Kodak CONNECT: Where Art and Commerce Come Together

For filmmakers, it is an opportunity for some otherwise elusive face time to discuss current and proposed projects with representatives from some of the film industry's top production, distribution, finance and development companies. For industry professionals, it's a chance to meet and establish relationships with artists and keep their fingers on the pulse of the creative movement.

In other words, the Kodak CONNECT program facilitates one of those alltoo- rare, but always welcome, win-win situations for both the "show" and the "business" side of the film industry.

Director Osbert Parker, whose film YOURS TRULY is screening as part of this year's Animation Shorts Program, appreciates the Kodak CONNECT meetings because it gives him a chance to find out what people are looking to buy and/or what they're willing to invest.

"It's a great opportunity to bounce ideas that are maybe not-so-commercial off of commercial people and hear why it will or won't work for them," Parker said. "It's not really about trying to find ways to conform ideas to them; it's about trying to work out what works for the audience. It's a good chance to get their take because, as a director, I usually see the audience completely differently."

As chief operating officer responsible for acquisitions, domestic distribution and day-to-day operations at Regent Entertainment, Jeffrey Schenck has overseen production of a wide variety of television and film projects, including Gods and Monsters, and Brittanic. He credits programs like Kodak CONNECT for helping him to maintain that balance between the show and the business sides of the industry.

"I don't know if the feeling is mutual, but I always enjoy coming to these because you really get to talk to filmmakers -- and that could be producers, directors, writers -- on a one-on-one level that gets beyond the commerciality of the movie, but more about what they want to do in the industry," Schenck said. "It really reinvigorates for me the raw interest in independent filmmaking, rather than the business, which day-to-day I am all consumed by."