by Prity Patel
AFI FEST Daily News

Now entering its sixth year, Kodak CONNECT offers filmmakers the opportunity to meet with executives from HollywoodÕs top production, distribution, finance and development communities, in addition to meeting with representatives from major talent agencies and management firms.

This year, at AFI FEST 2006 presented by Audi, filmmakers have access to more than 100 representatives from the film community through a series of one-on one meetings, breakfasts, lunches, and other educational and networking opportunities.

Jeff Stanzler, AFI FEST 2005 filmmaker, participated in Kodak CONNECT last year. He was impressed with executives he was able to meet.

"The Kodak CONNECT program is great," echoed Shawn Simon of Anonymous Content. "I did it last year, am doing it again this year, and will continue to participate."

Kodak CONNECT is unique in that it gives new as well as established filmmakers the opportunity to come in under the same umbrella with executives that might otherwise be unreachable.

"Kodak CONNECT is the only place IÕve had the opportunity to have these types of meetings," said Pricilla Elliott, current and past participant filmmaker in Kodak CONNECT. "I havenÕt had that chance anywhere else." A producer Elliott met at Kodak CONNECT optioned her short film.

This program is particularly beneficial to filmmakers residing outside the Los Angeles area.

"Coming to LA for the first time was very daunting but AFI made us feel at home," said Avie Luthra, whose film LUCKY had its world premiere at AFI FEST 2005 and was the winner of the short film jury prize.

"The Kodak CONNECT program opened doors and gave us great exposure. WeÕve been to Berlin, Edinburgh, London and loads of other festivals but AFI FEST was the best experience and the most inspirational."