30th Anniversary International Wildlife Film Festival (2/20/2007)

The theme of the 30th Anniversary International Wildlife Film Festival, from May 12-19, is Crisis, Hope, Vision… Solutions for Planet Earth. National Geographic, Discovery, Animal Planet, BBC, Nature, the Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund and many other organizations and independent producers will be prominently represented at IWFF this May. Festival week kicks off with a special presentation by Michael Rosenfeld, President of National Geographic Television, joined by Dr. Doug Smith, Director of the Yellowstone Wolf Restoration Project. This event is co-sponsored by the University of Montana and the International Wildlife Film Festival and called Looking to the Past… Forward to the Future, Thirty Years of Amazing Moments in Wildlife Film and Science and will be open to all registered Festival Delegates and by advance tickets through IWFF.

Saturday, May 12

Sunday, May 13

Monday, May 14

Tuesday, May 15

Coffee Break 11 – 11:15am

Prepare To Launch: New Rules of “Pitching” - How Not to “Pitch” A Winner
Join Steve Michelson, multi-award winning producer and president of Lobitos Creek Ranch Productions, in a step-by-step approach to getting your project off the ground and into the marketplace.
11:15am-12:30pm

12:30-1:30pm - OPEN for Special Presentation/Lunch

Networking for Success: How to Get the Most out of the IWFF Experience
Yes, even veterans can use some fine-tuning. This is a not-to-be-missed, highly entertaining workshop for both newcomers and veterans, given by a master at the art of networking, Chris Palmer (New Contacts Guaranteed!)
2- 3:15pm

Workshop: Raising Money for Wildlife Films
Moderator, Emmy Award Winning Executive Producer, Chris Palmer
It may sound straight-forward but if you’ve ever tried to raise money for a film about wildlife or the environment, it can be challenging. Chris Palmer, a veteran of wildlife filmmaking and a master of fundraising, will teach participants the skills and techniques for raising money from wealthy donors – individuals, foundations and organizations. Participants will learn how to identify, cultivate and ask. If you believe in a subject, an issue or an idea, you cannot miss this fun and valuable workshop.
3:30 - 4:30pm

Special Presentation: Looking to the Past...Forward to the Future:
Thirty Years of Amazing Moments in Wildlife Film & Science
University Campus at the University of Montana –
Special Evening Event & VIP Dinner & Reception
Co-Sponsored by the University of Montana & IWFF
Special Presentations: Michael Rosenfeld, President – National Geographic Television
Dr. Douglas Smith, world-renowned scientist & Director of Yellowstone’s Wolf Restoration Project

Wednesday, May 16

Thursday, May 17

Compelling Storytelling: Fill In the Blanks
It’s the ultimate challenge of being a great storyteller - the magical quotient of great words to compelling pictures; the difference between award-winning and good. In this unique session, you, the audience gets involved as we show clips of some of the best films without the narration – then the audience, (professional filmmakers themselves,) write a line to go with the picture. We’ll discuss what might work, what doesn’t work; we’ll cringe, scream, laugh, cry; then we’ll have the scriptwriter play the line that’s there and discuss the decisions they made. You’ll hear it first-hand, how to determine when to step back, where and how to draw the line at being dramatic, when there’s need for humor and when the narrator must simply stand back and let the images speak for themselves; a very different approach to storytelling.

11- 11:15am: Coffee Break

New Directions in Media: Targeting a Niche Audience to Advance a Cause
This panel looks at how to more effectively reach specific audiences through media, using new media outlets and inlets; what are the opportunities that will lead audiences to act
11:15am – 12:45pm

12:30-2pm: Lunch Break (Sponsorship Available)

Sony Technology Workshop/Hands-on Demos with award-winning Director of Photography Details (TBA), 12:30-2:00pm

Indigenous Filmmakers “Speak Out”
Join Iranian and Congolese filmmakers as they share their very personal stories of challenge and triumph, dedicating their lives to making important films about their native species, local cultures and the struggles they face funding and bringing these critical films to public audiences. 2pm-3:30pm

