Festival Beat

The Independent Feature Film Market in New York sets itself apart as a premier marketing opportunity for independent moviemakers by encompassing scripts, shorts, and works-in progress.

by Brian O'Hare | Published September 4, 1994

You've just finished your independent feature master­piece. The inevitable question "now what?" slowly creeps into your brain, and the cinematic equivalent of postpartum depression takes hold of your life. You spend endless days in bed watching marathon sessions of The honeymooners and sustaining yourself on bags of Doritos Lite. You realize that something has got to be done to get your vision out to the ticket buying masses Suddenly, as Ralph launches into one of his trademark diatribes, your answer stares you in the face! The obvious solution to your feature film blues is some serious New York attitude, served up in big attention-grabbing heapsn by the Independent Feature Project and its unparalleled Independent Feature Film Market.

The Independent Fea­ture Project (IFP), ac­cording to their stated mission, was organized as a not-for-profit membership organization of directors, screenwriters, producers, distributors and other film industry professionals, dedicated to the support and promotion of independent filmmaking. The IFP provides the confederation of like­minded industry people with the opportunity to conduct business, exchange ideas and socialize at year-round seminars and screenings.

The real reason though, for joining the IFP, other "than for the obvious industry contacts, is the Independent Feature Film Market (IFFM), sponsored by the IFP every September in New York City since 1979. The IFFM, like the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, has emerged as one of the premiere places for the film industry to discover breakthrough films. Landmark films such as Badlands, Blood Simple, Clerks, Paris is Burning, Roger and Me and Stranger than Paradise got their first breath of public life during past markets.

Part of the overall appeal of the IFFM is that it is committed to the development of up-and-coming independent talent as well as veteran filmmakers. Each year the market hosts over 2,500 filmmakers, distributors, television and home video buyers, agents, development execs and festival programmers from all over the world, all hungry for the next big thing. Your next big thing. A quick glance at the IFFM alumni roster reveals a veritable Who's Who of American filmmakers, including such luminaries as the Coen Brothers, Whit Stillman, John Sayles and Michael Moore. IFFM director Rachael Shapiro has described the environment of the Market as a "launch pad for upcoming independent talent as well as for filmmakers with a track record." Filmmakers would have to agree that terms like "launch pad" are enticing. Basically, if you've got the goods, this is the place to show your stuff

Dottie Got Spanked: The "NEXT BIG THING?"

The scope of the IFFM goes beyond completed feature films, encompassing short films, scripts and works-in­progress. Works-in-progress are limited to unfinished feature length films seeking financing, finishing funds or distribution and are presented in a 25­minute "pitch and view" format. From a screenwriter's point of view, the inclusion of scripts in the IFFM package is a godsend for young writers vying for attention. Registered scripts for feature length films are entered in the IFFM catalogue and are available to market attendees for on-site review. In addition to the increased visibility of scripts at the IFFM, a pre-market script consultation and targeted programming are provided for IFP screenwriters.

A testament to the IFFM success record is filmmaker Kevin Smith and the fairytale rise of his film Clerks. Shot for less money than a year's stay at New York University Film School, Smith was able to ride the success of his film from New Jersey unknown to Hollywood insider. After its showing at the IFFM, Clerks was invited to screen at Sundance, where it was picked up by Miramax for distribution.

How do the rest of the 324 participating projects compare to the success of Clerks? According to Market Director Shapiro, "at least 50 received a festival invitation, agent interest, or a TV, video or distribution deal." Pretty impressive numbers for such a hit-and­miss industry.

New York's IFFM is a formidable assemblage of talent and opportunities. Sitting at the crossroads of the media, entertainment and financial worlds, the IFFM is truly the place to achieve maximum exposure for your film project. In the future, when looking to make some very loud noise for your film, take a tip from noisemaker extraordinaire Ralph Kramden, and do it with the International Feature Film Market. For IFP membership information contact Henry Rodriguez at 212-465-8200.

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