Celebrating its 11th year, the Fleadh Forum is an annual platform to explore, discuss and share ideas about what is happening in the audiovisual industry, delivering a unique opportunity for filmmakers and industry professionals to come together and exchange news and views.
Presented by the Galway Film Fair and the WRAP Fund, with the support of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, the Galway Film Centre and Screen Skills Ireland in association with ACE Producers, the Fleadh Forum will move online alongside the Galway Film Fleadh programme this year. It will present a series of three free webinars with the theme of Looking Towards Tomorrow focusing on the pertinent issues facing our industry in light of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Joined by a host of Industry Experts, discussions will cover topics including the strategic process of development, the future of co-production and the next steps for film sales, distribution and exploitation.
What We Do Today Will Create Our Tomorrow: What Is Your Development Strategy?
- Webinar 1: Wednesday 08 July 2020, 14.00 – 15.00
The world is experiencing a surge in content creation and now more than ever a captive audience demands engaging content. So how important is it to approach development strategically? In this talk, we will delve into the practical and creative strategies that successful companies pursue in developing their slates, working with talent and selecting the stories they want to tell.
Participants: Ben Coren (Film4), Dionne Farrell (BBC Films), Emma Norton (Element Pictures) and moderated by Sarah Dillon (WRAP Fund) with more speakers to be announced.
Co-Production In The Time Of Corona in association with ACE Producers
- Webinar 2: Thursday 09July 2020, 14.00 – 15.00
International co-production has become a backbone of financing for independent films during this century, as market money for their production has declined and at the same time sources of public funding across Europe and the world have grown in size and accessibility. The pandemic has paralysed theatrical distribution and concentrated the exploitation value of films in a handful of global online platforms. With traditional distribution models unlikely to recover any time soon, with post-pandemic protocols sure to cause an overall rise in production costs, and with a new reluctance – for a range of reasons – towards producing a film in several countries, can co-production continue to function as the tool of choice for financing films outside the commercial mainstream?
Participants: Helge Albers (FFHSH/Hamburg Film Fund), David Collins (Samson Films), RebeccaO’Brien (Sixteen Films) and chaired by Simon Perry (ACE Producers).
What Now? The Future of Sales & Distribution
- Webinar 3: Friday 10 July 2020, 14.00 – 15.00
With the disruption caused by the pandemic, the plans for the traditional exploitation paths for many films has been called into question. What innovative approaches are helping films reach audiences, and how will distribution and exhibition adapt even when the world gets “back to normal”? Industry Experts will look how we are navigating these changes and what challenges and opportunities the future holds.
Participants: Cara Cusumano (Tribeca Film Festival), Eamonn Bowles (Magnolia Pictures), Patrick O’Neill (Wildcard Distribution), Stephen Kelliher (Bankside Films) and moderated by Katie Holly (Blinder Films) with more participants to be announced.
Click for the full Fleadh Forum Schedule & Participants Biographies.
Free Registration
The Fleadh Forum webinars are free but attendance is limited so advance registration is required. Sign up here.
The Galway Film Fair and the WRAP Fund are proud to present the Fleadh Forum with support from Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, the Galway Film Centre and Screen Skills Ireland with Creative Europe and in association with ACE Producers.