Western Barn Dance & Barbecue, Sponsored by National Geographic Television
This year, festival delegates and special guests will depart for the beautiful Nine Mile Valley and Fire Creek Ranch in late afternoon, to explore this magnificent wild area, preserved only through concerted land conservation efforts – participate in fly fishing, hiking and horse activities and special presentations, while learning about the famous Nine Mile Wolves and this historic ranching valley. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres under the Big Sky at the beautiful ranch, before the barbecue and truly Western Party gets underway inside the arena. Don’t forget to wear your best western attire or bring it along. Changing areas will be available if you want to switch from hiking gear to Chaps!
Advance Ticket Purchase or Registration Required.
4:00pm

Friday, May 18

The Evolution of Wildlife & Natural History Film: 1977 to 2007
9:30 - 11am

The Ethical Dilemma in Wildlife Film: What Can We Learn From the Deaths of Steve Irwin, Timothy Treadwell & Others Who Pushed the Line?
11am – 12:30pm

12:30pm-1:30pm: Lunch: (Sponsorship Available)

Docu-Activism: New Media for Advocacy & Conservation Programming
Conservation programs, environmental education, and advocacy programming are no longer the exception; they’re part of mainstream media.
1:30-3pm

Commissioners Pitch Fest & Something New!
(Maximum of (5) Pitches/Must sign up in advance to pitch – please come prepared!)
Every year, no less than a half dozen filmmakers, some of them newcomers, some of them veterans, leave IWFF with a deal in hand or in development. Throughout the week, festival delegates have an opportunity to learn about the blueprint for selling a film; this is your chance to put it into action.
3-4:30pm

But this year, we’ve added something new to this session that reflects our conservation focus – up to three of the five pitches this year will come from conservation groups/non-governmental organizations, who will be pitching their conservation ideas to filmmakers and/or funders. Each proposal will receive ten minutes for presentation with a five minute response time from the Commissioners as to the quality of the proposal and its viability for production. Following the Commissioners’ responses, the audience will have a five minute response as well.

At the end of the Pitch Session, one of the theaters at festival headquarters will be set aside for commissioners and filmmakers to meet one on one, to discuss the proposal and possible development pending further interest.

Understanding the Mo-Sys for Capturing High End Images
The Mo-Sys or Motion Control System that was used for the magnificent motion control shots in BBC’s Planet Earth will provide festival participants with an amazing hands-on experience. Join award winning cinematographer, Andy Shillabear, who introduced this system to wildlife film making several years ago and Producer Mark Linfield, as they take participants through a step by step tryout. The Mo-Sys, designed and made by a London-based firm, (www.mosys.com), is now gaining increased use for a variety of high end shots.
3:30-5pm - Technical Workshop

Keynotes & Awards Gala, Free & Open to the Public
Master of Ceremonies: Chris Palmer
Dr. George Schaller to receive the IWFF Lifetime Achievement Award
Keynote: Conservation in Asia, Update on the ground breaking Pamir Workshops
Vanessa Berlowitz, Producer, BBC’s Planet Earth with clips of some never before seen footage
Festival Awards & Gala to follow keynotes
Co-Sponsored by the University of Montana and IWFF
Keynotes & Awards free to the general public; party by advance ticket purchase or registration

Saturday, May 19

Open Forum: Showcase of Works In Progress
Anatomy of Award-winners, Special Sessions
Please contact IWFF Staff to Sign Up for a presentation
12pm-1:30pm: Lunch On Your Own, IWFF Board & Advisory Board Luncheon
10-11:30am

And Now, For a Different Approach:
Fresh Ideas from the Next Generation
Most of the time, we hear great ideas from industry veterans but in this about-face, let’s consider some new ideas from the next generation of filmmakers; those in their teens and twenties who come to this field with a fresh perspective and more technological savvy than any generation before.
2pm-3:15pm

When is Wild Too Wild? Sex & Violence in Wildlife Programming
Ratings say sex & violence sell but what do members of the audience say - parents, teachers, film judges and filmmakers themselves? Are sex and violence needed? Is it justified? Is the audience getting what it deserves? Our Panel will be made up of viewers, judges and filmmakers. Hear what they have to say - you might be surprised!
3:30pm-5pm

Farewell Reception
Sponsored by the Center for Environmental Filmmaking, 6 pm

Final Film Screenings at the Wilma Theater - Best of Festival & other Award Winners
7:30 pm

Post Comments: