3053 – Shojaee Hall
Date: Sunday, March 4th, 12:30 – 2:00 PM
Moderator: Mike Plante – Associate Director of Programming, CineVegas
Panelists include: Scott Rice – Director, Wolf River Pictures; Steve Collins – Director/Professor, University of Texas at Austin; Shane Smith – Director of Programming, Movieola and Silver Screen
Classics

Editing Master Class Featuring Nick Moore
Master class with Nick Moore, editor of Along Came Polly, Love Actually, Notting Hill, The Full Monty and more. Learn the ins and outs of editing a feature length film as Nick dissects some of his favorite scenes.
Location: University of Miami School of Communication, International Bldg., Room 3053 – Shojaee Hall
Date: Sunday, March 4th, 2:30 – 4:00PM
Moderator: Nick Moore

Kodak Presents: Stop By, Shoot Film
A hands-on opportunity to capture your own images on Super 16mm. Choose your composition and own framing- and shoot! Kodak will send a DVD of your work following the seminar. This is a limited capacity event; please visit www.miamifilmfestival.com to sign up.
Location: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Bldg. 1, Centre Gallery
Date: Monday, March 5th, 10:30 – 12:30
Date: Monday, March 5th, 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Date: Tuesday, March 6th, 11:30 – 1:30
Date: Tuesday, March 6th, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Date: Wednesday, March 7th, 10:00 AM – NOON
Date: Wednesday, March 7th, 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Coach/Tech Teacher: Michael Paul Brown – Regional Account Manager, Kodak Entertainment
Imaging Division

Shorts: Making Award-Winning Shorts, Submitting to Festivals & Distribution Alternatives
Make your next short your best film yet. Get an insight to making award-winning shorts from award-winning directors. Learn which festivals are right for you and how to get your name and project out there.
Location: Miami Dade College, North Campus, Room 2147
Date: Monday, March 5th, 11:00 – 12:30
Moderator: Mike Plante – Associate Director of Programming, CineVegas
Panelists include: Scott Rice – Director, Wolf River Pictures; Steven Collins – Director/Professor,
University of Texas at Austin; Shane Smith – Director of Programming, Movieola and Silver
Screen Classics

NALIP Seminar: US Latinos on the Rise?
Since the 1980s, experts have been predicting a Hispanic media explosion. Is it any easier today to make Latin-themed films and documentaries than it was 25 years ago? In this panel, high-profile producers, filmmakers and programmers ponder the question: are U.S. Latinos really rising?
Location: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Batten 2106
Date: Monday, March 5th, 12:30 – 2:00 PM
Moderator: Frances Negròn – Executive Board Member, National Association of Latino Independent
Producers
Panelists include: Ela Troyano – Director, Troyano, Inc.; Cynthia Lopez – Vice President, American Documentary P.O.V.; Benjamin Odell – Head of Development & Production, Panamax Films; Eddie Lytton – Writer/Producer, The Filmcollectiv

Animation: How Stories Work on More Than One Level
Animated films encompass much more than meets the naked eye. Learn about the entire creation process and how stories are designed to work for both children and adults.
Location: Miami Dade College, North Campus, Room 2147
Date: Monday, March 5th, 1:30 – 3:00 PM
Moderator: Julia Pistor – Producer, MTV Networks
Panelists include: Conrad Vernon – Director, DreamWorks; Michael Fukushima – Producer, Animation Studio, National Film Board of Canada; Lynn Hobson – Editor; Vicky Jenson – Director

New Technology Business Models, DRM and Intellectual Property Rights Protection in the Audiovisual Sector
Informative panel examining new business models for the production, distribution and exhibition of audiovisual content with an emphasis on digital technology. Topics include liability in connection with copying and distributing copyrighted content via the Internet, digital rights management tools, intellectual property rights protection issues and piracy.
Location: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, ETCOTA 7128
Date: Tuesday, March 6th, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Moderator: Steve Solot – Senior Vice President Latin America, MPA São Paulo
Panelists include: Ira Deutchman – President & CEO, Emerging Pictures; Brad Hunt – Executive Vice President/Chief Technology Officer, MPAA Los Angeles; Frank Scibilia – Intellectual Property & Entertainment Attorney; Andrew Greenberg – Intellectual Property & Technology Attorney, Carlton Fields

