Born from a multicultural background herself, Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine embraces the rich diversity of cultures worldwide and leverages her passion for cross-cultural understanding to drive successful international cooperations

Seasoned expert 

  • Project feasibility analyses | Development & Finance strategies | Deals negotiation | Multicultural settings
  • Expert for national, European & international institutions

20 years of extensive hands-on experience

  • Management of  large-scale international co-productions from the initial stages to final delivery & distribution    

14 years of professional teaching 

French & English

Lectures | Program design  | Corporate training 

Webinars & Keynotes | Masterclasses

  • Production value chain
  • Sector and market analysis
  • Professional positioning 
  • Int'l co-development implementation
  • Principles of dramaturgy applied to production
  • Creative positioning in dramaturgical analysis
  • Contextual Layering
  • Alignment on a creative vision 
  • Co-production roadmap
  • Legal framework 
  • Compliance & transparancy 
  • Ethics and professional conduct in business relationships
  • Equitable co-productions
  • Financing structure 
  • Market-oriented presentations and pitches
  • Key negotiation terms & M.O.U
  • Analysis of comprehensive contracts 
  • Film financing waterfall

Biography

Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine began her career at the renowned Théâtre du Soleil, under the mentorship of Ariane Mnouchkine, where she immersed herself in the vibrant world of a multicultural company. This unique ensemble brought together nationalities from all five continents, blending the rich influences of the Orient and Asia with the timeless works of Greek tragedies, Shakespeare and Molière.

She then worked in various capacities including Production Manager, Head of Development, Line Producer, Business Affairs and Producer. She worked at Elefilm and Boa Films, and in the US/UK at Unifrance NY and TWC, among others. She managed the documentary department of ADR Production, overseeing more than 50 films and series from international filmmakers, including Fernando Solanas, Peter Friedman, Elisa Mantin, Maciej Drygas, Jean-Christophe Klotz, and Michka Saal.

Subsequently, she headed the international department at Arsam International and managed business affairs at KinoElektron. She worked on large-scale and noteworthy international co-productions, including I, ANNA by Barnaby Southcombe, FINAL PORTRAIT by Stanley Tucci, and IN THE DUSK by Sharunas Bartas, spanning independent to large-budget productions.

Her professional trajectory has been enriched by significant collaborations with established French Producers originally from Lebanon, Egypt, Croatia, and Poland. These experiences deeply influenced her outlook, fostering a refined sensitivity and a profound appreciation for diverse perspectives and narratives

As Associate Producer, she contributed to CUNNINGHAM 3D by Alla Kovgan (TIFF 2019) and THE PANGUNA SYNDROME by Olivier Pollet and Alexandre Berman (nominated for the Albert Londres Prize).

Since 2007, she has been producing alongside Jihan El Tahri within Big Sister, a production company of documentary films and series. The company was one of the first in France and Europe to spotlight the perspectives of filmmakers from the African continent and the SWANA region, amplifying their narratives. It also pioneered equitable co-production - focusing on fair and balanced partnerships with co-producing countries and taking into account their unique realities, constraints, and challenges. Together they have produced notable works for cinema and international broadcaster (ARTE, C+, BBC, ITVS, SBS, VPRO, NHK, YLE, etc) such as NASSER by Jihan El Tahri (TIFF 2016) and MARINER OF THE MOUNTAINS by Karim Aïnouz (Official Selection, Cannes 2021).

In 2020, she co-founded Scale & Scope, a film consulting agency offering tailored guidance to industry professionals and overseeing international co-productions.

She also serves as an independent international production consultant and legal adviser for markets, institutions and production companies.

Additionally, she teaches production and film financing at Paris film School ESRA, at the Gustave Eiffel International University and master's programs at several private schools (IESA, ISCOM, etc). She regularly engages in selection committees for funding bodies and serves as an expert for European institutions and industry programs.

Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine holds a Master's degree in Audiovisual Law, Business, and Management-D2A from Paris Panthéon-Sorbonne and a University Diploma in International Law from Lumière Lyon 2. Her academic journey began with a graduation in Theatre & Films Studies at Paris Sorbonne Nouvelle, followed by specialized studies at the Media Business School in Spain and at French CEEA in script editing.

She is a member of EAVE, MEDIA Club and MEDIA Club'Elle.

She is currently setting up The Media Club International along with Media Club CEO Jérôme Chouraqui and Creative Producer Patience Priso.

International Made Easy

As a fervent advocate for cultural awareness, her dedication to european & international affairs makes her a highly qualified  facilitator. 20 years, at the heart of the action has nurtured and strengthened her vision.

