LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 8, 2014) - Major players from the world's entertainment superpowers are coming together to address the topics of global filmmaking, television production, financing, distribution, equipment and technology at the inaugural U.S. China Film & TV Industry (UCFTI) Expo, September 15-16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Bianca Chen, CEO of the UCFTI Expo, calls the conference "a meeting of the minds" and "the perfect place to collaborate and create business bridges" with confirmed speakers from Relativity Media, The Weinstein Company, Dreamworks Animation, Universal Pictures International, Huayi Brothers, ARRI, Technicolor, Prime Focus World, Shanghai Film Association, Galloping Horse, and more than 40 other global companies, producers, directors and screenwriters.
Ten panels throughout the two-day expo will cover the following topics:
The Art of Deal-Making in China
Sponsored by O'Melveny & Myers, this panel will discuss joint ventures, film financing and capitalization, as well as rights and content. Moderated by O'Melveny & Myers partner Matthew Erramouspe, Stephen Scharf, Managing Partner of O'Melveny & Myers, Joe Ravitch, CEO of Raine Group, Steve Ransohoff, Co-President of Film Finances, Jeffrey Chan, CEO of Distribution Workshop, Tom McGrath, COO of STX Entertainment, and William Pfeiffer, CEO of Dragongate.
The Process of Making Films in China
Co-production expert Barbara Robinson will moderate this discussion on co-productions and distribution in China, highlighting companies that have done it successfully. Panelists include Ryan Kavanaugh, CEO of Relativity Media, David Glasser, COO of The Weinstein Company, Nansun Shi of Distribution Workshop, Bill Kong, Producer, Joe Finnegan, President for ProSight Specialty Insurance Entertainment Programs, Felice Bee, President of Huayi Brothers, and Zhang Xun, President of Yunnan Film Group and Former General Manager for China Film Co-Production Corporation.
The Business Bridge Between China and Hollywood
Jason E. Squire, Associate Film Professor at USC and Visiting Professor of the Beijing Film Academy will moderate this discussion on the strategic business practices to help bridge China and Hollywood. Panelists include Lew Coleman, Vice Chairman of Dreamworks Animation, Jill Tandy, Executive Vice President of Commercial Affairs with Universal Pictures International, David Lee, CEO of Leeding Media, Jody Simon, Partner of Fox Rothschild, Ivy Zhong, Vice Chairman and General Manager of Galloping Horse, and Wang TianYun, Vice Chairman of Shanghai Film Association.
Digital, Post-Production and Technology
Tech Editor of Deadline Hollywood, David Bloom, will moderate the digital post-production and technology panel, addressing the ever changing needs and global networks. Panelists include Jonathan Porath, Global Senior Vice President of Entertainment Services at Technicolor, Namit Malhotra, CEO of Prime Focus World, Larry Chernoff, CEO of MTI Film and Founder of Encore Video, Wes Donahue, Director of Channel Sales and Marketing at PRECO, Max Howard, producer and animation industry consultant, and Glenn Kennel, CEO of ARRI.
The Emerging Market For Television Co-Productions in China
Television industry experts will discuss the current state of their marketplace, led by moderator Terry McCarthy, President and CEO of the LA World Affairs Council. Panelists include television producer Bobby Roth, Larry Namer, President and CEO of Metan Development Group, Stephen L. Saltzman of Loeb & Loeb, Yuan Lizhang, CEO of Beijing Haihua Sunlight Film and TV Broadcasting, and William Pfeiffer, CEO of Dragongate.
The Evolution of Filmmaking in China
Moderated by Maria L. Orzel, Producer at Studio Strada, this panel will provide firsthand accounts on how the production experience in China has evolved, including a look at current practices and a glimpse into the future of filmmaking. Panelists include David Linde, Founder and Producer of Lava Bear Films, Kim R. Holland, President of Entertainment Finance LLC and Honorary U.S.-China Cultural Ambassador, Brendan Davis, Co-Founder of Kilin International, Shan Dongbing, Vice President of Le Vision Picture International, Jiang Wusheng, CEO of Beijing Juhe Yinglian Media Co., and Wang TianYun, Vice Chairman of Shanghai Film Association.
Additional panels include: How a Great Script is Made, hosted by the Writers Guild of America; Defining the Producer, hosted by the Producers Guild of America; Online Streaming Media - Development and Trends with speakers from Medialink, Le Vision Picture International, Defy Media, MAKERS, Seven Stars Entertainment and Jiaflix; and China's Entertainment Real Estate Model.
Mayor Eric Garcetti will also be in attendance on Monday, Sept. 15th to honor Los Angeles and Hollywood as the global film capital and to provide opening day remarks.
Additional keynotes throughout the two Expo days include Tuo Zuhai, Chairman of China Cultural Media Group, and Bennett Pozil, Executive Vice President of Corporate Banking with East West Bank. To learn more about the Expo or for registration, please visit ucftiexpo.com.
About The UCFTI Expo
The U.S. China Film & TV Industry Expo, taking place September 15-16, 2014 at the Los Angeles Convention Center will bring together top executives, producers and creative teams from the world's two leading entertainment markets to tackle the big issues and tough questions related to U.S.-China collaboration. Expo participants will gain insights and contacts to help them successfully work in each other's markets. The program is designed to bridge cultural differences and foster real exchange and collaboration among potential creative and business partners. For more information, please visit ucftiexpo.com.