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Sedona International Film Festival Workshops are coming to ZGI next week. Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 1 - 4:30 PM. FREE!! Come join the fun!

The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to offer a series of FREE workshops on a variety of timely and important topics. These are open to EVERYONE, free of charge ... from the beginning filmmaker to the seasoned professional, to the film lover who wants a glimpse behind the scenes.

Wednesday, Feb. 23 • 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
At Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking

You’ve made a movie. Congratulations. But now what?

Four of Hollywood’s most experienced professionals will let independent filmmakers in on the secrets of how to publicize, market and sell their movies: From production through the sales maze, theatrical and other windows, all the way to the awards circuit. All are long-time members of the Motion Picture Academy and each brings a distinctive perspective.

Murray Weissman, founder of Weissman/Markovitz Communications is an icon in the entertainment PR field, recently honored with a Career Achievement Award by the respected entertainment blog, GoldDerby.com. Immediately after leaving Sedona he will again be honored before 1,000 of his peers at the annual Publicists Luncheon held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Rick Markovitz is Murray’s partner and has worked in executive level positions with global advertising agencies BBDO and JWT, major entertainment companies Warner Bros and Rastar, as well as leading technology-based firms for more than 25 years. He is an expert on the online world and new media.

Leonard Morpurgo, vice president of WMC, has held executive positions at Columbia Pictures, Universal Studios and CBS and has worked in many parts of the world. He has been the unit publicist on numerous films and recently wrote a best-selling memoir about his years in the business.

Jon Sheinberg currently co-runs the production company THE BUBBLE FACTORY that he formed with his father, Sid Sheinberg (founder and former President of Universal Pictures). He operates his own movie production & consulting firm, THE MOVIE MACHINE, a full-service literary management organization and motion picture production company, delivering a full array of development, producing, sales, marketing services for writers and artists.

Wednesday, Feb. 23
3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
At Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking

Investigating Cross-Cultural Dialogue: New Initiatives by Chinese Young Female Directors

Meet the head professor of the Beijing Film Academy in China, professor Huang Shixian and enjoy a cross-cultural dialogue about the new current situation and some significant changes in Chinese film industrial, particularly in the young female directors.

Professor Huang brings to Sedona a beautiful new Chinese film Close to the Sun, which has garnered international awards and acclaim and was written and directed by one of the Beijing Film Academy’s female directors (and a student of the professor’s), ChouChou, who will also be in Sedona to represent her film.

Thursday, Feb. 24
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
At Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking

It Starts with a Story Workshop
Whether its a Hollywood blockbuster, a documentary, or a short film, it all begins
with the story. From concept to pitch, to finished script, our panel will discuss what
goes into gettng your story green lit. Studio or independent, what is best for your screenplay?

Thursday, Feb. 24
3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
At Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking

What does a Producer do?
You can have a great script, but without a producer the film will never get made. A panel
of film and television producers talk about the many roles a producer plays to get a film made.
Script, Talent, Director, and budget are all assembled by the producer. Personal successes and pitfalls in the industry will surely lead to an enlightening conversation.

Friday, Feb. 25
1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
At Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking

Lenses and Light Cinematography
How does a directors vision come to life? Cinematographers from independent to Hollywood,
discuss traditional film and contemporary High Definition techniques used to visually
tell a story. Talk about technical and artistic choices which determine emotional and intellectual quality of the scene.

Friday, Feb. 25
3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
At Zaki Gordon Institute for Independent Filmmaking

Our Sustainable Future
Join John Neville (Sustainable Arizona) & Matthew Bonnstetter (SolarWorks) for a lively and informative roundtable discussion with several passionate Arizona sustainable advocates. Audience participation will be invited and encouraged.

This discussion will focus on where we are now, what we are doing and what we can or should do to become more sustainable for a better quality of life for everyone on our wonderful planet.

John Neville, president and founding board member, has been involved creatively in sustainable development and communications for more than 30 years. He has helped organizations with sustainability systems, business communications and management practices, leadership development, and diversity enhancement.

Currently, John is USGBC LEED-AP and provides sustainable systems consulting and communications services to municipalities and businesses and is a frequent guest speaker. He serves on the board of the Coconino County Sustainable Economic Development Initiative, chairs the Sustainability in Education team, works on the energy efficiency & renewables, the sustainable community indicators and the policy and communications teams. He is an emeritus board member of the Arizona Solar Energy Association and the Sedona Community Foundation.

Matthew Bonnstetter is currently a partner with SolarWorks, assisting customers to switch to clean renewable solar energy. Having spent many years in international business specializing the human development and the self-improvement area, he had an epiphany. The world of business and the natural world were out of sync, so he turned his energies to learning all he could about sustainability and natural systems. He spent ten years traveling to green expos, conferences, and related events. During his travels, he realized the power of film to help educate people on the serious issues facing humankind as we struggle to endure on our amazing planet.