Cannes man

San Fernando Valley Business Journal, June 9, 2008 by Mark R. Madler

Noticeably fewer people attended the Cannes Film Festival in May, the result of the weakening dollar overseas, reports back film producer Emilio Ferrari.

The decreased attendance might also reflect the fewer number of distributors looking to buy independent films.

"The consolidation is so dramatic," said Ferrari.

Formerly independent movie companies were bought out by larger companies--MGM going to Sony; Artisan Entertainment and Trimark Pictures bought out by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.

Last month, Warner Bros. shut down its specialty independent arms Warner Independent and Picturehouse. The future of distributor ThinkFilm remains shaky.

Major festivals in Cannes and Toronto and Sundance turn into a buyers market because as the number of distributors drop the number of films increase, spurred on by private backing.

Ferrari brought to Cannes a 20-minute segment of the comedy "Baby on Board" and came away with deals to get the film into 20 foreign countries. Talks continue for U.S. distribution.

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He makes films under the A Plus Productions banner and distributes them through Entertainment 7. Ferrari has offices in Sherman Oaks, Hollywood, Chicago and London.

While he works with major studios on some distribution his preference is to make and release them through his companies.

That way Ferrari controls the money and is better able to protect the investment made by his backers. It also gives him more credibility when he pre-sells to overseas markets than he would get if he were just a producer.

"There are a million producers in Hollywood. It doesn't mean anything," Ferrari said. "What it comes down to is, do you have the credibility and do you have the know-how?"

Next up for A Plus Productions is "Waco," based on the events surrounding the 1993 botched federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas.

The film comes with a $30 million budget and starts shooting in the fall although no actors have been cast. Co-writer Rupert Wainwright ("Stigmata") is set to direct, and co-producer Mike McNulty was nominated for an Academy Award for a documentary on the Waco incident.

Staff Reporter Mark Madler can be reached at (818) 316-3126 or by e-mail at mmadler@sfvbj.com.