Join us for the highly anticipated 14th Annual International Film Finance Forum, where top-tier executives and award-winning filmmakers from around the world explore emerging trends, innovative finance strategies, international partnerships, sales & distribution trends, and essential tools for staying ahead.
Our diverse panel discussions will offer invaluable insight into the ever-evolving world of entertainment finance as well as new content trends. The afternoon will also feature intimate fireside chats with industry VIPs, where they will share firsthand accounts of their journeys in the industry and their unfiltered advice. It has been an exciting, challenging, and revolutionary year for the Entertainment Industry, and we can’t wait to dive into it all on May 17th!

Exciting Speakers and agenda to be announced SOON!

AGENDA 2024

(subject to change)

2:00pm – 2:05pm
Welcoming Address
 

2:05pm - 2:45pm
Embracing International Partnerships: Unlocking the Potential of Co-Productions

In today's ever-connected entertainment landscape, the buzz phrase on everyone's lips is "International Co-Productions." As audiences crave boundary-breaking collaborations on their screens, the quest for new alliances has reached new heights.

Yet, navigating this collaboration and finding the perfect strategic partner can be a challenging endeavor.

Join us as we explore the exciting world of International Partnerships and Co-Productions, where executives from around the globe will share their invaluable advice.

Gain insight into how to identify the right partners for mutual growth, as well as a glimpse into emerging film locations and funding opportunities that are surging around the world.

Our esteemed speakers will provide expert advice and vital tips on how to successfully overcome challenges and reshape your approach to International collaborations. 

PANELISTS:

Karen Robson - Partner, Pryor Cashman

Wayne Borg - Managing Director Media Industries, NEOM

2:45pm - 3:15pm
FIRESIDE CHAT: Short Form Content, Long Term Impact

Lida Bilokur - Amazon Live

Shermin Lakha - Founder - LVLUP Legal & Agency

Tyler Sabino - Senior Manager of Creative & Brand Strategy - Triller

3:15pm-4:00pm
State Of The Industry; State of Film Finance

The definition of a successful film is constantly evolving, both in major studios and independent settings, prompting filmmakers to reassess what will resonate with audiences and attract commercial success.

Today, filmmakers must strike a balance between staying authentic to their storytelling, appealing to a specific target audience, and satisfying investors. This delicate juggling act can be overwhelming. Plus, securing funding for film projects can be challenging, requiring a deep understanding of emerging funding options. How can filmmakers effectively tap into these resources? 

Join our panel of accomplished speakers from around the world as they discuss global trends, film financing, and overcoming obstacles so that important stories can get financed and delivered to international audiences. 

PANELISTS:

Jon Gosier - Founder and CEO, FilmHedge

Jeff Bazoian - Managing Director, Head of Media & Entertainment, Fifth Third Bank

Katie Irwin – Agent, WME Independent

4:00pm – 4:30pm
FIRESIDE CHAT TO BE ANNOUNCED

4:30pm – 5:15pm
The Brave New World of International Sales & Distribution 
Sales & Distribution trends in the film industry are constantly shifting, driven by accelerated advancements in technology, evolving audience behaviors and an influx of more content transcending borders. 

As the landscape is rapidly changing, remaining flexible and knowledgeable is the key to success. This session will bring together international leaders in the field as they discuss emerging sales strategies, what films work and why, evolving distribution patterns and more. Embracing new industry trends allows filmmakers to remain creative, innovative, and appealing to the wider global audiences. 

Joining this session will allow storytellers from around the world to benefit from a global view of the sales and distribution marketplace and feel confident in taking their projects to the next level!

PANELISTS:

Maren Olson - EVP Film, 30West

Yale Chasin – Media Finance Agent, CAA

Kent Sanderson - President, Bleecker Street

5:15pm - 5:45pm
FIRESIDE CHAT TO BE ANNOUNCED

Speaking Faculty

Jeff Bazoian - Managing Director, Head of Media & Entertainment, Fifth Third Bank

Prior to joining Fifth Third Bank as the Head of Media and Entertainment, Mr. Bazoian spent seven years at JP Morgan as a Managing Director in the Entertainment Industries Group in Los Angeles.  Mr. Bazoian managed a portfolio of media and entertainment clients focused on independent film and television companies, music, video games and digital media companies.  During Mr. Bazoian’s time at JP Morgan he built out a music financing platform positioning JP Morgan as the prominent market leader. 

