The Edinburgh International Film Festival is ramping up its industry events this year, with a record number planned June 20-27. The festival runs June 18-29.
The industry initiatives are helped by the festival's new three-year, $4m backing from the UK Film Council.
Panels will discuss how to survive as an independent producer, the producer/writer relatoinship (with Jeremy Brock and Duncan Kenworthy), how to make the most of a film festival, digital rights, piracy, VOD, micro-budget production, contemporary film criticism, casting and representation (featuring US and UK agents David Flynn of UTA, David Schiff of The Schiff Company and Frank Wuliger from The Gersh Agency.)
Screen International editor Michael Gubbins will give a keynote about The Future Of British Screen, about how the UK industry can use technological change to its advantage.
Cine-Region and Film Export UK with Screen South and Skillset are hosting the Cine-Euro Co-Production Training Programme for eight UK producers to be in Edinburgh June 22-24. The initiative is a nine-month programme.
Also, Meet The European Funders will introduce potential backers from Sweden, Belgium, France and Germany - complementing the Meet The UK Funders session with the regional screen agencies, Channel 4 and the BBC.
Film4, the UKFC and Lifesize Pictures are also setting up a new Lab for EIFF. Six emerging directors will participate in a five-day, hands-on mentoring programme. Some of the Lab sessions, including a Masterclass with writer/script consultant Mogens Rukov, will be open to all EIFF delegates.
There will also be a new talent focus with a special weekend pass.
EIFF managing director Ginnie Atkinson said: 'We're very keen for the industry to get the most out of their experience of the EIFF and we've put together a spectacular range of events this year; definitely something for everyone covering current issues for the industry and offering information up to training level on key areas of interest such as financing, digital rights and starting out in the business.'
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