Because its settled in the heart of Silicon Valley, a big draw for filmmakers to attend Cinequest is that major technology players (I can see the Adobe building outside my hotel window, for example) are easily accessible and hold the answers to how films will be showcased in the future, and most importantly, how filmmakers can make money off it.

Today's panel titled "The Marriage of Television & The Internet" brought to the surface some of those answers.

Moderated by Cinequest president Kathleen J. Powell with panelists Thomas Morgan (chief strategy officer, Move Networks) and Lance Koenders (TA to SVP, Digital Home Group at Intel), the main subject was how Internet television is the next step in helping filmmakers build an audience.

One example is Widget Channel, a venture Intel and Yahoo! have teamed up to develop. Koenders showcased the widget (pictured above) to the audience, highlighting how the popular functions of the Internet can now be attached on your TV. MySpace, Facebook, or any site you visit often will be lined up at the bottom of the screen, available at any time while watching TV. You can also interact with others to discuss what you're watching.

Morgan then highlighted Move Networks, which provides the video streaming software behind the players for ABC, The CW, and FOX's TV shows online in HD quality. "Buffering is a thing of the past," said Morgan during the panel, as shows in high quality are now instantly available to users.

So what does this all mean for independent filmmakers?

Well, for one, with the current economy the Internet is one of the very few mediums that is finding growth. With most people staying home, or "cocooned" as Koenders put it, the notion of putting your work online is a smart one. But like most things on the Internet, how you can make a profit from doing this is still the $100 million question.

Morgan and Koenders admit that the most realistic platforms on the Web are still iTunes, Netflix, Hulu, and the like, but in the next 2-5 years more companies similar to these will emerge. The trick, is to find a way to attract either a sponsor for your film or ads, which Morgan points out aren't the ads that we fast forward using our DVRs and TiVos. "That's what's killing traditional TV," he said. "But the Net are coming up with more engaging ways to put in the ads." Like the brief 15 second ads before Hulu TV shows and films or just ads placed on the same screen as the program you're watching.

One filmmaker during the Q&A pointed out his success on the Web. Christopher Cannucciari, who has is debut feature premiering at Cinequest, New Brooklyn, talked how his Web series, Great Depression Cooking With Clara, is making him a good chunk of change, and attention. "After putting ads by Google on the page I started making money overnight," he said. The Web series, which highlights his Sicilian grandmother making meals from the Depression era while telling colorful stories, has been highlighted on numerous food blogs and Cannucciari was recently booked on Good Morning America.

I met Cannucciari last night, and he told me Rachel Ray wants him on her show and he's pitching the series to The Food Network.

Who knows, in a few years you may have it as a Widget Channel.

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 2/28/2009 06:25:00 PM Comments (1)

It was one of the largest crowds the festival has ever seen for its opening film, Wake, which is World Premiering at Cinequest.

Directed by Ellie Kanner, the film is a romantic dramedy starring Bijou Phillips as, Carys, a grief stricken twentysomething who spends most of her time at a funeral home with best friend, undertaker Shane (Danny Masterson), and attending funerals of strangers. She connects with a grieving fiance (Ian Somerhalder) at one funeral, but there seems to be more behind this guy than meets the eye.

Known for taking extremely dark and risque roles, Phillips shows she has comedic chops and does well in her first meaty lead.

Shown at the beautiful California Theatre in downtown San Jose, the line to get in stretched down half a block when I showed up about ten minutes before the film began, filling to capacity the 1,119-seat movie palace and turning away many. (Egyptian Theatre this is not.)



The evening ended with drinks and hors d'oeuvres at Billy Berk's and Mezcal down the street. And with the price to see the film and go to the after party only $40(!), a lot of people decided to stay out late on a Wednesday night and enjoy what the festival is touting as its "Transform" year.



If you're in the area, come by and check out the Audience & Art panel I'll be on this Friday.

Cinequest ends March 8th. Learn more at cinequest.org

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 2/26/2009 11:32:00 AM Comments (0)

The Hamptons International Film Festival announced this week that the 2009 edition, the 17th annual, will be held one week earlier than in recent years, with the event moving to the Columbus Day Weekend slot - Thursday, October 8, thru Monday, October 12, 2009.

From the release:

"The shift in dates was made in consultation with many of the festival's sponsors, underwriters and guests, and is expected to maximize attendance and benefit not only the Festival, but also the local shops, restaurants and hotels."

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 2/25/2009 10:59:00 AM Comments (0)

For Sundance this year we asked Peter And Vandy writer-director Jay DiPietro to take along Nokia's N95 multimedia device to shoot pictures of his experience of screening his relationship dramedy starring Jess Weixler and Jason Ritter in competition at the fest.

We thank Jay and the cast and crew of Peter And Vandy for taking part in this. Here's his photo diary.

# posted by Jason Guerrasio @ 2/02/2009 01:01:00 PM Comments (0)