Mr. Bazoian joined JP Morgan following 11 years at Rabobank International where from 2010 he was the Head of Capital Markets and from 2013 the CEO of Rabobank Securities USA.  He led the bank’s Capital Markets Americas business focused on loan syndication, securitization products, USPP, Euro bonds and European equities as well as developing new markets in Latin America.

Mr. Bazoian joined Rabobank International’s Securitization business in 2004 from CIBC World Markets where he was an Executive Director in the investment bank’s New York Asset Securitization Group, focused on originating and transacting middle market loan warehouse facilities and CLOs, wholesale dealer floor plans, trade receivables, equipment leases as well as future flow sports and entertainment transactions.  Starting with CIBC in 1996, Mr. Bazoian worked in several of the investment bank’s businesses including Credit Risk Management and Corporate Finance (with a focus on middle market mezzanine debt financing and corporate restructuring).

Jon Gosier - Founder and CEO, FilmHedge

Jon Gosier is the founder of investment firm and family office Southbox Capital (a.k.a. Gosier Holdings). Southbox has a diverse portfolio of assets spanning a credit facility, tech investments, real estate, and venture capital totaling more than $200M in value.

Jon is also the Founder and CEO of FilmHedge, a private credit fin-tech company that finances Film and TV productions up to $20M per production. FilmHedge is one of the fastest growing lenders to Hollywood. 
Prior to that he was the founder of Audigent, recently named one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the country by INC5000 and Deloitte. That company provided music artists like Camila Cabello, Eminem, Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Shakira, Rihanna, Jay-Z, and others new ways of understanding data with corporate partners that include: Condé Nast, TransUnion, Warner Music Group, Penske, a360 Media, Fandom and many others. 

His 2014 TEDTalk about ethical innovation has been viewed millions of times.

Karen Robson - Partner, Pryor Cashman

LA lawyer, Karen Robson is a self-described “multicultural aficionado” who closely follows the entertainment industry’s emerging markets around the globe and the business, financial and technical innovations that are shaping its future. A native of Australia, Karen had a brief career as an actress in her homeland, including a major role in the Peter Weir cult favorite “Picnic at Hanging Rock” and also practiced as a media lawyer in Sydney. Then, she moved to the United States, becoming the first female partner in her U.S law firm Pryor Cashman, where she still practices. At Pryor Cashman she has acted as a dealmaker in the Media and Entertainment law transactional space, first, in New York City and then as founder of the firm’s Los Angeles office. A seasoned professional, Karen has represented domestic and foreign motion picture and television financiers, banks, equity investors, hedge funds, studios, broadcast and SVOD networks and production and distribution companies. She also advises individual content creators, including writers, directors and producers, particularly female creators. Clients rely on Karen to effectively negotiate and close financial arrangements and distribution deals and she assists international co-production entities identify and obtain U.S. and international tax incentives. She helps lenders and producers structure film financings, including senior and mezzanine debt and equity. Karen additionally advises on intellectual property transactions, including complex rights deals, and new ways to optimize and monetize audio-visual content multi-platform collaborations. Karen has also represented numerous entertainment companies in corporate investment in the media landscape in the US (and sometimes, regrettably, in US bankruptcy situations). She also executive produces dramatic and documentary feature films with her Iranian American filmmaker husband and their cinematographer daughter.

Katie Irwin - Agent and Co-Head of International Sales, WME Independent

Katie Irwin sits on the film team at WME Independent where in addition to handling sales and distribution, she advises on financing and packaging for a wide-ranging slate of films. With her expertise, she has strategically helped package and sell the upcoming films Daddio starring Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson, Clicquot starring Haley Bennett and Tom Sturridge, Tin Soldier starring Jaimee Foxx and Scott Eastwood, and N.A.R with Hilary Swank.

Prior to WME Independent, she was part of the film group at Endeavor Content where she managed titles such as the Oscar® nominated The Lost Daughter, the critically acclaimed PIG and audience favorite The Peanut Butter Falcon.

 As a consultant, Irwin provided services for companies including GoldCrest, AMBI Distribution and a Chinese distribution company for which she was based in Beijing. Before this, she was Vice President at Fortitude International handling films such as Sundance Film Festival Official Selection The End of the Tour, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Sigel.

