Cinema Lloyd's Platform Campaign Announcement Biography Pictures Lloyd's Books Links

Campaign Announcement

 

Dear IFTA member:

 

            After speaking and meeting with a number of you, I have decided to run for Chairperson of IFTA. Having been a longtime member of AFMA/IFTA, I believe it is time for me to rise to the occasion and serve. My nearly 35 years as a filmmaker and President of Troma Entertainment, as well as my experience on your Board, will significantly benefit my tenure as your chairperson.

 

            Today, Independent Entertainment finds itself facing substantial and often discouraging difficulties, which threaten our very livelihood. IFTA needs a proficient strategist who can improve our current, unacceptable economic environment. I, who have spent most of my life as an "independent's independent," writing, directing, producing and selling independent movies, believe that I can lead us to fair play and prosperity. The fact that I learned French, know a fair amount of Chinese, lived for a year in Africa, and spent a lot of time in Europe and Asia reveals my awareness and concern for the world of international entertainment. Based in New York City, I believe that I can serve the interest of ALL our members from Hong Kong to Hollywood in an equitable, energetic and enlightened manner. I know that I can work well with your CEO Jean Prewitt, your Executive Vice President Jonathan Wolf, and your Vice President Laurence Safir, all of whom I admire and who I believe do a superlative job for the IFTA. I also hope to use our current very able Chairperson, Michael Ryan, as my "Dutch Uncle." Your present Board with whom I currently have the honor of serving are courageous, dedicated, visionary, and very open minded. I am certain that they will guide me brilliantly.

 

In addition to the nuts and bolts of IFTA, the main matters on which I will concentrate are:

1. Improving the number and quality of buyers who attend the American Film Market.

In addition to attracting more buyers from the usual territories, there are buyers, who Jean Prewitt informs me, never attend any film markets. These buyers are located for example, in emerging economies such as the Eastern European countries. We need to find them, and have them attend the AFM. We need to "dig out" every possible buyer of every ancillary right, no matter how small.

2. The New Technologies.

About four years ago, I founded our New Technology Opportunities Committee. Internet, Video On Demand, Telephony, etc. may be possible solutions to some of our sales challenges. There is a whole new expanding universe of new media "content" buyers for us to explore.

3. Leveling the playing field for us by fighting Industry Consolidation in the U.S. and Europe.

Having traveled to Washington D.C. several times to work with IFTA's lobbyist, I have become a leader in IFTA's attempt to inform and influence U.S. law and policy makers regarding, among other things, the fact that U.S. TV markets are nearly closed to us independents, and that when we do make television sales, we are often being bullied into also giving up Internet rights. Furthermore, we need to preempt a possible take-over of cyberspace by "Big Internet." So another main focus of mine will be the fight for "net neutrality". I am sure similar problems occur in Asia. I will rely on our Asian members to suggest a course of action if there is one.

 

            These are some broad brushstrokes about my plans for IFTA. I will be more detailed in a campaign letter, which I will send to you later this summer.

 

            Meanwhile, please contact me with any questions or suggestions that you may have. My email is Lloydk@troma.com and my direct telephone line is 1-800-Troma-14 x11.

 

Thank you for considering me as your next Chairperson.