Co-Production & Distribution of Latin American Films by the US Majors
This panel examines the growing trend of the U.S. “majors” (member companies of the Motion Picture Association) to co-produce, acquire and distribute original Latin American films. Since 2004 more than 90 local feature films from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico have been co-produced and/or distributed by MPA member companies.
Location: Regal South Beach Cinema #18
Date: Wednesday, March 7th, 11:30 – 1:00
Moderator: Steve Solot – Senior Vice President Latin America, MPA São Paulo
Panelists include: Fernando Laiger – Director Latin America, MIRAVISTA (Disney-Latin America);
Redo Farah – Senior Vice President Latin America, Warner Bros International; Steve O’Dell – Vice President of Distribution, Sony Pictures Latin America

Film Critic and Film Journalist Roundtable
Nationally renowned critics and film journalists discuss the fine art of critiquing and writing about film. What do they look for when viewing? What’s appealing? What’s not?
Location: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, ETCOTA 7128
Date: Thursday, March 8th, 10:00 –11:30 AM
Moderator: Jeff Hill – International House of Publicity
Panelists include: Mike Goodridge – US Editor, Screen International; Rene Rodriguez – Film
Critic, The Miami Herald; Howard Feinstein – Film Critic/ Programmer; Peter Keough – Film Critic, Boston Phoenix; Sharon Swart – Senior Editor, Variety

MIAMI DI, Digital Intermediate
Today's Independent Filmmaker is faced with many choices regarding origination and post production workflow. The goal of this seminar is to educate you by way of a introductory overview of DI and then have a panel of Miami experts (Post Production Facilities and Filmmakers) share advice with you.
Location: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Batten 2106
Date: Thursday, March 8th, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Moderator: Michael Paul Brown – Regional Account Manager, Kodak Entertainment
Imaging Division
Panelists include: Miami Based Post-Production Members from Cineworks Digital Studios, Continental Film and Video, a Miami Independent Filmmaker and Kodak’s Ricardo Figueroa, Post- Production Hybrid Specialist

Shoot in South Florida
Moviemaker Magazine has rated Miami as one of the top 10 best cities to shoot independent film. Learn about the support and benefits South Florida has to offer.
Location: The Shore Club Hotel
Date: Thursday, March 8th, 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Panelists include: Paul Sirmons – State Film Commissioner, Governor’s Office of Film &
Entertainment; Jeff Peel – Director, Miami Dade Mayor’s Office of Film & Entertainment. Jeff Peel has been Miami-Dade; Robert Parente – Director, Mayor’s Office of Film, Arts & Entertainment; Graham Winick – Film & Event Production Manager, City of Miami Beach; Joseph Greco – Writer/Director

Documentaries – Why Have They Become So Popular Recently? Docs As a Means of Education and Social Change
Over the past few years, documentary films have been capturing a larger share of box office revenue and increased attention in the popular mind. The public seems to have a new appetite for issue films which were once relegated to the art-house circuit and television. Is it that doc topics are now more relevant and interesting? Is the public seeking a broader range of information? How are new distribution networks contributing to this shift? To what extent are documentaries operating as entertainment, education or social change mechanism?
Location: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Batten 2106
Date: Friday, March 9th, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Moderator: Caroline Libresco – Senior Programmer, Sundance Film Festival
Panelists include: Nancy Abraham – Vice President, HBO Documentary Films; Daniel Katz – Vice
President of Acquisitions, THINKFilm; Andrew Garrison – Filmmaker & Professor, University of Texas at Austin; Lois Vossen – Producer, Independent Lens Series, ITVS; Josh Braun – Co-President, Submarine Entertainment

IFP Panel: How Today's Producers Take Projects from the Script to the Screen in an Ever-changing Global Marketplace
Through their success stories as well as their cautionary tales, producers and producers reps will discuss what it takes to make a successful independent film and how creative collaborations, international financing and release strategies have been affected in today's rapidly changing global marketplace.
Location: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Batten 2106
Date: Friday, March 9th, 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Moderator: Amy Dotson – Producer & Managing Director, Programming, IFP
Panelists include: Julie Goldman – Producer, Cactus Three; Joshua Zeman – Producer, Ghost Robot; Ted Hope – Producer/Partner/Founder, This Is That; Rene Bastian – Producer, Belladonna Productions

