The 17th annual Strategic Partners co-production/co-financing market united renowned producers, financiers, broadcasters, distributors, aggregators and agency representatives all under one roof with exciting, measurable results. On the heels of one-on-one meetings, innovative keynote addresses and panels – several themes resonated with the esteemed delegates. With 2014 - 2015 ushering in a two-year spotlight on Ibero-America and the U.S.A, a strong drive to develop and nurture long-lasting relationships was greatly emphasized. The very latest in content financing, complex co-productions case studies, the rise of digital distribution and trends in the evolution of ‘digital first’ series, among many other hot topics, were intricately examined and discussed at the event, which took place September 11 - 14 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
![]() Strategic Partners is proud to be supported by important Canadian partners such as Telefilm Canada, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Film & Creative Industries Nova Scotia, Canada Media Fund, and Canadian Media Production Association, among others. During this year’s Strategic Partners, it was announced that two talented Canadian producers have been selected to participate in the inaugural project exchange program with Brazil’s RioContentMarket and Mexico’s Los Cabos International Film Festival. Quebec producer Jeremy Spry of Muse Entertainment Enterprises has been chosen by the Brazilian TV Producers Association to attend RioContentMarket in Brazil in February 2015 with his TV Series Time Snail. Ontario producer Byron A. Martin of Byron A. Martin Productions has been selected to attend the Los Cabos International Film Festival in November 2014 with his feature film Wolverine Hotel. The Canadian Media Production Association sponsors this co-production initiative. “Strategic Partners 2014 was such a thrilling meeting of the minds. The buzz in the room for the entire three days was truly palpable,” said Director of Strategic Partners, Laura Mackenzie. “It was particularly exciting to witness the relationships that evolved over the course of the event, the deals discussed and soon to be published, and to announce the wonderful news that Jeremy Spry and Byron Martin have been selected for our inaugural project exchange program. They both embody the world class talent we have here in Canada and the projects they have in development are impressive and perfectly suited for co-production.” Strategic Partners is often the catalyst for many production success stories. In 2013, producers Tom Spriggs and William Borthwick of the Los Angeles and London-based Face Films brought a feature project at that time referred to as The Untitled Yellowstone Project to Strategic Partners, where they met Fred Fuchs and eventually Tyler Levine. As a result of these meetings, a collaboration was solidified and the team went into production six months later. The project is currently in postproduction under the name Population Zero. “It’s pretty obvious I am a fan of Strategic Partners because bluntly... it works! I wasn't sure what to expect first time around but it far exceeded my expectations,” said Spriggs. “Being able to combine a social aspect with focused one on one meetings works very well. Then to add on panels and group discussions that are filled with people that are basically experts in their perspective fields in entertainment, makes Strategic Partners really stand out.” Producer Neil Tabatznik of Canada’s Blue Ice Group had a productive and measurably successful experience at Strategic Partners in both 2013 and 2014, and he’s thrilled with the results. “The event is warm, friendly and intimate, but real business is conducted within its framework,” said Tabatznik. “Our company has contracted 16 million dollars of business over our participation in this event over the past two years.” Each year, top Canadian and international industry players, including producers, investors, sales agents, funding agencies, broadcasters, and distributors are selected to attend Strategic Partners. Offering over 1,000 pre-scheduled 1-2-1 meetings, co-production focused roundtable sessions, cutting edge panels, visionary keynote speakers, and screenings and receptions – Strategic Partners is a convergence of talent and innovation, producing tangible results. For program updates and information on all things co-production, you can now follow Strategic Partners on social media: Twitter: @SPcopromarket Facebook: www.facebook.com/atlanticfilmfestivalstrategicpartners Youtube: www.youtube.com/atlanticfilmdotcom About Strategic Partners: An International Film, Television and Digital Co-Production Market The Atlantic Film Festival’s Strategic Partners is one of the world’s preeminent co-production/co-financing markets focusing on feature film, TV and web based fiction. Strategic Partners offers an intimate, organized forum for projects looking for financing as well as those still at an early stage, looking for the right partner. Over the past 17 years, Strategic Partners has established itself not only as a one of a kind co-production market, but also as a cutting edge, intimate environment that delivers solutions to existing and foreseeable industry challenges. The intelligence and program offered at Strategic Partners is developed over many months of research into current global issues. However, this information is only a complement to Strategic Partners’ primary function – to build, establish and nurture relationships between producers and their partners.
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Strategic Partners is a part of the Atlantic Film Festival family of programs. Today’s Atlantic Film Festival is now a year-round celebration, growing beyond our eight-day cornerstone event in September to include: ViewFinders: Atlantic Film Festival for Youth, the AFF Outdoor Film Experience, and Strategic Partners. Receive the most up-to-date information about Strategic Partners and the Atlantic Film Festival, including sneak peeks and festival highlights. On our website: atlanticfilm.com,atlanticfilm.com/sp Facebook pages: /atlanticfilmfestival,/atlanticfilmfestivalstrategicpartners Twitter accounts: @thefilmfest ,@SPcopromarket, #AFF2014 Pinterest profile: pinterest.com/atlanticfilm LinkedIn company page: linkedin.com/company/atlantic-film-festival Youtube channel: youtube.com/atlanticfilmdotcom | 
