The Film Finance & Distribution Podcast

Award-winning Cindy Mich Shares Film Festival Advice, Judging Films, and TV Transition.

We’re honoured to have a truly remarkable guest with us today—Cindy Mich! Cindy is an award-winning journalist and media personality who has made waves as both a filmmaker and the founder of the NYC-based independent film festival, Art is Alive, now celebrating its seventh successful year. Beyond her festival work, Cindy is a prolific writer, contributing to three digital publications while also owning and operating her own magazine, Elegant Expressions. With a combined reach of 300,000 across print and radio, Cindy is a powerhouse in the media world. She's regularly called upon to cover major film premieres, festivals, events, and product launches, bringing her unique perspective to everything she does. But that’s not all—Cindy’s made-for-TV series on medical misdiagnosis is set to premiere next month, and her public access TV talk show, Cin's Chat Corner, has just debuted, already reaching more than two million subscribers across seven states. Today we delve into her journey, discussing the significance of film festivals, what she looks for when judging films, and her transition from film to television.  Inst: https://www.instagram.com/officialcindymich/Cin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-mich-6328552b/ Art is Alive Film Festival: https://artisaliveff.wixsite.com/artisaliveff

Filmmaker Derry Shillitto on Funding, Directing, and Securing Distribution

Welcome to today's episode! We have Derry Shillitto on the show, the writer and director behind the feature film "The Correction Unit." This psychologically thrilling and cinematic movie explores the question: What happens to the most vulnerable in society when the most powerful embrace AI? With intense and exciting characters, "The Correction Unit" promises to be both entertaining and thought-provoking. Stay tuned as Derry shares his journey through writing, funding, directing, and securing distribution for his new film. Foyle River Films Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/866033460 [https://vimeo.com/866033460] The Correction Unit Homepage: https://thecorrectionunit.com/the-correction-unit [https://thecorrectionunit.com/the-correction-unit] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foyle_river_films/ [https://www.instagram.com/foyle_river_films/]

Top Entertainment Lawyer Silvia Schmidt Simplifies Film Contracts

Silvia Schmidt is an experienced entertainment lawyer who will take us through the essential contracts you need for filmmaking and what to watch out for. Silvia studied Law and French at Trinity College Dublin and Sciences Po Paris, graduating with First Class Honours. She then pursued Legal and Political Theory at University College London, earning numerous awards and scholarships along the way. After training in finance law at Clifford Chance, Silvia followed her passion for film, joining Sheridans and specialising in media and entertainment law. She later worked as an in-house film finance lawyer at Ingenious Media, the UK's largest private film financing company at the time. Since 2019, Silvia has been a freelance lawyer and consultant, helping clients from all corners of the entertainment industry. Join us as Silvia shares her expertise to help you navigate the complex world of film contracts.  Silvia Schmidt Homepage: https://silviaschmidt.org/

Paul Scanlan Discusses Opening the Gates to Hollywood with his Company Legion M

Paul Scanlan is an Emmy Award-winning co-founder and CEO of Legion M the world's first fan-owned entertainment company, a pioneering endeavour that puts fans at the centre of everything they do. Legion M is dedicated to discovering and producing original and groundbreaking films and television content. Under Scanlan's leadership, the company is transforming the way content gets made, involving fans in the creative process and delivering unique, high-quality entertainment experiences. Scanlan and his team at Legion M are not just changing the industry—they are redefining it. Legion M: https://legionm.com/ Insta: @LegionMOfficial William Shatner Documentary: https://join.legionm.com/william-shatner-documentary/ [https://join.legionm.com/william-shatner-documentary/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/legionmofficial [https://www.youtube.com/legionmofficial] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/legionmofficial/ [https://www.facebook.com/legionmofficial/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/legionmofficial/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/legionmofficial/posts/?feedView=all] X: @LegionMOfficial

Michael Guerrini on Monetising Short Films, Organising Cinema Screenings and Budgeting.

In this episode as we explore the journey of Michael Guerrini, the Founder of YOTKO Productions and YOTKO Apparel. Michael, a passionate filmmaker is on a mission to turn Perth into a new Hollywood. Despite being relatively new to the industry, his ambition and creativity know no bounds. Michael specializes in directing, cinematography, editing, and colour grading. His first short film, "Full Circle," is a black-and-white neo-noir action drama about an assassin realizing something is wrong too late. Tune in as Michael chats with me about monetizing short films and organising a cinema screening. He also shares his advice on budgeting and production for short filmmakers.   Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Yotko [https://linktr.ee/Yotko] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yotkoproductions [https://www.facebook.com/yotkoproductions] Twitter: https://x.com/yotko97 [https://x.com/yotko97] Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/yotko/ [https://www.pinterest.co.uk/yotko/] Apparel: https://mguerrini.wixsite.com/yotko-apparel [https://mguerrini.wixsite.com/yotko-apparel]