 

She assists teams, producers, creators, and industry professionals, in coordinating their international business, creative package and production strategiesAs a trusted advisor, she takes pride in guiding production teams to refine their projects within budget constraints, breathe life into captivating narratives, and unlock their full potential for success.

 

She fosters understanding among countries and individuals, nurturing synergies between creative aspects and legal & financial planning. She firmly believes that in today's globalized landscape, international collaboration and cultural diversity are keys to producing captivating premium content. She advocates for prioritizing international business affairs as a fundamental task.

Once upon a time in foreign lands

In international trade relations, the economic, legal, and regulatory framework quickly becomes very complex.

Jennifer, therefore, devises strategies to navigate this complexity.

She stands out for her solution-oriented approach and her ability to tackle complex problems, embracing flipthinking.

 

| IMPROVED TOOLS & METHODS

Combining large-scale strategies with day-to-day operational realities at each production stage, taking into account innovation  including AI and data if necessary.

 

 | ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES 

Analysing the power-balance between co-production partners.

Resolving the existing imbalances in a co-production, leveraging stakeholder dynamics and valorization tools.

Establishing and balancing co-production between high- and low-capacity countries while fostering business-driven, collaborative partnerships.

Introducing forms of collaboration that go beyond traditional vertical relationships, linking countries from different regions.

 

 | SIMPLIFIED WORKFLOWS 

Ensuring seamless management of cross-border collaborations and partnerships, simplifying the process and establishing shared management tools.

Mentoring and assessment services to guide teams and leaders in improving their performance and alignment with organizational goals.

 

 | EFFECTIVE NEGOTIATION 

Implementing secure and formalized negotiation spaces as indispensable for co-production success and fostering robust    business relationships.

 

 | OPTIMIZING CONTRACT IMPLEMENTATION 

Tools for effective communication throughout the pre-contractual phase, ensuring clear and transparent discussions

Drafting and transcribing terms and responsibilities in MOU's.

Recommending and implementing robust dispute resolution mechanisms to address conflicts fairly and efficiently

Designing mechanisms for sharing benefits and risks equitably among stakeholders, allowing for flexibility and adjustments as as conditions evolve, ensuring a responsive and fair approach.

 

| CULTURAL COMPETENCE TRAINING

Establishing cultural protocols and codes of conduct that foster a respectful and inclusive working environment

Strategies to enhance the value of non-monetary contributions, recognizing and leveraging diverse skills, knowledge, and resources to drive long-term success and collaboration.

 

 

Having navigated projects worldwide with a focus on Europe, SWANA, UAE, USA, UK, and Central and South Asia marketsshe is well-versed in working with content from a wide range of worldviews and cultures, adept at handling various storytelling and production setups : films, one-offs, premium documentaries, series, social network content, etc.

 

This breadth of experience has endowed her with a deep understanding of the global market and cultivated a robust network.

 

Ever eager to explore new and exciting paths, she collaborates with a diverse array of clients, including markets, production companies, industry labs, training centers, and institutions.

THE INSIDERS

The consultancies were very insightful to us. That's a kind of knowledge we don't get a chance to learn before we engage in any co-production deal.

Project team.

Co-production between Belgium/Sweeden/France/Senegal.

 

 

We are always keeping a thankful heart to you for giving us so much warm advice and showing us the practical ways when we really needed help.

Poject team.

Coproduction between Korea/Burma/Singapore/Denmark

Your consultation was the most tangible discussion I've had regarding coproduction, aligning perfectly with the current issues i'm facing.

Nadia, Producer, Ukraine

"I really enjoyed the way you explained so nicely those very complicated legal topics, especially the part about the obligations. It was so clear and easy to understand. And your specific advices were highly practical and could be directly applied to solve the problem we have." 

Paula, Producer, Brazil

"Your analysis provided valuable insights that significantly contributed to our ability to

readjust our project positionning & our financing strategy."

Producer, France

GDPR - in order to maintain client confidentiality, names of individuals or organizations involved in consultations are not disclosed.

Selection of assignments

- Speaker Shifting from Asymmetrical to Equitable Co-productions: Cultivating Cultural Awareness and Building Cultural Intelligence Capacity For The Atlas Workshops and Creative Producer Indaba 2024 - Marrakesh International Film Festival.

