Affiliates

The Institute for International Film Financing ("IIFF") is an innovative, independent social-impact organization dedicated to bridging the gap between the worlds of filmmaking and finance. IIFF's one-of-a-kind mission is to prudently expand the scope and appeal of film financing in an economically sustainable manner, for the benefit of all stakeholders including the public at large.

Established in 2003 by former investment banker Thomas Trenker, IIFF is incorporated in California as a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 public-benefit corporation headquartered in San Francisco. IIFF remedies stifling inefficiencies in film financing and cultivates success in independent film by instituting a trusted platform for research, education, networking and collaboration at the nexus of film and finance. IIFF represents the interests —and addresses the challenges— of film entrepreneurs and investors alike, and serves the public benefit by reinvigorating independent film.

Educational programs of the Institute for Int'l Film Financing include:

• The "Film Financing Workshop" series of seminars teaches filmmakers and financiers fundamental as well as advanced techniques of success in film financing. Topics include understanding and preparing film business plans, traditional and nontraditional financing strategies, effective pitch presentations, and legal documents essential to film financing.

• The "Mentorship Program" is a nonprofit service that teams up volunteer mentors from qualified business backgrounds with select mentees from the creative world of filmmaking. Mentors and mentees join forces for three months to prepare or complete a compelling film business plan that meets the highest standards and improves the filmmaker’s ability to obtain financing.

• The "Business Plan Roundtable" is a peer-support collective patterned after the proven model of screenwriting groups. It provides a grassroots forum for film entrepreneurs to develop and refine business plans —along with business planning and pitch presentation skills— within a peer support structure, thus empowering them to collaboratively overcome obstacles. Roundtable members meet to constructively critique and support each other on their way to film financing success.

IIFF's educational programs complement one another in bridging the gap that has traditionally kept filmmakers and financiers from achieving mutual success. IIFF supplements its educational offerings with networking events for filmmakers, financiers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in film and finance. These gatherings include IIFF's popular, monthly community meetings. True to IIFF's motto of "democratizing film financing," community meetings bring together a wide array of professionals from relevant backgrounds in film, finance and beyond for a vibrant evening of insightful presentations, inspiring discussion and focused networking.

More Information: http://filmfinancing.org/