net Big name filmm Same set for trade THE Vancouver International Film Festival is a chance for the public to catch the best of world cinema. Iz also provides an oppor- tunity for industry profession- als to brush up on their prac- tical skills and artend lectures by the big players in the field. The VIFF Trade Forum runs from Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at Robson Square Conference Centre. Running an indepen- dent production company, tackling difficult subjects, finding the right music, and landing a distribution deal arc - all topics packed imo four days of workshops. Highlights of this year’s torum include wo workshops on digital technology. Michact Monello, co-producer of The Blair Witch Project, is one of four filmmakers on a panel enttied The Revolution in Filmmaking, which shows how the trend towards using digital formats can cut production costs and aliow filmmakers greater flexibility. Hot new director Jeremy Podeswa (The Five Senses) joins a panel called Second Time Around, which casiores the issue of funding for a second feature, where big budgets might just mean less artistic control. Showrunners — The Juggling Act fea- tures Renaissance men Chris Haddock (Da Vinci’s Inquest), and Rene Balcer (Law and Order). Both are not only the executive pro- ducers of their respective shows, but the main writers. Haddock also directs many episodes of Da Vinci. : * The Al! Together Now panel assembles ~ writers Peter and Bobby Farrelly ( There's FIREHALL 1 CENTRE proces WHICH one to choose? A Girl is a Girl director Reg Harkema is also a guest at the VIFF Trade Forum. Something About Mary) and Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty) to talk about the process of writing for a large ensemble cast. And New Filmmaker’s Day, which closes the forum on Oct. 2, gives aspiring creatives a crash course in producing films, with an analy- sis of independent features, a close-up look at making short films, and the pros and cons of using digital technology. Robert Lantos, founder of Alliance Atlantis Communications and now head of Serendipity Point Films, will deliver the opening specch over lunch on Sept. 29. Other high-flying guests include Christine Shipton, Senior VP of Creative Affairs at Alliance Atlantis, MGM Animation Executive Producer Jonathan Dern, A Girl is a Girl director Reg Harkema, and The Sweet Hereafter composer Mychael Danna. For tickets and further information, con- tact the VIFF office at 685-0260. — Katharine Hamer 1b MeColl’s, he!