Planet in Focus

By popular demand, The Green Networking Lounge expands this year from one hour to three on Thursday, October 13, 10:30am to 1:30pm in Room 318 of the Miles Nadel Jewish Community Centre. During this session, filmmakers can meet with the film industry’s gatekeepers to establish long-term contacts, learn about their companies and present them with film ideas.

Admission is by Festival or Industry Pass. The Industry Pass costs $50 ($60 after Sept. 30) and gets you into all Industry events on October 13 & 14 and the Industry Reception. View the full Industry Schedule here.

So, how does the Networking Lounge work and how should I prepare for it?

How does the Networking Lounge work?

Like speed-dating, filmmakers meet with various industry representatives each for 15 minutes at a table to chat.  It’s just you and that person.   To take part, buy an Industry or Festival pass, send me your e-receipt or pass number at allan@planetinfocus.org and list who you want to meet during the Lounge.  I’ll look at all the requests then e-mail you back your schedule.

How many people can I meet?

As many as I can accommodate on a first-come, first-served basis.  Also, other filmmakers may want to meet the same person you do, and guest speakers may be available for only a small window of time (i.e. one hour).  Planet in Focus will bend over backwards to schedule all your requests, but we reserve the right to limit a filmmaker’s micro-meetings based on these factors.  Thanks for understanding.

Which industry people can I meet?

Look at the photos above starting in the top left and moving clockwise are representatives from the Harold Greenberg Fund, NFB, Telefilm, TVO, OMDC, NFB and Shaw Media.  There will also be folks from The Canadian Film Centre, Super Channel, Vtape and the Canada Media Fund.  Click here for the full line-up.

What should I bring?

Business cards, one-sheets, possibly demo DVDs of your work (it’s up to the industry guest to accept it or not) and a specific aim.

What do you mean by “specific aim”?

What do you want to get out of each micro-meeting?  For example: feedback to an idea, business advice, establish contact to build a long-term relationship, pitch a film for funding?  Don’t waste the other person’s time–and yours.  Research what they do and what their company is looking for.  If you want to make a documentary, the Harold Greenberg Fund can’t help, but maybe TVO.

Will there be coffee?

Yes, and light snacks.

So I meet someone at the Networking Lounge.  What next?

Best to ask the industry  rep before you end your micro-meeting how to stay in touch and what the next step will be.

What should I not expect?

Someone to hand you a million bucks.  Build relationships over time.  Be patient yet persistent.

Full details of The Green Networking Lounge are here.

Tags: Canada Media Fund, documentaries, DVD, feature films, film, financing, funding, Green Networking Lounge, Harold Greenberg Fund, industry pass, interactive, marketing, Miles Nadel Jewish Community Centre, NFB, OMDC, Planet In Focus, Shaw Media, short films, Super Channel, Telefilm, television, The Canadian Film Centre, TVO, Vtape