HIFF 2019 Distribution Initiative

Free for passholders or $10 admission. Passholders must show both their ticket and pass to gain admission to the Masterclass.

More information at www.hiff.ca/2019-distribution-initiative

Workshop hosts will discuss how independent film distributors operate and what they can offer artists. Tips for self-distribution and maximizing your short film’s potential will be discussed along with several case studies of successful films. The workshop is designed for emerging to mid-career filmmakers working in the independent media arts model.

11:30am - 12:30pm  •  Sylvia Jonescu Lisitza, Director, Moving Images Distribution

Distribution: A Working Relationship - Straddling Twin Peaks of Art and Commerce

Sylvia Jonescu Lisitza will share what she's learned from three decades of active distribution that includes working with programmers, buyers and licensors of independent film and video. Topics will include building a constructive relationship with a distributor, preparing your work for smooth delivery of digital assets to maximize the audience experience, calibrating your economic expectations and navigating festivals. She has worked extensively with buyers who build media collections for educational and art institutions, licensors for broadcast, and cultural programmers. She'll also comment on the current landscape of massive digital platforms and their ability (or failure) to serve the needs of libraries dedicated to the study of Media Arts and Cinema. 

12:45pm - 1:45pm  • Jacquelyn Hébert, Community and Project Manager, VUCAVU
Jacquelyn Hébert will host a workshop for artists and arts organizations interested in learning more about online film and video distribution. During the session, she will explain what VUCAVU is and what it offers artists. This will include an overview of other view on demand (VOD) platforms and a discussion about how digital tools can be used to promote an artists’ practice.

Participants will learn about VUCAVU’s 8 distribution partners and how artists can have their work added to the platform. Finally, Jacquelyn will discuss how VUCAVU can be used as a curatorial, research, educational and programming tool and what changes are on the horizon as they work to further develop the platform and its functionalities.

The HIFF Professional Development series is generously supported by the Province of Nova Scotia.