6.01.2005 ET

(CSRwire) Filmmakers Collaborative, an association of independent filmmakers and video producers, with the support of Spartacus Media Enterprises, a network connecting socially driven filmmakers, corporations and their supporters are hosting the Boston Filmmakers Expo on June 9th at the Curry Student Center at Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue in Boston from 12:00 noon - 10:00 p.m.

The objective of the event is to provide information and networking opportunities for independent filmmakers. Corporations have begun supporting independent filmmakers' efforts when the theme of the film aligns with their corporate community relations efforts.

Sumner Redstone, the CEO of Viacom, was recently interviewed by American Way magazine (May 15, 2005) postulating that with the advent of Tivo, it will become necessary for corporations to create their own movies and entertainment techniques in order to get their marketing message across and to rise above the clutter.

More corporate socially responsible themes in film will have the added benefit of building a corporations reputation as a good corporate citizen.

This year, the Collaborative is kicking off the first Boston Filmmakers Expo, an afternoon-evening event geared toward all levels of filmmakers. At the Expo, media professionals can attend panels and seminars, screen recent films and works-in-progress, network with each other, see the latest technology at vendors' booths and consult with experts on trailers, legal issues, and insurance quandaries.

"The Expo is an outgrowth of Filmmakers Open Studios, which we ran for 5 years, and a new event we began last year called Filmmakers Information Night" said Bonnie Waltch, Executive Director of Filmmakers Collaborative in Waltham, Massachusetts. "This year we're combining the two events to offer an afternoon and evening of learning for all types of filmmakers - all under one roof. We are anticipating over 250 filmmakers, many socially oriented documentary makers to attend the event", says Waltch.

Featured speakers and panelists from around the country include Geralyn Dreyfous, Executive Producer of Academy-Award Winning Documentary, Born into Brothels; Paula Silver, Marketing Specialist for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the highest grossing romantic comedy ever made; Judith Helfand, Producer of Blue Vinyl and Co-Founder of Working Films; Fernanda Rossi, "Doc Doctor" columnist for the AIVF Independent; and Debra Zimmerman, Executive Director of Women Make Movies.

The jam-packed day includes unique learning opportunities for both documentary and feature filmmakers in the areas of "Technology," "The Business of Filmmaking," and "Marketing and Distribution." Included in these seminars are a pitch session where documentary filmmakers can pitch their film ideas and get feedback from a panel of experts; a discussion of marketing case studies with Paula Silver, former Marketing Director for Columbia Pictures; a high-definition video round-table for producers; and a panel on successful proposal writing from both producers' and funders' points of view.

In addition to the panels and seminars, the Expo will offer an "open studios" room where local companies, film support organizations, and filmmakers will showcase their work. Visitors can see film clips by members of the Center for Independent Documentary, Women in Film & Video, and Filmmakers Collaborative; watch highlights from the Balagan Experimental Film Series; and learn about what the Center for Digital Imaging Arts has to offer.

In the ballroom where vendors, educational facilities, and filmmaking support organizations will set up tables, Expo participants can look through the latest high-definition cameras displayed by Canon and JVC; learn about different fiscal sponsors for independent media projects; compare the post services of Finish Edit and National Boston; and browse through the catalogues for the Boston Film School and Maine Film & Television Workshops.

As a break from all this learning, the Expo will loosen up and offer a cocktail/networking party from 5:00-6:00 where, for an extra $12 and for twenty-one+ adults, participants can relax, nibble on finger food, have a drink, and converse with other attendees, presenters and special guests. Following the party, Expo keynote speaker, Geralyn Dreyfous will talk about her experience making the Academy-Award winning documentary, Born into Brothels, and show a clip from her current project.

"There's a real need for an event like this in Boston, especially with the demise of the Boston Film/Video Foundation, which used to offer classes, workshops, and rough cut screenings. There are a lot of people in this town who are interested in filmmaking that is mission driven and there's no central place for them to go," says Carol Atwood, CEO of Spartacus Media Enterprises and advisory board member of Filmmakers Collaborative. "The Expo provides a wonderful opportunity for filmmakers to come together, learn to hone their craft, and network."

The Expo couldn't come at a better time. Two budding organizations, the Massachusetts Production Coalition and the Alliance for Independent Motion Media, are working to boost the local industry by improving the infrastructure for filmmaking and supporting production in the state - this movement makes the Expo, a breeding ground for ideas and collaborations, even more timely.

"Our goal is that by the end of the day participants will have learned about a new technology or product, gained new knowledge about distributing their film, or met potential collaborators for their next project," says Waltch. "We plan for the day to be a shot in the arm for filmmaking in Boston!"

Admission is $30 until June 6th, $35 at the door; admission for the cocktail party from 5:00-6:00 p.m. is $12 at the door for participants twenty-one and older.

Visit www.filmmakerscollab.org for pre-registration and a full schedule of events, directions, and parking information.

Filmmakers Collaborative, an association of independent video- and filmmakers supports independent filmmaking in Massachusetts by sponsoring a range of film and video projects, offering educational programs and a collaborative environment for experienced and emerging filmmakers, and educating the public about films and the filmmaking process. The Collaborative's award winning outreach program, Film Talks, brings acclaimed filmmakers and their films to underserved audiences throughout the state. Films supported by the Collaborative increase public understanding of social, historical, cultural, political, and environmental issues and include "At Home in Utopia," about the history of a cooperative housing complex started by radicals in the Bronx; "China in the Red," a Frontline special about the challenges and dilemmas faced by the Chinese brought on by vast economic changes; and "Tupperware," a social history of the successful plastic empire and the Tupperware women behind it.

Filmmakers Collaborative helped foster community-building in the film and video industry in Greater Boston for the last 5 years by holding the annual Filmmakers Open Studios (from 2000-2004). During this weekend-long event, production facilities, studios, and independent filmmakers opened their doors to the public and industry professionals to show their work, demonstrate their technologies, and offer information and insight into Boston's motion media community.