The International Film Festival Summit Returns to Las Vegas

The International Film Festival Summit opens at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas on Sunday, December 5th and runs through Tuesday the 7th.  The event, or IFFS as it called, was founded in 2002 and is the only annual conference and symposium held where film festival and entertainment industry professionals can network, establish partnerships and learn about the latest changes and developments affecting festivals and indie filmmaking.

Designed to promote the global film festival industry, the IFFS offers programs that educate, inform, drive innovation and play an important role in fostering understanding of the critical need filled by film festivals in relation to the promotion and screening of independent films  During the three days attendees have the chance to enjoy educational workshops, conferences, panels, access to industry leaders and networking opportunities.  This year's Keynote Speakers are: Producer (Superman Returns, Valkyrie), Writer and Director Gilbert Adler, Paul Cohen, the Director of the Torchlight Program at FSU's College of Motion Picture Arts and Robert Baruc, President of Screen Media Films.  Other Speakers include: the Executive Editor of Variety, Steve Gaydos; President and CEO of Emerging Pictures, Ira Deutchman; Managing Director of the Lone Star International Film Festival, John Storm; and the Founder and Director of the Los Angeles United Film Festival, Jason Connell.

Sunday the Summit kicks off with "Anatomy of a Festival: Austin Film Festival" with key members of the staff discussing various aspects of their annual eight day conference and year-round events.  This will be followed by the Keynote Presentation "Festival Parnerships: Growing the Next Generation of Filmmakers" given by Paul Cohen.  Sunday wraps up with the Opening Cocktail Reception and Dinner with Strangers Outing, which provides a unique dining and networking opportunities for attendees.

The curriculum on Monday features a Panel "Festivals Impact on Social Change and Culture", a Presentation from the CEO of Nomosa, Tracy Garner called "Festivals and Distribution: The Power of Collaboration", the Keynote Presentation "Producers and Studios: The Emerging Importance of Festivals" given by Gilbert Adler and various workshops and roundtable sessions held in the afternoon.  A Cocktail Reception, Presentation of the Fourth Annual Excellence Awards and the debut of the IMFCON Showcase presented by Harmony Festival and Skyline Music featuring local and national musicians including Hot Buttered Rum and Jeff McBride.

On the last day of the Summit, Opening Remarks will be followed by the "Creating a Festival Identity" Panel, "Filmanthropy at Your Festival" presented by documentary filmmaker James Chippendale, the Keynote Presentation from Robert Baruc "An Independent Distributor in the Land of Festivals" and more educational and leadership tracks after lunch before the conference draws to a close.

In addition to the Las Vegas event, IFFS Europe will be held on February 8th and 9th, 2011 in Berlin.