Marketing & Distributing Foreign Language Films in the USA
Special, limited capacity breakfast discussion. Marketing and distribution executives who specialize in foreign language releases discuss strategies and opportunities available to foreign language filmmakers.
Location: The Shore Club Hotel
Date: Saturday, March 10th, 9:30 – 11:00 AM
Moderator: Jeff Hill – International House of Publicity
Panelists include: Caroline Libresco – Senior Programmer, Sundance Film Festival; Ryan Werner – Vice President of Marketing, IFC; Steven Raphael – Publicist/Sales Rep, Required Viewing; Nancy Gerstman – Co-President, Zeitgeist Films; Sharon Swart – Senior Editor, Variety

US Distribution
What do acquisitions executives look for when pre-buying projects, co-producing and acquiring completed features? Hear from the industry pros who are reading the scripts, covering film festivals and meeting with producers to learn what piques their interest.
Location: Miami Dade College, Wolfson Campus, Batten 2106
Date: Saturday, March 10th, 11:00 – 12:30 PM
Moderator: Mike Goodridge – US Editor, Screen International
Panelists include: Jason Resnick – Senior Vice President and General Manager, Worldwide
Acquisitions, Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Rogue Pictures; Paul Federbush – Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Co-Productions, Warner Independent Pictures; Matt Brodlie – Senior Vice President of Production & Acquisitions, Paramount Vantage; Arianna Bocco – Vice President
of Acquisitions & Production, IFC Films

The full schedule of seminars and additional information is also available at www.miamifilmfestival.com. Tickets are available by phone at 305-405-MIFF (6433) or online at www.miamifilmfestival.com.

In addition, more than 300 filmmakers, directors, producers, distributors, and industry executives will attend MIFF again this year to actively participate in screenings, panels and sales meetings. Among those attending the 2007 Miami International Film Festival are Damián Alcázar, Alberto Arvelo, Andi Baiz, Emily Barclay, Michael Barker, Steven Barron, Luis Bellagamba, Luc Besson, Tammy Blanchard, Ms. Cedella Marley Booker, Carles Bosch, Matt Brodlie, Jim Brown, Zita Caivallosa, Andres Cepeda, Antonio Cuadri, Veronica Cura, David D'Arcy, Oded Davidoff, Joaquim de Almeida, Ira Deutchman, Agustin Diaz Yanes, Serge Elissalde, Geoffrey Enthoven, Howard Feinstein, Mark Fergus, John Fiege, Alex Garcia, Nancy Gerstman, Julie Goldman, Octavio Gomez-Berrios, Mike Goodridge, Olga Guillot, Quim Gutiérrez, Adam Guzinski, Megan Hammitt, Justine Henzell, Ted Hope, Samantha Horley, Anne Hubell, Sheila Johnston, Gonzalo Justiniano, Daniel Katz, Julia Kaufman, Peter Keough,Philippa Kowarsky, Sarah Lash, Patrick Leblanc, Jérome Lemonnier, Diego Lerman, Caroline Libresco, Kirsi Marie Liimatainen, Cynthia Lopez, Mike Maggiore, Elba McAllister, Selton Mello, Maria Merlino, Kirill Mikhanovsky, Viggo Mortensen, Takayuki Nakamura, Bertha Navarro, Frances Negron, Benjamin O'Dell, Loris Omedes, Matt Orley, Veronica Orozco, Hsiao-hung Pai, Chitra Palekar, Raoul Peck, Mike Plante, Tahani Rached, Steven Raphael, Rie Rasmussen, Barry Rebo, Jason Resnick, André Ristum, Rene Rodriguez, Eileen Rodriguez, J.B. Rutagarama, Veronica Sanchez, Daniel Sánchez, Catalina Sandino, Josefina Sartora, Issaka Sawadogo, Dror Shaul, Tali Shemesh, Steve Solot, Ugo Sorrentino, Jim Stark, Jeremy Stulberg, Randy Stulberg, Cecilia Suarez, Rodrigo Triana, Tonny Trimarsanto, Ela Troyano, Triston Ulloa, Christine Vachon, Carice van Houten, Francisco Vargas Quevedo, Francis Veber, Eduardo Veràstegui, Paul Verhoeven, Margarethe von Trotta, Lois Vossen, Bruce Weber, Douglas Wellbat, Ryan Werner, Jennifer Westfeldt, Rob Williams, Marco Williams, Sean Wolfinghton, Vanessa Wranger, Markus Zimmer, and Bernardo Zupnik.

