First Annual IFP/Power to the Pixel Cross-Media Forum Launches in New York, 2011
Pitch Sessions, Keynotes and Case Studies Highlight First-Annual Event

New York, NY (January 18, 2011) – IFP announced today the launch of their new partnership with Power to the Pixel, the pioneering UK-based cross-media organization. The alliance will kick-off with the launch of the first joint annual IFP/Power to the Pixel Cross-Media Forum in New York City on April 19th, 2011, with the cross-media projects presented at the Forum also being included this fall in IFP’s Independent Film Week.

“Power to the Pixel has created an amazing reputation for itself in Europe as the most cutting-edge organization of its kind in the world, one that truly understands both the challenges and opportunities of the digital age,” says Joana Vicente, Executive Director IFP. “As IFP continues its mission to discover and champion independent filmmakers and storytellers the world over, we are thrilled to align ourselves with Power to the Pixel to ensure that talented artists here in the U.S. are able to take full advantage of the new tools, platforms, services and devices out there that enable them to tell stories and reach audience.”

Power to the Pixel is a four-year old London-based organization headed by CEO & Founder Liz Rosenthal and COO & Producer Tishna Molla that equips film makers and media companies with the creative and business skills that are essential to succeed in an ever-evolving digital world. In addition to its centerpiece event, the Cross-Media Forum held every October in association with the BFI London Film Festival, the company runs The Pixel Lab, an intensive four month course for European producers and media professionals designed to help build sustainable businesses through the development of cross-media properties.

“We’re honored to be collaborating with IFP on this exciting new venture and thrilled about the prospect of building stronger relationships between Power to the Pixel’s network of cross-media experts and US talent. IFP is the perfect partner for us in the U.S,” says PttP founder Liz Rosenthal. “Cross-media projects will not only be presented at this first ever forum in April, but will also be invited to attend IFP’s signature event, Independent Film Week, the oldest and largest forum in the U.S. for the discovery of projects in development and new voices on the independent scene. For our projects, it is qualitatively and quantitatively the biggest and best opportunity in the nation for filmmakers to find funders, partners and producers.”

The IFP/Power to the Pixel Cross-Media Forum will consist of a conference, cross-media project presentations, as well as numerous networking opportunities allowing content creators and funders to directly connect.

• The Conference will focus on introducing U.S. audiences to leading thinkers, practitioners and innovators who develop new business and creative opportunities for film, media and new technologies. A mixture of keynotes and case studies will give in-depth insight to the myriad of opportunities available to them to develop, create and fund cross-media projects.

• Project presentations will give producers and storytellers with cross-media projects – those that span a combination of film, TV, online, mobile, gaming and live events – the opportunity to pitch to esteemed industry leaders who can potentially help develop, finance or support their work– and take their projects to the next level.

• With a variety of networking events open exclusively to audience members, speakers, and project producers, the Forum offers the perfect opportunity for everyone attending to meet the innovators and icons working in the cross-media landscape.

“Power to the Pixel’s cross-media projects are a natural fit for IFP and its future-forward programmatic mission. We look forward to redoubling our efforts to educate artists in new ways of storytelling and ensure that we support content-creators in all formats,” says Amy Dotson, Deputy Director & Head of Programming for IFP. “Working hand-in-hand with Power to the Pixel, this is truly a future full of possibilities for us all.”

The full schedule of the IFP/Power to the Pixel Cross-Media Forum will be announced in March 2011, with tickets made available March 19th.

About IFP

Founded as a satellite program of the 1979 New York Film Festival, the non-profit IFP has evolved into the nation’s oldest and largest organization of independent filmmakers, and also the premier advocate for them. Since its start, IFP has supported the production of 7,000 films and provided resources to more than 20,000 filmmakers–voices that otherwise might not have been heard. IFP believes that independent films enrich the universal language of cinema, seeding the global culture with new ideas, kindling awareness, and fostering activism.

IFP represents a network of 10,000 filmmakers in New York City and around the world. Each year, the organization fosters the development of 300 feature and documentary films. Through its workshops, seminars, conferences, mentorships and signature publication, FILMMAKER Magazine, IFP schools its members in the art, technology and business of independent filmmaking. The year-round programs include Independent Film Week, The Gotham Independent Film Awards, Independent Filmmaker Labs, as well as a range of programs to promote racial, ethnic, religious, ideological, gender and sexual diversity. IFP, often in collaboration with partners and other cultural organizations, also builds audiences by hosting premieres and special screenings.

For more information: www.ifp.org

About Power to the Pixel

Power to the Pixel supports the film and media industries in their transition to a digital age. The company’s London team, headed by Liz Rosenthal & Tishna Molla, has a wealth of experience and expertise across film and cross-media, and is linked to a unique network of the leading thinkers, practitioners and innovators who are developing new business and creative opportunities around the world.

Specializing in new ways for content creators and businesses to create and finance stories and engage with audiences across multiple platforms, Power to the Pixel’s core activities are:

• Providing consultancy to international media organizations, content creators and companies
• Designing innovative in-house company training programs and bespoke initiatives
• Producing international forums, events and labs centered around cross-media IP and business
• Facilitating the exchange of ideas and the building of international partnerships between media professionals and between industries

This understanding of the challenges and opportunities of digital change means Power to the Pixel is an essential bridge between the visionary, the pioneering and the practical.

The company’s clients and partners include: ARTE; BAFTA; BBH; Berlin Film Festival; BFI; Cannes Film Festival (Marché du Film); EAVE; Edinburgh Film Festival; Nordisk Film & TV Fond; UK Film Council
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