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Film financing on workshop agenda

investors willing to fund their fantasies will get a chance to hear some of the experts discuss the intricacies of film financing at a workshop tomorrow.

London-based producer and film finance consultant Adam Page, chief executive of The Ottawa Group, will chair a high-powered panel discussion on film production, risk and return, and the practical considerations of investing in the industry.

Lawyers Richard Moxon, Michael Levine and Keith Fleer will be part of the panel. They have all acted as brokers between investors and film makers in the industry. Panel member Warren Cabral, a partner at local law firm Appleby Spurling & Kempe, has recently launched an "Entertainment Group'' to look at new projects in the film industry and investments.

Mr. Moxon is a UK-based film lawyer with experience in European film finance and investment. Mr. Levine is a Canadian-based entertainment lawyer who has represented major Hollywood studios and independent producers, acting as a broker for blockbusters like the "X-Files'', "Good Will Hunting'' and "Jumanji''.

Mr. Fleer is a lawyer based in Beverley Hills, California.

In an interview Mr. Fleer said his law firm Tenenbaum Emanual & Fleer had helped to get financing for film projects and distribution. The firm has also advised people who want to broaden their portfolio with an investment in the film industry. "The up and coming filmmaker is looking for any available avenue to get their film made,'' he said. "The goal is to get the film made.

They have to be flexible, often at their own personal financial risk.'' He said potential investors have a range of avenues in which to put their money. They can put money into a company which can then make broad based investments, or they can directly finance a film they believe is going to make a return.

"For people who want to invest in a single film, the task is finding and structuring an investment,'' he said.

For filmmakers the choice of where to find money depends on the artistic dilemma -- art or money.

"If you are looking to make an artistic film that is intended to be a personal non-commercial statement look to places like museums for funding,'' he said. "If you want to make millions of dollars you need to be focused on mass public consumption. Film festivals are intended to display the intent of the filmmaker who wants to leap from the personal movie to something that has broader mass appeal.'' The Film Financing and Investment workshop begins at noon on Tuesday, May 5, at the Little Theatre.

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