Press release
For immediate release: 8 June 2020
JAMES SCHAMUS TO JOIN FILM LONDON’S PRODUCTION FINANCE MARKET FOR LIVE INTERVIEW AND Q&A
Applications open for Film London Production Finance Market
- Apply via http://filmlondon.org.uk/industry/pfm by Monday 6th July
- Market to take place online 12 – 13 October 2020
Film London is pleased to announce that award winning screenwriter, producer and director James Schamus will join this year’s Film London Production Finance Market (PFM), which is set to take place from 12 – 13 October.
Golden Globe winner and Oscar nominee James Schamus is both practitioner and academic. He is the former CEO of Focus Features and has collaborated as screenwriter and producer with director Ang Lee on eleven films. Credits include Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Ice Storm and The Assistant to name but a few.
James Schamus said: “What a pleasure to have received this invitation to converse with my colleagues in London this autumn. Who knows what the world will look like then? But whatever lies ahead for the cinema and for cinematic storytellers, we do know that now more than ever we need to stay connected and to share the journey forward together, and the Production Finance Market affords a perfect gathering point to join that march.”
Now in its 14th year, this year’s Market takes place in unprecedented circumstances. With the health and safety of speakers and delegates at the forefront of event planning, this year’s event is set to take place online. Film London will adopt practices successfully pioneered earlier this year at their online Games Finance Market and take the opportunity to allow for greater international participation and engagement.
Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “Year on year the Production Finance Market adapts to answer the demands of the industry. We recognise the scale of hardship and economic challenges faced by producers, and this year it is more important than ever that we continue to foster a collaborative and diverse environment, where filmmakers and financiers can be introduced, build relationships and work towards potential deals. Moving the event online is not only an appropriate response to the complex times and challenging business environment but will also provide an opportunity to allow for greater international participation.
“We are delighted to welcome legendary writer, producer and director James Schamus as our guest of honor for a live interview and Q&A. He is an extraordinarily diverse creative talent working in a multiplicity of roles across independent features, studio blockbusters, TV and online platforms, making his insight into the film business so unique.
“The Production Finance Market is made possible thanks to support from the Mayor of London, BFI and DIT and I’d like to express our gratitude for enabling Film London to deliver the Market during these challenging times.”
The PFM is an annual two-day financing event for film held during the BFI London Film Festival. The market connects filmmakers and financiers from across the globe through 1-2-1 meetings as a way to navigate potential business partners and investment. The main strand accommodates feature film projects with budgets above €1m, while the New Talent Strand targets budgets below €1m. To apply visit http://filmlondon.org.uk/industry/pfm.
To add to a strong roster of strategic European PFM partners, Holland – The Netherlands Film Commission, South Africa – The National Film & Video Foundation, Canada – Ontario Creates/International Financing Forum, EAVE and Creative Europe Media Desk Catalunya are set to attend PFM.
The Market is supported by the Mayor of London, the BFI London Film Festival and the Department for International Trade (DIT). Applications for the PFM close on Monday 6th July.
–Ends–
For further press information, please contact:
Haylie Read
T: 07787 254 250
E: haylie.read@filmlondon.org.uk
Notes to Editors
James Schamus (Producer) is an award-winning screenwriter (The Ice Storm) and producer (Brokeback Mountain) as well as the former CEO of Focus Features (Dallas Buyers Club, Lost in Translation, Milk, The Pianist). His feature directorial debut, Indignation, was an adaptation of Philip Roth’s novel and starred Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon and Tracy Letts. The film premiered at the 2016 Sundance and Berlin film festivals before being released by Roadside Attractions. Schamus’ New York-based production company, Symbolic Exchange, helped produce Kitty Green’s acclaimed feature documentary Casting JonBenet, which made its world premiere at Sundance and launched on Netflix in 2017, as well as Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire’s A Prayer Before Dawn, which premiered at Cannes in 2017 and was released by A24 the following year. His recent projects include Rhys Ernst’s Adam, starring Margaret Qualley; Noble Jones’ The Tomorrow Man, starring John Lithgow and Blythe Danner; and Andrew Ahn’s Driveways, starring Hong Chau and Brian Dennehy. Schamus is professor of professional practice at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, where he teaches film history and theory.
About Film London
Film London is the capital’s screen industries agency. We connect ideas, talent and finance to develop a pioneering creative culture in the city that delivers success in film, television, animation, games and beyond. We work to sustain, promote and develop London as a global content production hub, support the development of the city’s new and emerging filmmaking talent and invest in a diverse and rich film culture. Funded by the Mayor of London and the National Lottery through the BFI, we also receive support from Arts Council England, ScreenSkills and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Film London’s activities include:
- Maintaining, strengthening and promoting London’s position as world-class city to attract investment through film, television, animation and games
- Investing in local talent through a range of specialised production and training schemes
- Boosting employment and competitiveness in the capital’s screen industries by delivering internationally facing business development events
- Maximising access to the capital’s film culture by helping audiences discover film in all its diversity
- Promoting London through screen tourism
Film London also manages the British Film Commission (www.britishfilmcommission.org.uk) through a public/private partnership which is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport through the BFI, and the Department for International Trade.
Haylie Read
Senior Press & Communications Manager
Film London and the British Film Commission
The Arts Building | Morris Place | London N4 3JG
Mobile: +44 (0)7787 254 250
www.britishfilmcommission.org.uk
@Film_London | @FilmInUK_BFC
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