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Philip Alberstat is CEO of 44 Media Group a company that produces and finances film, television and branded
content. Prior to 44 Media Group, Philip was an agent with the William Morris Agency and a key member of the
agency's independent film division, William Morris Independent. He was involved in the packaging, financing
and selling of more than seventy five films. Some of the many films he was involved with included, "Thank You
For Smoking" (directed by Jason Reitman, Juno), Oscar Nominee, "Away From Her", "Factory Girl", "Bobby" and
numerous others. In this capacity as an agent, Philip also handled all of the day to day business affairs of the
division and worked closely with the agency's corporate division and many of the agency's writers, directors
and actors.
From 1991 to 2004, Philip was a lawyer based in London, England and held various legal positions. He was a
partner with City firm Osborne Clarke and prior to this, was Head of Media at Baker McKenzie's London office.
During this time, he established himself as a leading expert in the areas of film finance and media law. He
was involved in many multi-jurisdiction film and television co-productions and co-financings. In addition to
complex film and television financing transactions, he was involved in the growth and sale of several publicly
quoted media companies and film and television libraries. He facilitated and brokered the sale of Handmade
Films and their library, and advised on the sale of the Mr Men and Little Miss library to Chorion PLC. He helped
launch several television networks, including Channel Health and the fully branded Audi Channel for Audi
Europe. He has also advised numerous, governments both on the national, regional and local levels in relation
to film and audiovisual incentive programs.
While working as a lawyer, Philip was very active as a writer of numerous books and legal articles. His books
include, "The Insiders Guide to Film Finance" (pub. 2004 Elsevier),"Law And The Media"(pub. Focal Press
2005) and "The Independent Producers Guide to Film and TV Contracts"(pub. Focal Press 1999). Philip
speaks frequently on film and film finance related panels and seminars. He is on the board of Entertainment
Law Review and the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAS) He was a recipient of the UK's Lawyer/Hifal
Award as Solicitor of the Year and is listed in both the Legal 500 and Chambers as an expert in film finance
and media law.
In addition to his legal writing he has produced several television and theatrical feature films. He won an Emmy
in 2004 for the film, "The Incredible Mrs Ritchie", for Showtime. He was previously nominated in 1993 for an
Emmy for the film, "The Song Spinner", (Showtime). Philip holds a Bachelor of Science (Biology) and a
Bachelor of Arts (History) from Dalhousie University in Canada and a Law degree (LLB) from University College
London and The London School of Economics.
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Jeff Sanders is a partner at Roberts & Ritholz in New York. His practice is focused on serving clients in the
media, technology and communications industries. Mr. Sanders acts as counsel to investors, private equity
funds, operating entities and financial institutions serving the motion picture, television, telecommunications
and interactive industries with respect to corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity,
intellectual property and general commercial matters.
Prior to joining Roberts & Ritholz, Mr. Sanders was a partner at a diversified national firm, where he headed its
media and entertainment practice. Prior to that, Mr. Sanders was the vice president of business affairs and
senior counsel for the media and entertainment division of Winstar Communications, where he was
responsible for the company's venture capital and media company operations. While at Winstar, Mr. Sanders
negotiated the company's acquisitions of BMG's film division, Wellspring Media, Individual.com, numerous
television stations and other motion picture, television and internet companies. He played key roles in
structuring Winstar's joint ventures with Microsoft, CBS and others. Mr. Sanders also had supervisory
responsibility for the business and legal affairs staff at Winstar's film, radio and internet operating divisions.
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David Steinberg is a partner at Heenan Blaikie in Toronto, specializing in the areas of entertainment, media
and intellectual property. David primarily practices in the film, television, music, and book publishing
industries. He acts for film and television producers and distributors, broadcasters, Internet service providers,
publishers, creators and manufacturers of home entertainment products and merchandise.
David advises his clients in both Canada and the United States on matters related to film and television
financing, production and distribution, the licensing of intellectual property for integrated media products and
the sale and acquisition of rights. David is a dynamic advisor who consistently applies a pragmatic approach to
his practice. As a result, he has developed strong, long-lasting relationships with his clients. David is highly
service-oriented and committed to assisting his clients in achieving their goals. He combines superior legal
skills, industry experience and an adaptable approach to communicating and negotiating in all types of
business transactions.
David joined Heenan Blaikie in 1993 after working at another major law firm in Toronto. Prior to becoming a
business lawyer, David was a professional musician and recording artist, who toured extensively throughout
the United States and Canada as a drummer in various rock bands. David is a frequent speaker and lecturer
on various media and entertainment law related topics in both Canada and the United States. He is peer-rated
as "repeatedly recommended" in the annual Canadian Legal Lexpert® survey.
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Faculty to be announced
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