Morgan Salter’s love of film has put her in contact with many producers, and now she finds herself in a position to help them.
Salter is the newly-minted manager of FIN Partners — a program under the FIN Atlantic International Film Festival that brings delegates and financiers together with producers in a networking effort — and she can’t wait for the September festival.
“I've been in this position since the end of January, the whole organization rebranded to FIN and we’ve just finished the rebranding for this. It’s been a really good learning process and it’s going to be a great year,” she said.
“We have a spotlight this year on the U.K., Ireland and U.S. this year, which means increased producers coming from those areas that will bring something really special.”
Salter said the spotlights are done every two years.
“It allows us to show new places, feature new projects and pay attention to places that are great with the prospect of co-productions with Canada.”
Salter grew up in Kingsburg, N.S. and went to high school in Bridgewater. She then went to NSCAD to study film. She immediately began working in the film industry when she graduated.
“I was on the production side of things. I’ve been deeply immersed in the film industry for a while and it’s been a big interest and passion,” she said.
“Having worked in production companies and in producer support, I’ve become interested in the plight of the producer and the push for financing.”
Salter began working at the festival a few years back and was the youth initiatives co-ordinator for FIN Kids last year. She was immersed in the festival and when this job came up, she was in the right place at the right time.
Her work in supporting producers and helping them has prepared her for this position.
“I’ve seen fundraising and development, putting things together, seen getting a film done and post-production. I’ve also seen the struggles and how to make things easier.
“We have resource delegates who come to potentially invest and then producers who come to FIN Partners. Through working in production, I appreciate how valuable making connections can be and this can make things happen,” said Salter.
She added that the local industry and Atlantic Canada is worthwhile, and to bring people, producers and delegates from all over the world to arrange meetings is great
“Face-to-face is worth so much more than a phone call and we are happy to try to provide that.”
FIN Partners starts Sept. 13, with a linear discussion Sept. 15 and 16, where there will be a panel discussions as well.
For more information, visit www.finfestival.ca/fin-partners.
