Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), will be the keynote speaker at the inaugural International Showbiz Expo (ISBE) in Abu Dhabi this year.
The expo, a collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF), will take place at ADNEC between October 21 and 23. A trade show exhibition and a conference will simultaneously take place at the event. The exhibition will be free of charge for pre-registrants or $35 (Dh150) onsite, while the conference is $300 (Dh1,080). Registration can be done through isbexpo.com. ADFF will run the following week, between October 23 and November 1.
Isaacs will speak about the key components of the Oscar Academy, how it serves its members, as well as the evolution of the Academy and challenges it faces today.
Other industry experts speaking at the conference include Jamal Al Sharif, chairman of Dubai Film and TV Commission, and Pakistani actor-director, Shaan Shahid. Topics of discussion will include regional cinema growth, potential for co-production with other countries as well as trends in distribution.
Hollywood film producer Edward R. Pressman, known for films such as American Psycho and The Crow, will give a workshop for young filmmakers. He will be honoured by ISBE with a lifetime achievement award at the ADFF opening night ceremony on October 23.
