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WF APPROVES NEW PROJECTS
The Washington Filmworks (WF) Board of Directors recently approved funding assistance for one commercial, which shot in Seattle this August. Since 2007, WF has approved 93 projects through the standard program, representing an estimated $243 million in economic impact statewide.
The commercial is the first to be approved through WF’s Commercial Business Development Plan (CBDP). The CBDP will help attract new commercial business to Washington State and encourage advertising agencies nationwide to work with our local productioncompanies. Learn more about this exciting new initiative by visiting our website.
WF will begin accepting applications for feature films and episodic series prior to the start of the 2014 funding cycle, which begins in January. Please contact staff at (206) 264-0667 with inquiries or go to www.WashingtonFilmworks.org for more information.
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LUCKY THEM CHARMS AT TIFF 2013
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| Lucky Them celebrated its World Premiere at TIFF 2013. |
The Washington incentive feature film Lucky Them charmed audiences during its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6. The film won over festival attendees and critics alike. Lucky Them is directed by Megan Griffiths and stars Toni Colette, Thomas Haden Church, and Oliver Platt. The feature shot in Seattle and surrounding areas in 2013.
Hear from some of the film’s stars and Seattle’s own Megan Griffiths in this red carpet interview from the evening of the TIFF premiere. Lucky Them will be available in the US in 2014. Congratulations to all the Washington cast and crew that made this feature happen!
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ROCKETMEN TAKE TO THE SKY!
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| A Department of Municipal Rocketry WPA poster |
Look to the sky! If you spot jet-packed persons of interest around the Emerald City, you’re not seeing things. Innovation Lab funding assistance recipients Rocketmen the Webseries will begin filming several episodes from season one of the series this week. Production will take place all over the Seattle area. “Like” their Facebook page to see photos from set and follow their progress.
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WHERE’S WASHINGTON FILMWORKS?
Want to connect with WF in the community? We’ve been busy participating on panels and touring the state to promote economic development through motion picture production. Learn more about where we’ve been and how you can connect with us in the next month.
COMING SOON! – Upcoming Engagements
Seattle Film Summit, 9/28 – The summit returns to the Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) on September 28th. Amy Lillard and Krys Karns of WF are two of the featured panelists. Be a part of the conversation; discover and develop innovative methods of storytelling, funding, and distribution. Significant discounts for members of the NWFF and other area film organizations, and for Local Sightings Series Passholders. Register today.
TechNW: North to Innovation 2013, 10/9 – This event provides critical insights into the future of ever-evolving tech sectors, many that originated and continue to thrive in Washington. Amy Lillard of WF will participate on a panel on October 9th entitled Games to Transmedia: The Evolution of Interactive Entertainment in Washington. Admission is $50 for members of the Washington Technology Industry Association and $75 for non-members. Use the promo code WAFILM to receive 25% off. Register online.
Seattle Interactive Documentary Summit,10/24-10/25 – This summit looks at the convergence of documentary storytelling, technology and advocacy. Over two days, delegates network and gain insight on production, distribution, funding, and legal issues. Amy Lillard of WF is a featured panelist. The early bird price of $175 has been extended for friends of Washington Filmworks until September 27. Seating is limited and day passes and virtual tickets are available. For 20% off all tickets, use the promo code FILMWORKS.
JUST RETURNED! – News on Where We’ve Been
TechFest NW – Amy Lillard of WF was in Portland for TechFestNW, an event for those who are passionate about the new storytelling opportunities created at the intersection of creativity and technology. This annual event took place September 6-8 and featured a number of panels and presentations on topics ranging from community to crowdfunding to interactivity.
WF Tour of Eastern Washington – Amy Lillard and Krys Karns of WF recently completed a whirlwind tour of areas of Eastern Washington. The visit included stops in Ellensburg, Moses Lake, the Tri-Cities area, and Yakima. Lillard and Karns use these visits to scout film friendly locations, and to meet with elected officials and area filmmakers to promote the economic impact of film in our state.
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BIG NEWS FROM WF
Commercialize Seattle – WF in partnership with the Seattle Office of Film + Music, is pleased to have launched Commercialize Seattle, a new business development campaign designed to drive local film production and advertising business. Be sure to register your local Production Company.
Supporting Viewers Like You – KCTS 9 is a public broadcasting station based in Seattle and a member of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Their new initiatives and programs demonstrate that KCTS is actively cultivating their commitment to the Washington filmmaking community.
Clearwater – It’s Been An Adventure –Innovation Lab funding assistance recipient People of the Salish Sea is the first documentary-based project to go through any of WF’s programs. Learn more about the feature documentary at the center of this interactive project – Clearwater.
Last Reel – Digital projection has overtaken film as the primary means of exhibiting a motion picture in a theater. It can be difficult for smaller theaters to afford the conversion to digital projectors, but several local Washington theaters have found success with the help of their audience.
Vimeo’s $10,000 Advance – Vimeo has teamed up with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to offer all of the 2013 world premieres at the festival a cash advance in return for an exclusive digital distribution window on Vimeo’s Internet video site.
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JOIN US FOR FMI HAPPY HOUR SEPTEMBER 25
Our September Happy Hour guest speaker will be Douglas Horn. As a feature film producer, director and respected blogger in the film industry, Douglas Horn will share new trends in film distribution, including VOD, day-and-date releases, and demand-based theatrical and non-theatrical exhibition. He’s also got the inside track on emerging opportunities in film finance such as crowd-investing and staged financing. Hear him discuss why the economics of independent film have been a crazy bet for the past five years, and why he thinks that these exciting changes now open a new chapter for independent producers with the right projects. Make sure to join us next week on Wednesday, September 25 at the Spitfire for our September Film + Music + Interactive Happy Hour Event. This FMI Happy Hour presentation begins around 6:30 pm.