Guided by an expert, examine the different ways to get your film into the marketplace.

There are no available registration dates at this time.

NOTE: This course will be held in a Live, Online format using the Zoom Platform.
The class will meet 1-4:30pm ET

Film industry veteran Jonathan Dana has steered many films to successful financing and distribution deals. His credits include classic independent features, mainstream films, and feature-length documentaries. Recently, he executive produced films as different as 2021’s The Ice Road, starring Liam Neeson, which sold to Netflix in the U.S. for a record $18 million and premiered as the number one show across the platform, and the 2021 Venice and Telluride premiere Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Life, A Song, which will be released theatrically in 2022 by Sony Pictures Classics

In this half-day workshop, Jonathan will explore the pathways to getting a film financed and sold for distribution.  Whether you are in the early stages of planning a project or have a finished film, this workshop will show you the options for how to move your film forward.

Among other topics, Jonathan will discuss how to approach financing sources, how financing deals are structured, studio financing, private equity investment, distribution presales, packaging, loans, tax incentives, developing a pitch deck, and how to successfully “work” a film festival.  He will also lead participants through the labyrinth of producer’s representatives, sales agents, how to approach a distributor, and the dynamics of a distribution deal.  Along the way, Jonathan will examine case studies from his own career.  Participants will have plenty of time to ask questions.

Leave with new understanding of how to successfully navigate the process of getting your film to an audience.

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Instructor: Jonathan Dana

Jonathan Dana has been a pioneer in the independent film business since 1971. He has supervised the acquisition, production, and/or distribution of over 100 films. His current credits include executive producing 2021’s The Ice Road, starring Liam Neeson, which sold to Netflix in the U.S. for a record $18 million and premiered as the number one show across the platform; executive producing the 2021 Venice and Telluride premiere Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Life, a Song, to be released theatrically in 2022 by Sony Pictures Classics; and serving as consulting producer on the upcoming music biodoc Wayne Shorter: Zero Gravity, currently in post production.

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