Filmmaker Mark Shields went to the Cannes Film Market armed with a script and looking for financing. And found success.

In this case study, Mark discusses how he prepared for the Cannes Film Market, the essential role of his marketing packet in securing meetings in Cannes, how meetings went, the importance of having a PLAN for the market (and what a difference it made for him this year!), the results he achieved in financing his film, his surprise with gap financing and more.

For any filmmaker who has ever wondered how to successfully exploit financing opportunities at the international film markets and what it takes, this case study is essential.

About Mark Shields | Mark's Website: LVJ

Mark has worked for over ten years in the film and media industry in a wide range of disciplines, most notably as a producer and a composer. He's been part of a number of successful independent films including producing and composing on the multi-award winning 35mm short Dutch Bird, starring David Kelly. Most recently he was credited alongside Morgan Freeman for special thanks on the international award winning feature Strength and Honour starring Michael Madsen. As a composer Mark has scored projects as varied as concert hall works, commercials and documentaries through to short and feature length films working with such companies as MGM, Virgin and HMV. His work was most recently recognized with a Webby Honoree for the critically acclaimed Second World War interactive movie, Meyer's Hill. Mark is also a director of UK based production company Atlantic Picture Company with co-producer Kirk Weddell. Alongside finishing post production on LVJ he is currently producing the mid budget British horror feature film, Storage, for Atlantic and director Matt Winn and a second feature is currently in development. Mark now divides his time between homes in New York and London.

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About Stacey Parks
Stacey Parks is an expert in the area of independent film distribution, with over 13 years experience working with independent film producers. As a Foreign Sales Agent she has secured distribution for hundreds of independent features and programs worldwide. She has sold independent films and programming to HBO, Showtime, Starz, PBS, A&E, BBC, SkyTV, NHK (Japan), RTL (Germany), Canal Plus (France), and countless others.

Her clients films have premiered at Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, SXSW, San Sebastian, and other major film festivals. Her clients include Sundance and SXSW award-winning filmmakers and producers who have secured studio and mini-major distribution.

Stacey is the author of 'The Insider's Guide to Independent Film Distribution" (2007 Focal Press), the founder of Film Specific, the educational resource and community for independent filmmakers focused on helping independent filmmakers get their works distributed, and she is an adjunct professor in the Entertainment Studies department of UCLA.

Stacey has been profiled and interviewed in MovieMaker Magazine, Student Filmmakers Magazine, The Christian Science Monitor and the Los Angeles Business Journal. She has spoken on numerous panels including the Alliance of Women Directors, Slamdance and the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, has presented lectures or workshops at the British Film Institute, UCLA, Women In Film, and the Raindance Film Festival, and frequently writes articles for MovieMaker Magazine, MovieScope Magazine, and Student Filmmakers Magazine.