This summer, we will be hosting the Future of Film Festivals Forum in Wroclaw, Poland – in collaboration with mBank New Horizons International Film Festival and with the support of the British Council.
We’re bringing together international film festivals to ensure that the sector continues to thrive and innovate. We believe that now more than ever, it is essential for film festivals to be given the space to collaborate and learn from each other, therefore we are providing this unique opportunity to network and collectively problem-solve with international colleagues facing the same challenges.
This event is the culmination of 11 successful and acclaimed editions of the Developing Your Film Festival training course, which 100% of the 300 alumni would recommend to their peers.
The Forum dates are 19-20 July. Accommodation in Wroclaw is provided from 18-21 July and the mBank New Horizons International Film Festival opens on Thursday 20 July.
About the Forum
The Future of Film Festivals Forum has been created to provide an opportunity for cultural exchange between film festivals and encourage collaboration within the industry. The event will consist of a combination of working groups, best-practice case studies and time for reflection.
All attendees will come away from the event with a concise understanding of the issues the industry is dealing with today, as well as a network of partners and film festival collaborators with which they can navigate through this time of rejuvenation.
The Future of Film Festivals Forum is for alumni of the Developing Your Film Festival (DYFF) training programme. The event is free to attend and includes three nights of accommodation, a bursary towards travel costs, course materials, and most meals.
Expressions of interest are now closed.
Event Location – Wroclaw, Poland
For the first time since 2019, the ICO returns to Wroclaw, in collaboration with the New Horizons International Film Festival. The Forum will take place at the Monopol Hotel – approximately a 10 minute walk away from the New Horizons cinema where the festival is centered.
On the second day of the Forum, all attendees are invited to the opening night of the New Horizons International Film Festival.
Speakers
Catharine Des Forges
Director, Independent Cinema Office
Catharine has spent over 20 years working in the exhibition sector for a variety of organisations including the BFI and Arts Council England. She has worked as a freelance programmer and arts consultant and progammed for festivals and cinemas both in the UK and internationally. She has lectured on film at a number of UK universities and is a regular contributor to industry events and a frequent filmmaker Q&A host. Catharine founded the ICO in 2003 and has been its Director ever since.
David Sin
Head of Cinemas, Independent Cinema Office
Over the past 25 years, David has worked as a Programmer, Consultant and Distributor, on occasions two or three of these at the same time. From 1998-2002, he was Director of Cinema at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) where he programmed an award-winning season of Japanese experimental film, increased admissions by 100% and also made a success of the ICA’s cutting-edge distribution company; releasing over 40 films including Ring, A One and a Two and Kandahar. Whilst Head of Content at the British Film Institute, he co-produced a screening of Borderline staged at the Tate Modern Turbine Hall; and A Throw of Dice with a live orchestra in Trafalgar Square.
Faridah Gbadamosi
Film Curator and Culture Critic
Faridah Gbadamosi is a film curator and culture critic working towards making the space more inclusive. In particular, her interests are in changing the space of tastemakers and rethinking the models for curation and exhibition. She has worked in various roles at different film festivals and other film organizations, including the California Film Institute, Athena Film Festival, SIFF, and many more. She recently worked as the Artistic Director of Outfest during its 40th anniversary. In addition to her programming roles, she has also worked as the Director of Distribution at Open Your Eyes and Think MF, the distribution wing of David Magdael & Associates, a consultant on different film projects, and a freelance culture critic. She currently works at Tribeca Enterprises as a Senior Programmer.
Jennifer Frees
Executive Business Development, Partnerships and Customer Experience Leader
Jennifer Frees has diverse experience in revenue leadership, marketing, business development, and strategic partnership for the private, public and non-profit sectors. Her innovative projects have won marketing and design awards for highly regarded international brands, as well as generating over $180M for her non-profit clients globally. Jennifer has served on executive leadership teams at the Toronto Region Board of Trade and TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), leading units including Membership, Marketing, Analytics, Events, and Partnerships. Jennifer is an internationally sought-after business development speaker and workshop facilitator, and provides senior sales, negotiation, and business development advisory services for an array of organisations in the creative sector.
FAQs
How do I express my interest to attend the Forum?
Expressions of interest for the Future of Film Festivals Forum are now open and available to all alumni of the Developing Your Film Festival training progamme.
You can find all the necessary materials at the bottom of this page.
Are festivals from outside the alumni network able to attend the event?
Unfortunately, this event is only open to those who have attended a previous edition of the Developing Your Film Festival training programme.
What will be covered in my attendance at the event?
There is no fee to attend the Future of Film Festivals Forum.
You will be provided with three nights of accommodation, a bursary towards travel expenses, course materials and most meals. The nights covered will be Tuesday 18 July, Wednesday 19 July and Thursday 20 July (check-out Friday 21 July).
In regards to meals, breakfast and lunch will be provided every day, as well as dinner on specified days that will be confirmed at a later date.
Where is the Forum taking place?
The Future of Film Festivals Forum is taking place in Wroclaw, in collaboration with New Horizons International Film Festival. The training is based at the Monopol Hotel.
Accommodation is based at either the Puro Hotel or the AC Marriott Hotel.
How long will it take for a decision to be made on my expression of interest?
Decisions will be communicated no later than two weeks after the deadline of Monday 8th May 2023.
How will the decisions be made on expressions of interest?
Each expression of interest will be looked over by two members of senior ICO staff, who will then discuss and finalise the decision.
Who should I contact if I have any further questions?
If you have any further questions about the event, then please get in touch with us via email at the following address: training@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk
Can I send an expression of interest if I am not an alumni of the Developing Your Film Festival training programme?
Unfortunately, if you have not attended a previous edition of the Developing Your Film Festival training programme you will not be able to attend the Future of Film Festivals Forum.
After the event, we will be disseminating some of the conversations from the Forum and will welcome responses at that stage.
The Future of Film Festivals Forum is funded by the British Council’s International Collaboration Grants, which are designed to support UK and overseas organisations to collaborate on international arts projects.
