The first Film Finance Forum in Latin America, slated Aug. 21 in Rio, will showcase panels that feature a Who’s Who in Latin America, Hollywood and Europe.
Latin American panelists include Mundial sales chief Cristina Garza; Rio Film Commissioner/Latin American Training Center founder-prexy Steve Solot; RioFilme CEO Sergio Sa Leitao; Colombia’s Diana Bustamante, of Burning Blue production company; and Uruguay producer Mariana Secco of Salado Cine.
Hollywood execs include CAA literary agent Stuart Manashil, Alexis Garcia of WME Ent., and IM Global’s SVP of international sales Tatyana Joffe. The Euro contingent will be led by Xavier Parache of Gate Media/Natixis Coficine.
Digital Latin America CEO Antonio Barreto, a pioneer in the digital delivery space for Latin American content, will deliver the keynote address “Monetizing on Latin American Content through Digital Delivery” to kick off the one-day event.
The forum comes as production expands across most of the region. “For years now Latin America has been a hotbed for emerging talent, and many of its countries have produced a steady output of successful local films,” said Garcia. “But it’s the combination of the growing appetite in the consumer market for cinema as evidenced by the rising screen count and the improving production resources/infrastructure that make Latin America ripe for a film finance forum, ” he added. “We’ve seen a comparable explosion for major music (e.g. Lollapalooza Chile) and sports (e.g. World Cup) events. Opportunities in film will follow.”
Event is the first Latin American foray for organizer Winston Baker, which has presented Film Finance Forums in Shanghai, Cannes, Zurich, Los Angeles and New York.
Film Finance Forum Latin America is presented in conjunction with lead sponsor RioFilme, Latin American Training Center, U.S. entertainment media partner Variety, and Latin America entertainment media partners FilmeB; Tela Viva; and LatAm Cinema.
