Future 15s: The Crowd

New to the Film Conference this year, Future 15s are short, intense salvos with each speaker delivering a 15-minute solo performance before being immediately replaced by the following speaker. Come hear, John Trigonis of Indiegogo, Elisabeth Holm of Kickstarter, and Nicolas Gonda of Tugg give their thoughts on the potential of the crowd.

"The Art of the Hustle/Hustling for Art: Kickstarter + Indie Filmmaking" by Elisabeth Holm
From 2010-2013 over 90 Kickstarter-funded films have played SXSW, raising funds and engaging communities throughout their creative process. From GIMME THE LOOT and 12 O'CLOCK BOYS to "Slomo" and GIRL WALK // ALL DAY, Kickstarter-funded films of all stripes are the toast of Austin and beyond, and they're made by some of the 12,000+ successfully-funded filmmakers who've seen over $188M pledged to their films. These creators are true hustlers — growing communities, raising the profile of their projects, gaining new resources, contacts, and insights into their audiences, all while funding and making their art. To date 50,000+ Kickstarter creators have connected with over 5M backers pledging not only for rewards but to be part of projects they love. Can't knock the hustle. Time to get yours on.

"Crowdfund a Simple Idea to the Silver Screen" by John Trigonis
Take a look at crowdfunding with John T. Trigonis, Indiegogo’s Campaign Specialist for Film & Video, and Author of 'Crowdfunding for Filmmakers: The Way to a Successful Film Campaign,' and learn how it is a very smart option for up-and-coming filmmakers and not just A-list movie stars. Trigonis will discuss how he helps hundreds of industry professionals use Indiegogo to open doors and create the movies they want to make with less hassles afforded them by the more traditional modes of film financing. With new campaigns launched on the platform daily, Trigonis will use the latest, hottest film and video campaigns on the platform as examples on how future filmmakers can successfully crowdfund their upcoming projects.

"Why We Should Crowd Source" by Nicolas Gonda
Crowdsourcing is the most powerful new tool for building communities and engaging fans. As co-founder of the audience-driven theatrical distribution platform, Tugg, Nicolas Gonda will explore how crowdsourcing is democratizing the entertainment business, by empowering artists, influencers, and audiences to collaborate and achieve together what would otherwise have been impossible. By looking at examples of crowdsourcing today – from funding consumer products like Pebble to bringing together a city for Batkid – we’ll assess the future of crowdsourcing and its increasing presence in our lives.

Presenters

Elisabeth Holm

Film Program Dir

Kickstarter

Elisabeth is an independent producer and Film Program Director at Kickstarter where she oversees filmmaker education, outreach, events, research, curation, and editorial. She produced Gillian Robespierre’s debut feature comedy OBVIOUS CHILD starring Jenny Slate (Sundance 2014), Keith Miller's Slamdance and FIPRESCI Jury Prize-winning WELCOME TO PINE HILL (Oscilloscope 2013), and was the Associate Producer of Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky's Oscar-nominated PARADISE LOST 3 (HBO 2011). She is a TFI Tribeca All Access and IFP Lab alum and was recently profiled in The L Magazine’s 2013 “30 Under 30.” Elisabeth is currently developing writer/director Desiree Akhavan’s new animated series “Origin of Shame” (WT) and adapting writer/director Michael Perlman’s critically acclaimed off-Broadway play “White Plains” into a feature film. She lives and works in Brooklyn and cannot cook to save her life.

John Trigonis

Film & Video Mgr

Indiegogo

A behind-the-scenes consulting machine, John T. Trigonis has mentored hundreds of filmmakers worldwide, helping them to create compelling crowdfunding experiences that not only reach, but exceed their goals.

A writer and indie filmmaker himself, Trigonis literally wrote the book on CROWDFUNDING FOR FILMMAKERS after running his own Indiegogo campaign for his short film CERISE, in which he surpassed his goal and set the bar at an all-new high with regard to how online fundraising for independent films should be done. CERISE has since screened at over a dozen film festivals across the country, was nominated for four awards, won an “Award of Merit,” and participated in the 2011 Cannes International Film Festival.

Trigons now puts his prowess to the ultimate task as Indiegogo’s specialist for film and video campaigns, working extensively with high profile filmmakers and content creators to help them achieve maximum success while he continues to churn out his own creative projects.

Nicolas Gonda

Co-Founder & CEO

Tugg Inc

Nicolas Gonda co-founded Tugg, Inc. (www.tugg.com), a web-platform that enables people to choose the films that play in their local theaters and promote their own events. Launched at the 2012 South by Southwest Festival, Tugg empowers audiences nationwide to screen films from its extensive library of studio and independent titles. Tugg has partnered with mainstream and independent exhibitors, boasting a theatrical footprint of over 75% of movie theaters in the United States. As a producer, Mr. Gonda has worked with Terrence Malick on THE TREE OF LIFE and TO THE WONDER. He has several projects in various stages of production, including producing AJ Edwards directorial debut THE BETTER ANGELS starring Diane Kruger, Jason Clarke and Brit Marling. He is continuing his work with Mr. Malick, producing his two upcoming films, KNIGHT OF CUPS and the currently untitled feature based in the Austin music scene whose combined casts include Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender and Rooney Mara. Mr. Gonda was recently named one of Indiewire’s inaugural “Influencers” and Variety’s “10 Producers to Watch” for his work in the independent film industry. He also serves on the Board of the Austin Film Society.