WHAT: Diversity comes to the forefront when the NAACP Hollywood Bureau presents its 5th annual symposium, The ABCs of Television and Film Financing: Raising the Capital. The symposium will be produced in conjunction with the Television Academy's diversity committee—marking the third consecutive year it has co-sponsored the event with the NAACP—and the Academy’s production executives peer group. Ford Motor Co. and the trade journal Television Week are also providing support.

WHO: Panelists: Brenda Doby-Flewellyn, President, FilmBankers International; Schuyler M. Moore, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP; Bernard Kinsey, Philanthropist.
Moderator: Vic Bulluck, Executive Director of the NAACP Hollywood Bureau and Executive Producer of the 40th NAACP Image Awards

WHEN: Monday, February 9, 2009
6:30 p.m. VIP Reception
7:30 p.m. Panel

WHERE: Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre
5220 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood

BACKGROUND: The ABCs of Television and Film Financing: Raising the Capital will offer a panel discussion and audience Q & A with entertainment executives, producers, financial experts and venture capitalists who will present a comprehensive overview of the current state of television and film financing. Topics to be explored include identifying, accessing and securing capital from traditional and alternative sources, such as equity and debt investments, “soft money” contributions from state and foreign tax incentives (shelters, credits and subsidies), grant-funding agencies and private investors. Additionally, the discussion will address many new challenges faced by those seeking financing given current economic realities.

Prior to the panel the NAACP/Ford Motor Company will award a $10,000 grant to Peace4Kids, an organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for foster children and at-risk youth in South Los Angeles. Peace4Kids offers creative programs, life skills education and one-on-one mentorships to create a consistent, stable groundwork for youth to grow beyond their current circumstances.

Panelist Bios :

Brenda Doby-Flewellyn, President, FilmBankers International.
Brenda, a principal and founder of FILMBANKERS International, is one of the premier finance professionals in the entertainment industry. She has worked closely with the film and television production industries and is highly regarded by producers, directors, leading entertainment industry executives, managers and agents for her capabilities in the areas of film financing. Brenda has financed more than 100 films ranging from independent ventures to blockbusters, among them such hits as “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” “Jeepers Creepers” and many others. She has also been responsible for financing studio negative pick-up transactions with all of the major Hollywood studios.

Schuyler M. Moore, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP.
Schuyler M. Moore is a partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, a law firm that provides integrated legal experience in transactions and financings, corporate counseling, regulatory and tax issues. Schulyer is the attorney engaged to represent the company in all production slate financing transactions including offerings and major studio deals. He has an extensive entertainment, tax and corporate background, with more than 25 years experience representing major studios, major independent producers and financiers. He currently represents Reliance Big Entertainment in the financing of DreamWorks as well as its recently closed development deals with the production companies of Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, Nicholas Cage and George Clooney.

Bernard Kinsey, Philanthropist
Bernard Kinsey is a Los Angeles philanthropist with a passion for African American history and art of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He was a founding board member of the William H. Johnson Foundation for the Arts which was established in 2001. The purpose of the foundation is to encourage minority artists early in their careers, by offering them financial grants. Kinsey is also president of KBK Enterprises, a management-consulting firm. He is a recognized expert and leader in the field of urban revitalization and economic development and has counseled the governments of South Africa, Germany, England, Israel and France.

Contact: NAACP Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Jennifer Price/Alex Lippin Robin Mesger/Lauren Kelcher
The Lippin Group
323.965.1990

Source: Yayoi Winfry