Philip Alberstat
Partner
Fuel Industries
Philip Alberstat is a partner with 49 North Media/Fuel Industries. The company specializes in the creation and production of film, television and branded entertainment properties. Fuel has created branded content properties for clients such as Microsoft, Nokia, American Express, McDonalds, Fedex, HBO and many others. www.fuelindustries.com.
Prior to 49 North/Fuel Industries, Philip was an agent with the William Morris Agency, 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 his 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.
While working as a lawyer in London, 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). He was shortlisted in 2008 for an Academy Award, as producer of the documentary entitled, "Downstream".
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.