Irwin spent six years at Myriad Pictures where she negotiated international distribution deals for films like Academy Award® nominated Margin Call and the two-part love story The Disappearance of Elenor Rigby starring Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Viola Davis.

Irwin has taken several hiatuses from the entertainment industry to work with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), leading field logistics for projects in South Sudan, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Moreover, as part of an MSF COVID-19 response team in the early days of the pandemic, she was stationed in Immokalee, FL to support the migrant farmworker population.  She is full of gratitude for her colleagues and friends in the industry who have supported her in this endeavor over the years.

Fluent in French and conversational in Mandarin, Irwin began her career in film and TV production in Chicago, relocating to Los Angeles in 2007 to work for Gianni Nunnari’s Hollywood Gang Productions. She received her undergraduate degree from DePaul University in Chicago, and after graduating moved to Jilin City in China to teach film studies at Dongbei Dianli University.

Maren Olson - EVP, Film, 30WEST

Maren Olson is EVP, Film at 30WEST where she manages the fast-growing company’s slate of projects, including the forthcoming A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY, written by Seith Reiss, directed by Kogonada and starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell; TOGETHER, written and directed by Michael Shanks and starring Alison Brie and Dave Franco; HELL OF A SUMMER written and directed by Finn Wolfhard and Billy Bryk; the re-imagining of THE CROW directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs; the musical biopic FRED & GINGER; and genre-bending thriller DAY DRINKER.

Olson joined 30WEST from leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where she spent seven years as an agent in the Media Finance department, specializing in packaging and representation of independently financed films, including DOG, directed by Reid Carolin and Channing Tatum and starring Tatum; I, TONYA, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Margot Robbie; LATE NIGHT, directed by Nisha Ganatra and starring Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson; THE PALE BLUE EYE, directed by Scott Cooper and starring Christian Bale and Harry Melling; BLINK TWICE, directed by Zoe Kravitz and starring Naomi Ackie and Channing Tatum; and THE DELIVERANCE, directed by Lee Daniels and starring Glenn Close, Octavia Spencer and Rob Morgan. 

Prior to CAA, Olson served as President of Traction Media, an independent film production and domestic sales company. While there, she oversaw the creative development, packaging, production, financing, and sales of over 80 films on the Traction Media slate, including 2011 Best Foreign Language Oscar winner THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES. She produced Destin Daniel Cretton’s sophomore feature SHORT TERM 12, which was nominated for and won multiple awards including both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at SXSW. Olson also produced AVA’S POSSESSIONS, directed by Jordan Galland and starring Louisa Krause, and her executive producing work includes THE WANNABE, starring Patricia Arquette. 

Tyler Sabino - Senior Manager, Triller/Creative & Brand Strategy

Tyler Sabino, a seasoned executive in content innovation, believes in the power of community to amplify content impact. With a dynamic career spanning from talent management to senior roles in brand strategy, Tyler is able to navigate the entertainment industry with specialised knowledge and creativity.

As a Senior Manager in Creative & Brand Strategy at Triller, Tyler spearheaded groundbreaking projects that redefined short-form content. Notably, his role in producing the award-winning "Verzuz" series showcased his ability to harness the power of creativity and technology, driving unprecedented engagement and impact.

Now, as co-founder of 'The Shift,' Tyler continues to push boundaries, crafting immersive experiences that resonate across diverse audiences. His expertise lies in leveraging insights and strategies to create content with lasting influence.

Wayne Borg - Managing Director Media Industries, NEOM

Wayne Borg is an accomplished international executive with an unparalleled 20-plus years of experience in leadership roles in the media and creative industries. As Managing Director Media Industries, he is developing these key industry sectors as part of the wider ambitions of NEOM.    

Having lived and worked in Australia, Europe, Asia, the United States and the Middle East, he has led key divisions of major iconic international media and entertainment businesses and driven broad-brush strategic and policy initiatives for government in the media, cultural and creative industries sectors.

Yale Chasin - Media Finance Agent, CAA

Yale Chasin is a Media Finance Agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Chasin is based in the Los Angeles office and specializes in the packaging and representation of independently financed films. Chasin has been involved in the sales and financing of such titles as Julian Schnabel’s upcoming HAND OF DANTE, Aneil Karia’s HAMLET, and LOCKED.

