The Connecticut Film and TV Alliance will be hosting the CT Film & TV Conference 24 on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Goodwin University in East Hartford. The conference is “an educational, live, in person networking event for people in the film, media, and entertainment industry,” according to a press release from the alliance.
The conference will feature four educational panels, 16 VIP interviews and will have nearly 50 featured guests, including screenwriters, musicians and producers. The conference will also include talent showcases, such as live music and actor monologues, project pitches, visual demos and many other booths and networking areas.
According to Alessandro Andriulli, the producer of the conference, a variety of topics will be covered in the four educational panels. The “Film and TV Unions Panel” will talk about pathways into the unions and the benefit they provide to workers. The “Movers and Shakers Panel” will discuss new productions happening now and into the future and job opportunities in CT. The “Production Team Panel,” hosted by Shadow Vale Productions, will talk about past, present and future projects for the team. The “Education in Film, TV, & Digital Media Panel” will cover current educational programs in film and television, which will include multiple University of Connecticut staff members as panelists.
“What makes this event special is the sense of community you get after attending. The scariest thing about trying to get into the film and television industry is the belief that you are alone on that journey,” Andriulli said in an email. “The Connecticut Film & Television Alliance is an organization that is more of a community of support for those interested in or already a part of the film and television industry.”
Andriulli talked about what people will learn and get from attending this conference.
“You will learn about all of the active initiatives the alliance is involved with to make it easier for you to find jobs, resources for your projects, and a community to support you on your journey,” Andriulli said. “You will also meet film and TV union leaders and hear about ways into those unions. There will be conversations with industry professionals, live music, actors performing monologues, VIP interviews with leaders of our industry, project pitches, trailers, and a ton of networking opportunities.”
Neal Thomassen, the executive director of the conference, also added that “this conference is more than an event—it’s a thriving hub for Connecticut’s film and TV industry. Here, filmmakers find their crew, talent, and the essential resources they need to bring their visions to life, from concept to distribution.”
Andriulli talked about how he first got involved with the event and what he would recommend to people interested in film or TV.
“My best recommendation is to attend,” Andriulli said. “You will not regret it. I started as a photographer for this event almost 20 years ago and now I am one of the event producers. I believe in what we are achieving. When I attended for the first time, I was blown away by how approachable all of the important event guest speakers were. I really felt welcomed and that this was the place I belonged.”
The CT Film & TV Conference was originally called the Film Industry Mixer and began annually in 2006, but ended in 2013. Over the past year, Thomassen and Andriulli worked together to bring back the conference in association with the CT Film & TV Alliance.
The CT Film & TV Alliance is a non-profit organization that aims “to support existing film festivals and events in Connecticut,” according to Andriulli.
For more information about the CT Film & TV Alliance and the CT Film & TV Conference 24, visit the alliance’s website or the conference’s website.