Walking the Line: The Fine Art of Self Promoting Your Film
by Website Update on November 14, 2011 in Marketing
How do you get the word out about your work and grow a loyal following without coming off as a spammer? Filmmakers, publicists and distributors discuss how best to convert your contacts into an audience.
Sherri Candler, Sheri Candler Marketing and Publicity
As a person with her finger on the pulse of social media and independent film, Sheri brings a unique perspective in this rapidly changing industry where the artist entrepreneur has so much to look forward to. She enjoys being a part of the changes and helping filmmakers see their opportunities.
Ava Duvernay, Founder, African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement
Ava DuVernay is the writer/director of the critically-acclaimed drama, I WILL FOLLOW, as well as several noted music documentaries. She is founder of the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM), a distribution collective dedicated to black independent cinema. Her firm, The DuVernay Agency, has provided strategy and execution for more than 120 film/TV campaigns for acclaimed directors such as Spielberg, Eastwood, Mann, Condon, Peck and Chadha.
Adam Kersh, Partner, Brigade Marketing
Adam Kersh, formerly a publicist for Lionsgate and 42 West Public Relations, has devised campaigns for award-winning films such as Armando Iannucci’s IN THE LOOP, Lynn Shelton’s HUMPDAY and Sarah Polley’s AWAY FROM HER. Kersh also previously worked for Warner Bros. and the Writers Guild Foundation in Los Angeles. This veteran publicist heads up the traditional publicity division of Brigade Marketing, which includes films, filmmakers, festivals and talent representation.
Dolly Turner, President, The Turner Group
Dolly is President of The Turner Group, a branded entertainment, digital and social media marketing agency. Clients include film festivals, filmmakers, brands media companies and web series creators. She formerly worked with Disperse Interactive, USA Network, American Black Film Festival, truth Campaign, and LaFace Records. Dolly is a member of NY Women in Film & TV, IFP Advisory Board, and The Blackhouse Foundation and ImageNation boards.
Ryan Werner, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Publicity, IFC Films/Sundance Selects/IFC Midnight.
Ryan Werner is Senior Vice President of Marketing & Publicity at IFC Films/Sundance Selects/IFC Midnight. Among the films he’s worked on are Herzog’s CAVE OF FORGOTTEN DREAMS, Wenders’ PINA, IN THE LOOP, Soderbergh’s CHE, Van Sant’s PARANOID PARK, BUCK, JOAN RIVERS A PIECE OF WORK, GOMORRAH, SUMMER HOURS, CARLOS, TINY FURNITURE and ANTICHRIST.