Group Leader - CHANGE coproduction training course. A programme supporting European Eastern Partnership organized by EAVE, CPH:DOX & International Media Support - 2024-2025 

https://eave.org/news/item/change-co-production-training-course-selection-announcement-for-2024-2025

- Speaker - Equitable Coproductions, Hambourg Explorer Konferenz 2024

Consultant Individual Co-production Strategy / Co-production & gap-financing individual Strategy, DISFF, Greece - Sept 2024

https://www.dramafilmfestival.gr/en/

- Trainer - International Co-production Workshop - Projecto Paradiso Brazil - Sept 2024.

https://www.projetoparadiso.org.br/

- Trainer - Financing French drama series and the mechanisms of international co-productions - The Media Faculty - July and October 2024.

- Speaker - Roundtable Europeanisation of French cinema: presentation of BNP Paribas' support measures in support of Cinema, Cannes 2024 Cinema du Monde Pavilion & in partnership with BNP Paribas, Cofiloisirs and Institut Français.

- Consultant - Cinema de Demain, Marché du Film, Cannes 2024.

https://cinemadedemain.festival-cannes.com/en/networking/decision-makers/

- Consultant on int'l co-productions for the selected projects at different stages of financing , from around the world Keynote speaker legal framework of co-productions, budget, financing plan, key negotiation terms, and fair trade guidelines - La Fabrique Cinéma 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 - Marché du film, Cannes Film Festival.

https://www.lescinemasdumonde.com/fr/les-programmes/la-fabrique

- Roundtable Moderator for 15 roundtables on TV Series Across the Spectrum: Navigating Technological Challenges, AI, and Beyond & Fireside chat with Netflix, Disney, Amazon & Max - Nouvelle Fiction Française 2024, The Media Faculty, Media Club.

https://nouvelle-fiction.com/programme

- Consultant & Tutor on int'l co-production - ESP, Coproduction Forum 2024.

https://www.europeanshortpitch.org/

- Project Mentor - Feature project by Fanny Galan / Documentary by Julia Saccani / Short by Manya Halas. One-year mentorship : dramaturgy support, structuring of intentions, oral presentation, and pitch deck, project positioning - Concept Support, Eurometrople of Strasbourg 2023-2024 / 2024-2025.

- Consultant - New Producers' Room - Marché du Film 2023.

https://cinemadedemain.festival-cannes.com/en/networking/new-producers-room/

- Speaker - Co-productions : Enjoy Complexity ! Routable for Rencontres du Cinéma Européens de Vannes, organized by Films en Bretagne 03/2023.

- Consultant on int'l co-productions on the selected project in development and financing from the SWANA & Africa regions Keynote speaker definition and types of co-productions, initiating and negotiating an MOU and ensuring equitable co-production practices - The Atlas Workshops 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 - Marrakesh International Film Festival.

https://atlasateliers.marrakech-festival.com/en/mentoring-prizes

- Roundtable Moderator for 11 roundtables on International co-production for TV Series & streamers - Nouvelle Fiction Française 2023, The Media Faculty, Media Club.

https://nouvelle-fiction.com/archive-2023

- SpeakerCoproducing in Europe: Cooperation Opportunities & Lucky Meetings, webinar organized by Films en Bretagne and ESP 01/2023.

- Training Designer & Trainer - Initiating and Managing an International Co-production, The Media Faculty 05/2022.

- Training Designer & Lecturer 

Training emerging local producers in international collaboration and co-production for Yallah Cinema UAE.

Tools for international co-production for LPA (Les Producteur.trices Associé.e.s de la Région Sud).

International co-development for Les Escales Buissonnières Lyon.

Addressing an international market pitch: how to collaborate with Producer for ESRA Master in screenwriting & directing.

Documentary case study for ESRA Master in production & distribution.

The audiovisual market, the value chain of production and documentary production case study for UGE International University.

Professionalization module and preparation of funding application files for IESA.

 

Missions carried out for private companies and expert assessments are not listed for confidentiality reasons.

HIGHLIGHTS

Collaborations | Consulted Projects

MA Cry of Silence, about a young Burmese woman who moves to the big city to work in a garment factory, was praised for “its courageous portrayal of resistance to historical and ongoing political challenges under Myanmar’s political junta”.  

A co-production between Korea, Singapore, France, Norway and Qatar.

A project followed as part of Open Doors Consultancy

I, The Song

by Dechen Roder

A co-production between Buthan, France, Italy & Norway

A project followed as part of Open Doors Consultancy

https://www.screendaily.com/news/diversion-boards-i-the-song-from-bhutans-dechen-roder-exclusive/5197862.article

 

Ressources

2024 Eurimages Pilot Programme for series coproductions

https://www.coe.int/en/web/programme-for-series-co-productions/-/dive-into-series-

 

 

 

 

Créez votre propre site internet avec Webador