Advisor Studio: Kevin Iwashina (WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR) on the Business of Filmmaking Post-COVID
About this Advisor Studio
In Advisor Studio sessions, Sundance Collab Advisors share field experiences and insights into their specific areas of craft, including writing, directing and producing for TV and film.
The business of filmmaking is still settling into a new normal while the demand for content continues to grow. In this special conversation with Endeavor Content agent and producer, Kevin Iwashina (JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI, LONG SHOT, FRANK & LOLA), we explore how to navigate the independent film market in a post-COVID world. We discuss how to approach funding, prepare a compelling pitch presentation and strategies to attract the attention of agents and financiers. Kevin also shares advice on the opportunities available to filmmakers in the sales and distribution spaces, along with best practices for setting yourself up for success in selling your next film.
Advisor StudioTeam
Kevin Iwashina
Advisor
Kevin Iwashina is Head of Endeavor Content Documentary, a global leader in the production, distribution, financing and sales of premium film, television, and audio content. In his role, Iwashina identifies financing opportunities, handles sales and provides advisory services for media companies, global corporations and content creators in the premium non-scripted space.
A division of Endeavor, a global entertainment, sports and content company, Endeavor Content finances, packages and sells over 100 feature films and television series a year. In premium non-scripted, recent film and television projects include: CHEF’S TABLE, WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR, THE ELEPHANT QUEEN, THE APOLLO, KILLER INSIDE: THE MIND OF AARON HERNANDEZ, WE ARE FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME and HAMILTON, among others.
Iwashina joined Endeavor Content in 2017. Prior to that, he served as Founder & CEO at Preferred Content, a film, television and digital sales, production and advisory company. During his tenure, he oversaw the representation of fiction and non-fiction content creators to secure financing and distribution of feature films and episodic series concepts. Iwashina was the lead producer of the 2011 hit documentary JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI, the precursor to CHEF’S TABLE.
Prior to launching PC, Iwashina was a senior agent in CAA’s Independent & International Film Group, after initially beginning his career in the mailroom at UTA. He holds a B.A. in English literature with a specialization in French language and culture from U.C.L.A. and is active in the non-profit sector. In addition, he served as the Chairman of the Board of the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) and as the President of the Board of Directors of the International Documentary Association (IDA).