Before joining CAA in 2023, Chasin oversaw development, production, and financing for the CJ ENM’s film division. During his time at CJ ENM, Chasin co-produced Best Picture Oscar nominee PAST LIVES and worked on the acquisition of Fifth Season, previously known as Endeavor Content. Prior to CJ ENM, he was an Agent in UTA’s Independent Film Group, where he packaged films, including GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE, SWISS ARMY MAN, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, ROOM, EIGHTH GRADE, and I, TONYA. He was previously Vice President of International Sales and Distribution at The Weinstein Company.  He began his career in the mail room at Endeavor. 

Chasin graduated from Bard College.

Christopher Woodrow - Founder and Chairman, Media Capital Technologies

Christopher Woodrow is the Founder and Chairman of Media Capital Technologies (MCT), a specialty finance company focused on strategic investments in premium content. The company provides capital to media and entertainment businesses, including major motion picture studios, significant independent production entities, and preeminent intellectual property rights-holders. He is responsible for guiding the strategic vision of MCT and oversees the global development of its brand and franchise.

Woodrow has financed and executive produced numerous films over the past year with Lionsgate, including "About My Father", "Bagman", "Cobweb", "Expend4bles", "Flight Risk", "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare", "Never Let Go", and "Shadow Force".

Woodrow was the Founder and served as Chairman and CEO of Vendian Entertainment and Worldview Entertainment, motion picture finance and production companies that produced over 30 notable feature films under his leadership. The films, including Fox Searchlight's critically acclaimed hit "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)", Warner Bros.' adaptation "Black Mass", and Lionsgate's success "Hacksaw Ridge", grossed more than $700 million in worldwide box office revenue, were nominated for 16 Academy Awards®, and won six Oscars®, including Best Picture.

Prior to this, Woodrow was the Managing Director of Prospect Point Capital, an investment company focused on structured finance and venture capital opportunities in media and entertainment. He was previously a Vice President at Citigroup Global Markets and worked in investment banking at Oppenheimer & Co. Woodrow began his career managing business development at Syrinex Communications, a pioneer in the evolution of the internet server appliance. He performed his undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama.

Thank you to our Partners

Gold Partners

NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a New Future might look like. It is a region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea being built from the ground up as a living laboratory – a place where entrepreneurship will chart the course for this New Future. It will be a destination and a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental conservation. 

NEOM will include hyperconnected, cognitive cities, ports and enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues and tourist destinations. As a hub for innovation, entrepreneurs, business leaders and companies will come to research, incubate and commercialize new technologies and enterprises in groundbreaking ways. Residents of NEOM will embody an international ethos and embrace a culture of exploration, risk-taking and diversity. For further information email media@neom.com or visit www.neom.com and www.neom.com/en-us/newsroom.  

Founded in 2020, FilmHedge is one of the fastest growing lenders in media finance. As a senior lender, FilmHedge provides private credit and financing solutions to qualified TV and Film producers, offering up to $20 million per production. In addition to financing, the company collects financial data that helps other financiers (hedge funds, family offices, banks etc) determine the credit worthiness of producers and production companies.To date the team behind FilmHedge have underwritten more than 40 feature films. For more information on FilmHedge visit: https://www.filmhedge.com.

Supporting Partners

In a sector with unlimited growth potential that’s tempered with significant and evolving risk, your financial solutions team needs an eye on the horizon and feet on the ground. The Fifth Third Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group understands the challenges—and opportunities—inherent in an evolving landscape and can provide comprehensive financial solutions to help meet them head-on. Founded in 1858, Fifth Third Bank has had the singular purpose of helping to improve the lives of our customers through sound banking principles and superior service. Visit 53.com/TMT.

Pryor Cashman is an award-winning midsize law firm with more than 200 attorneys. Our firm spans across three offices in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, serving a diverse client base around the globe. No matter the office or location, we are known for getting the job done right, and doing it with integrity, efficiency, and style.

Unrestricted by bureaucracy, our lawyers are empowered to make independent, informed, and creative decisions for clients. We staff our client teams leanly, devising cost-sensible strategies and eliminating logjams to provide service that goes above and beyond what clients may expect from a legal provider.

Pryor Cashman has earned a national reputation for excellence and sits atop numerous rankings, having been named a top Midsize Firm in New York by Vault for multiple years in a row (2019-2024). Chambers & Partners, Best Lawyers in America, The Legal 500, World Trademark Review, and many others have consistently named our firm and our attorneys among the best in the United States in a wide array of practice areas, industries, and sectors.