Script Pool 2024 program includes panels and workshops that provide valuable insight for proceeding with the first film project and various opportunities to meet industry professionals and build your professional network.
The winners of the Script Pool competition will receive an exclusive opportunity to attend The Write Retreat in Mallorca!
When attending Script Pool 2024, you can benefit from the events below:
The session will give overall feedback on the project.
Marietta has worked with filmmakers worldwide (among others Nepal, Mongolia, Myanmar, Korea, Philippines, Czech Republic, Hungary, China, Pakistan, Taiwan) at international labs such as Sundance and Torino Film Lab, Biennale College Venice and Open Doors Locarno, Midpoint and Cinelink Drama. She wrote and co-produced the political thriller Call Girl, and writes for film and TV (including Netflix). She co-wrote The Swedish Torpedo (Toronto 2024). She is a voting Member of the European Film Academy, and co-founder of the Write Retreat.
Each project will also learn under the wing of David Pope, a screenwriter and script consultant working internationally, including with Academy Award and BAFTA-nominated producers and screenwriters. As a pitch mentor, he will help the team present the project in front of an audience by creating a 5-minute pitch together with the team.
One of Discovery Campus's main partners, The International Screen Institute, a non-profit organisation (e.V.) providing first-class training for European and international film and TV creatives and executives, will conduct four workshops for Script Pool participants.
Sessions will be designed and delivered by Julia Short (International Screen Institute Consultant) and Benjamin Cölle.
Workshop 1. What does a sales company do and why you might want one?
The session will break down a sales company’s role and tasks starting from business models and share further top tips on how to determine the right sales company for the project. The 60 minute presentation will be followed by a Q&A.
The participants will have an understanding of the sales company’s role, different business models while helping you to find out the right one for your project (all rights, home entertainment and TV driven, festival focused and specialist) and other relevant considerations.
Workshop 2. What does a distributor do?
The distribution world is very complex, and it is hard to discern what services a film and documentary distributor actually provides or should provide. There is often confusion about where a sales company’s services end and a distributor’s services start. The session will deliver a clear breakdown of the distribution sector and best practices for making deals and working with distributors.
The audience will have an understanding of film distributor’s role and tasks, distribution costs, film distributor expectations and needs from a filmmaker and an overview of the information to request before making a deal or approving a distribution deal
Workshop 3. Festival Panel
The strategy for your film may be to launch at a festival, but which is the right festival or the right strand? Do international buyers attend? Will your film get reviewed? Does your film really rely on a festival launch? Would a specialist festival suit better? The session will focus on the options so the participants can design their film festival strategy.
The participants will understand festivals and their various strands, know more about the alternatives to the A List, learn about specialist festival landscape and get some tips & advice. The workshop will also explain when, and in what stage of the production process the selectors view films and how to be prepare for when your film is selected.
Workshop 4. Open Festival Session on Audience Design
The workshop encourages filmmakers to find and build early audience engagement for their project/s. Learning to develop an Audience Design strategy at the earlier stages of the filmmaking process to have a greater understanding of how to engage that audience with the correct messaging for grassroots marketing across the various social platforms, find and build communities and look at alternative and educational opportunities.
The Business of Film session covers the financing and recoupment structures in independent filmmaking as well as exploring how financiers evaluate your project and what elements they care about. We will cover how finance is raised, your finance plan vs your cash budget, and how money is recouped from sales. We will be going through PowerPoint slides and excel sheets, but don’t be scared, this will be the most fun you’ve had in excel with your clothes on!
Patrick Fischer is a media entrepreneur and film fincanicer, known for building and scaling businesses in the film industry. He has produced or executively produced over 50 films and series and spends his time and energy running and growing Creative Capital. Patrick holds an MBA from Bayes Business School and a BA in Film Production from the University of Westminster. His notable credits include the BAFTA-winning "Under The Shadow" and the acclaimed feature documentary "McQueen" about the late fashion icon.
The winner of Script Pool will receive an exclusive opportunity to attend The Write Retreat in Mallorca, a paradise for writers seeking inspiration and productivity. This retreat offers a serene environment, structured support, and the perfect rhythm to help you meet deadlines or navigate the challenges of refining your draft. This prestigious award is proudly presented by Law Firm TGS Baltic. Don't miss your chance to elevate your script and join a community of creatives in an unforgettable setting!