Screenings will take place at six venues throughout the city: The Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami, Regal South Beach Cinema in South Beach, Tower Theater in Little Havana, Sunrise Intracoastal Cinema in North Miami Beach, The Bill Cosford Cinema at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, and The Colony Theatre in Miami Beach.

The Miami International Film Festival gratefully acknowledges the support it receives from its sponsors, including its Producing Sponsors, City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, American Airlines, The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald. Premiere Sponsors include America Filmworks, Comcast, del Rivero Messianu DDB, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Regal Cinemas, University of Miami and Venevision International. Principal Sponsors are 2150 Editorial, ABC Management Services and The Historic Alfred I. DuPont Building, AméricaEconomía, CBS4 and MY33, Clear Channel Radio, Diario Las Americas, Eastman Kodak Entertainment Imaging, Entertainment Partners, FedEx Express, Florida Power & Light, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Heineken, Hertz Radio, Jaman, Lava Studio, Magna-Tech Electronic Company, Miami Parking Authority and Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, Movado, Premiere Magazine, Selecta Magazine, Shore Club, Sunrise Intracoastal Cinema, Telefutura 69, Terra Group, Univision 23, Univision Radio, Vanidades, Wachovia and Warren Henry Automobiles. The Festival’s Supporting Sponsors include Astoria Communications, Blue Capital Management, BMI, Books & Books, Carlton Fields, Catalina Hotel and Beach Club, Cineworks Digital Studios, Inc., Consulado de México en Miami, Continental New Art Digital, Cultural Services Department of the French Embassy in the U.S., Digital Devoid, Dorchester Hotel, El Argentino, FilmFinders, The Garner Foundation, Inc., Hotel Victor ICAA, Lion Video, Manhattan Transfer, Miami Downtown Development Authority, Miami New Times, Midtown Video, Personal Music, Pinnacle Housing, Raleigh Hotel, River Oyster Bar, SAGIndie, SocialMiami.com, TownHouse Hotel, Universal Casting, Univision Online, View Premium, LLC, 88.9 FM Serious Jazz (WDNA), WLRN Public Radio and Television, and WPBT TV-Channel 2.

The 2007 Miami International Film Festival is sponsored in part with the support of the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts; the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners the Miami-Dade Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment; the City of Miami Mayor’s Office of Film and Cultural Affairs; the Governor’s Office of Film and Entertainment; Miami-Dade Transit; the City of Miami Beach, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority; the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Program; Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Miami Coalition for the Homeless, the Alvah H. and Wyline P. Chapman Foundation, Inc., and Florida International University – Latin American and Caribbean Center.

The Miami International Film Festival to be held March 2-11, 2007, brings the best of world cinema to South Florida and plays a leading role in maintaining and further enriching its film culture. MIFF uses the unique geographical and cultural position of Miami to be a premiere venue for the exhibition of international and US films, with a special focus on Ibero-American cinema.

· More than 67,000 people attended the Festival in 2006
· In addition, more than 300 filmmakers, producers, talent, and industry representatives from around the world attended the 2006 Festival to introduce their work to Miami audiences and industry professionals
· The 2006 Festival held more than 250 screenings, including features, shorts, Outreach and press

During the last four years, the Festival has presented films from more than 60 countries, including 200 East Coast, U.S. and World Premieres, scores of Oscar winners and nominees, and many international prizewinners. Tickets go on sale to Members Feb. 2, 2007 and to the General Public Feb. 16, 2007.

Miami Dade College has a long and rich history of involvement in the cultural arts, providing South Florida with a vast array of artistic and literary offerings including The Miami Book Fair International, the Cultura del Lobo performing arts series, The Cuban Cinema Series, and the School of Entertainment and Design Technology in addition to the Miami International Film Festival. MDC is the largest institution of higher education in the country and is nationally recognized for many of its academic and cultural programs. With an enrollment of more than 163,000 students, MDC is the nation’s top producer of associate of arts and associate of science degrees. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 200 distinct degree programs including baccalaureate degrees in education and public safety management.

For more information visit www.miamifilmfestival.com.