This is topic Requesting info on Film Festival Bookings in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Gordon Hedges III (Member # 863) on 10-18-2002, 08:24 PM:
I have a friend who is trying to find out how to book foreign films for a film festival(?) his class instructor is working on. They are interested in Italian films.I don't know exactly how this is done, but could someone please point us to the right direction. Thanks in advance.
Posted by Joe Beres (Member # 678) on 10-19-2002, 10:45 AM:
If the film has ever played another festival, especially one of the big ones, the contact info for the print provider or the filmmakers is usually available from the festival, often in their program or on their website. If it hasn't played anywhere domestically or at a festival, it's time to start digging. If you know of any place that has booked the film, you can usually call them and they may be willing to give you some contact information. They will need to try to get a hold of the distribution company if there is one, or even the filmmakers themsleves. Most filmmakers want their films to be seen, and I have found that more often than not, the filmmakers are happy to assist with the booking if not handle it themselves. It all depends on the particular film's state of distribution. Once you get in touch with the right people, it's a matter of negotiation over price, shipping terms, availability, etc. I hope that helps. If I can be of any more help, please let me know.
Posted by Michael Schaffer (Member # 1204) on 10-19-2002, 11:03 AM:
MD stands for Maryland? Why don`t you visit the Italian embassy in Washington? Embassies often have a cultural attaché who very likely can help you get in touch with the right people and usually, they have small funds at their disposal so you could even receive a little financial support if your program is "cultural".
Michael
Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 10-21-2002, 09:01 AM:
quote:
If the film has ever played another festival, especially one of the big ones, the contact info for the print provider or the filmmakers is usually available from the festival, often in their program or on their website.
The British Film Institute keep detailed records of films which have been run at the Natiuonal Film Theatre in London. Contact details are on their web site at www.bfi.org.uk. They run a lot of foreign films, certainly including some italian ones, so they may have the information you need.
Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 10-21-2002, 02:31 PM:
It all depends on that films distribution here in the US.
Because after films play, places like Sundance etc etc.
They get picked up by the studios special distribution
departments. You may try Miramax Films here in NYC.
Another company here in town, handles 35mm and 16mm
distribution of foreign films. Kino
Kino Films and Video
333 W. 39th St. Suite 503
New York, NY 10018 www.kino.com They handled the new 35mm version of "Metropolis"
Posted by Gordon Hedges III (Member # 863) on 10-21-2002, 03:56 PM:
Thank you for your responses. I will tell my friend all of your suggestions. 
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 10-21-2002, 06:06 PM:
Kino is great; I just spoke with them today, actually. They are very reasonable people to deal with and actually seem to take an interest in helping out their customers. This is very unlike that Big Nontheatrical Distributor whose name rhymes with "Wank."Their phone number is 800-562-3330.
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 10-21-2002, 09:12 PM:
Have you tried Media Salles? They can coordinate getting most European product from the appropriate distributor:
here ------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 10-21-2002, 09:37 PM:
Film Forum in NYC has a handy list of distributors on their web site: here