MAGNETIC LATVIA FILM CONFERENCE

MAGNETIC LATVIA FILM CONFERENCE FILM MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN EUROPE

Andris Ozols Director of Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

Latvia’s geographic position has been alluring for various empires, but we are proudly keeping alive our cultural diversity, polishing our historical values and adoring our various landscapes. For several years Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), as the main national export body, has been proudly showcasing our common creativity and actively supporting Latvia’s presence on the international markets and major festivals.

Currently the Latvian film industry is enjoying a pleasant boom and walking down the red carpet – the total share of Latvian films on local market is significantly growing, movies are ranked among the most-watched in Latvia and being selected for international awards.

Our initiative to organize Magnetic Latvia Film Conference during the Riga International Film Festival 2019 is another step in positioning Latvia as a catching location on the map of international movie market. We are glad to give filmmakers the opportunity to pursue new challenges, to provide a better understanding of international markets, thus contributing to their business growth and creative accomplishments.

FRIDAY, 18 OCT.

MAGNETIC LATVIA FILM CONFERENCE Film market development in Northern Europe 09:00–17:00 AB Dam For registered participants (See www.rigaiff.lv)

SATURDAY, 19 OCT.

MAGNETIC LATVIA FILM CONFERENCE Location tour 09:00–21:00 For registered participants (See www.rigaiff.lv)

THEMES

FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY

How will movies survive the next 10 years? What’s the future of the film industry – where are we now and where do we go?! What is the potential for small countries like Latvia?

POTENTIAL OF BALTIC FILM INDUSTRY

Recent years have seen unprecedented worldwide growth in film and television drama series production. The scale and global nature of this “deluge” presents a major opportunity for countries and regions to service demand by investing in production capability. The discussion will examine the context for this phenomenon and specifically look at how the Baltic nations’ film sectors can take action to benefit from the situation.

LOCAL PRODUCTION VALUE IN THE GLOBAL LANDSCAPE, BALTIC FOCUS

Baltic’s experience in film making and service providing. Highlighting the strengths of the Baltic States and advantages of each country.

HOW TO GET SMALL COUNTRY PRODUCTS INTO THE BIG MARKETS

How to highlight our location on a world map of film industry? What are the mechanisms for entering international market as a small player?

SELLING YOUR PRODUCT IN DIFFERENT CHANNELS

How to influence people’s decision-making processes in a fast-changing world? How to uncover and captivate the proper target audience for your product?

PARTICIPANTS Magnetic Latvia Film Conference

Paul Aguraiuja CEO, Itamambuca Filmproduction, producer, Estonia

A creative entrepreneur with years of experience in combining strategy with creativity and leading large complex creative teams towards the goal. He produces internationally acclaimed TV-series.

Mārtiņš Grauds Filmmaker, producer, Latvia

Film director, producer and photo artist with acting background. Co-founder of film studio Tanka. Has directed documentaries and award-winning short films and music videos as well as TV commercials.

Julie Baines Producer, Dan Films, United Kingdom

The founder of Dan Films. A very experienced producer of international feature films and multi-party co-productions across all genres. She has produced with veteran directors but also enjoys supporting new talent. Currently working with Volker Schloendorff. G. Thomas Esmay Director of Corporate Strategy, Breaker, USA

Breaker is a blockchain EnTech company building tools for creators. Esmay has worked on a variety of documentaries, live broadcasts, and short films, including the Susan Sarandon produced Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story.

Agnieszka Holland Film and television director and screenwriter, Poland

Best known for her films Europa Europa (1991) and In Darkness (2011), which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 84th Academy Awards. In 2017, she received Alfred Bauer Prize for her film Spoor at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Jānis Kalējs Producer, Film Angels Productions, Latvia

Co-founder of Film Angels Productions; has worked in film industry in Latvia and Canada for over 25 years. He has produced, co-produced and provided service for numerous international film projects in Latvia.

Ieva Norviliene Producer, Tremora, Lithuania

Managing director of the Lithuanian Filmmakers Union and member of the European Film Academy and Alliance of Cinema Auteurs. Jonathan Olsberg Chairman of O-SPI, United Kingdom

Has built an international reputation as a strategic adviser at the highest levels of media, business and government. He brings to each assignment decades of expertise as consultant, finance professional, creative industry executive and film producer.

Katriel Schory Producer, Executive-Director of the Israel Film Fund, Israel

Katriel produced over 130 films including feature films, documentaries and int’l co-productions. Since 1999, Executive Director of the Israel Film Fund, has authorized the production of more than 300 new Israeli feature films.

Sergei Serpuhov Producer, Baltic Pine Films, Latvia

A member of the Latvian Producers Association and EAVE network. Baltic Pine Films specializes in servicing high-end foreign productions. Credits include such titles as League of Justice (US), Blinded (SE), L’Immortale (IT).

Shelley Page Consultant, United Kingdom

International Animation Talent Consultant for leading animation studios including Netflix Animation (USA), DreamWorks Animation (USA), Aardman Animations (UK), HB Wink (China), 88 Pictures (India) and Wizart (Russia).

Ada Solomon Producer, EFA Board Member, Romania

Has worked in the film business for the last 20 years. The films produced by Ada were presented & awarded in the most prestigious festivals as Berlinale, Cannes, Locarno, Venice. Her films are released in over 40 territories around the world.

Gary Tuck Producer, Baltic Film Services, Lithuania

Baltic Film Services produces, co-produces and services international film and television productions. Recent productions include Chernobyl and Catherine the Great for HBO/Sky Atlantic and The Last Czars for Netflix.

Michael Werner CEO and Managing Director of Eyewell, Sweden

In film distribution since 1986. In 1988 entered world sales with 10 years at Nordisk Film Int’l (today Trust Nordisk). Since 2013 operating the Swedish int’l sales company Eyewell facing the Baltic countries for new titles.

Andreas Wildfang Vice-President of EUROVOD, Executive Director of EYZ Media GmbH, Germany

EYZ develops products and services in the field of digital media and operates video on demand platforms. EYZ offers B2B VOD solutions from app-development to content localization and algorithms.

EUROPEAN FILM ACADEMY BOARD MEETING