TIFF is expanding its industry influence with the launch of an official content market, designed as a central hub for buying and selling screen-based projects, intellectual property, and immersive and innovative content across all platforms.
TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and chief programming officer Anita Lee made the announcement on Thursday in Cannes, revealing that the market is in development thanks to a Cad $23 million investment from the Canadian federal government.
“What we’ve heard from the international industry at large is that TIFF is increasingly becoming a significant gateway to North America,” Lee told Variety, sitting down for an interview just a few hundred kilometers away from Cannes’ Marche du Film, which was an inspiration for TIFF’s version. “We have a fantastic culturally diverse, young, sophisticated audience. What the official market will allow us to do is create a hub and infrastructure for companies, producers, to come in from all around the world,...
TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and chief programming officer Anita Lee made the announcement on Thursday in Cannes, revealing that the market is in development thanks to a Cad $23 million investment from the Canadian federal government.
“What we’ve heard from the international industry at large is that TIFF is increasingly becoming a significant gateway to North America,” Lee told Variety, sitting down for an interview just a few hundred kilometers away from Cannes’ Marche du Film, which was an inspiration for TIFF’s version. “We have a fantastic culturally diverse, young, sophisticated audience. What the official market will allow us to do is create a hub and infrastructure for companies, producers, to come in from all around the world,...
- 5/16/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Veteran European film executive Tanja Meissner has been named the new director of Berlinale Pro*, a newly-created position that will include running the Berlin film festival’s European Film Market.
New Berlin film festival director Tricia Tuttle announced Meissner’s appointment on Friday, May 10, describing the Berlinale Pro* position as “a reshaped role [encompassing] the directorship of the European Film Market (EFM) while also taking a strategic lead in developing the Berlinale Pro consortium, together with the Heads of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and World Cinema Fund.” Meissner will report directly to Tuttle.
Meissner takes over at the EFM from Dennis Ruh, who confirmed late last year that the Berlinale would not be renewing his contract.
Meissner brings more than 25 years of experience to the job, and a deep understanding of the business of European independent cinema. Her CV includes long stints in French outfits Memento Films International — where...
New Berlin film festival director Tricia Tuttle announced Meissner’s appointment on Friday, May 10, describing the Berlinale Pro* position as “a reshaped role [encompassing] the directorship of the European Film Market (EFM) while also taking a strategic lead in developing the Berlinale Pro consortium, together with the Heads of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and World Cinema Fund.” Meissner will report directly to Tuttle.
Meissner takes over at the EFM from Dennis Ruh, who confirmed late last year that the Berlinale would not be renewing his contract.
Meissner brings more than 25 years of experience to the job, and a deep understanding of the business of European independent cinema. Her CV includes long stints in French outfits Memento Films International — where...
- 5/10/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tanja Meissner, a seasoned film executive with a long track record in international sales, has been appointed as the director of Berlinale Pro and the European Film Market (EFM).
Meissner replaces Dennis Ruh, who stepped down after this year’s edition of the EFM. The role has been reshaped and Meissner will be part of Berlinale festival director Tricia Tuttle’s executive team. It encompasses the directorship of the EFM and Meissner will also take a strategic lead in developing the Berlinale Pro consortium, together with the heads of the Berlinale co-production market, Berlinale Talents and World Cinema Fund, who will report directly to her.
A German-French dual citizen, Meissner has some 25 years of experience across the production, distribution and exhibition sectors. Her experience as a sales agent includes stints at Celluloid Dreams and Memento Films. Meissner will take up her role on May 13 and attend the Cannes Film Festival with the Berlinale team.
Meissner replaces Dennis Ruh, who stepped down after this year’s edition of the EFM. The role has been reshaped and Meissner will be part of Berlinale festival director Tricia Tuttle’s executive team. It encompasses the directorship of the EFM and Meissner will also take a strategic lead in developing the Berlinale Pro consortium, together with the heads of the Berlinale co-production market, Berlinale Talents and World Cinema Fund, who will report directly to her.
A German-French dual citizen, Meissner has some 25 years of experience across the production, distribution and exhibition sectors. Her experience as a sales agent includes stints at Celluloid Dreams and Memento Films. Meissner will take up her role on May 13 and attend the Cannes Film Festival with the Berlinale team.
- 5/10/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The Berlinale has appointed German-French film producer and executive Tanja Meissner as director of Berlinale Pro and the European Film Market, in a reshaped role that covers both bodies.
Meissner starts in the role on Monday, May 13, and will be attending Cannes.
The heads of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and World Cinema Fund will all report directly to Meissner, in her role as director of Berlinale Pro.
Meissner’s appointment was made by new Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle, herself heading into her first edition as head of the festival next year.
Meissner has over 25 years’ experience in the industry,...
Meissner starts in the role on Monday, May 13, and will be attending Cannes.
The heads of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and World Cinema Fund will all report directly to Meissner, in her role as director of Berlinale Pro.
Meissner’s appointment was made by new Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle, herself heading into her first edition as head of the festival next year.
Meissner has over 25 years’ experience in the industry,...
- 5/10/2024
- ScreenDaily
Mexican directors Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez’s Sujo won the Grand Prix at this year’s Sofia International Film Festival (March 13-24).
The Mexican-French-us co-production about a boy who must fight against the temptation of local gangs premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival where it won the Grand Jury Prize, and is being handled internationally by Alpha Violet.
The festival’s top prize has gone to a film from Mexico for the second year running after Carlos Eichelmann Kaiser’s Red Shoes won last year.
The international jury, presided over by Hungarian actor-writer-director Szabolcs Hadju and including outgoing EFM director Dennis Ruh,...
The Mexican-French-us co-production about a boy who must fight against the temptation of local gangs premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival where it won the Grand Jury Prize, and is being handled internationally by Alpha Violet.
The festival’s top prize has gone to a film from Mexico for the second year running after Carlos Eichelmann Kaiser’s Red Shoes won last year.
The international jury, presided over by Hungarian actor-writer-director Szabolcs Hadju and including outgoing EFM director Dennis Ruh,...
- 3/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
The Berlin Film Festival’s parent org the Kbb, which oversees state-backed cultural events in the German capital, has posted job ads for four key executive roles ahead of the arrival of the event’s new director Tricia Tuttle in April.
They include a new Chief of Staff role which is described as a key management level position within the Berlinale leadership team.
The appointee will give close support to Tuttle, who will be Berlinale’s sole director after the ditching of the dual directorship structure tried out with departed Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian and MD Mariette Rissenbeek.
As per the ad, the Chief of Staff’s duties will include “proactive and effective selection, prioritization and control of all communication from the festival management to ensure a smooth exchange of information.”
Getting the Berlinale’s communication strategy on track will be a priority for the new management team, after a difficult 74th edition.
They include a new Chief of Staff role which is described as a key management level position within the Berlinale leadership team.
The appointee will give close support to Tuttle, who will be Berlinale’s sole director after the ditching of the dual directorship structure tried out with departed Artistic Director Carlo Chatrian and MD Mariette Rissenbeek.
As per the ad, the Chief of Staff’s duties will include “proactive and effective selection, prioritization and control of all communication from the festival management to ensure a smooth exchange of information.”
Getting the Berlinale’s communication strategy on track will be a priority for the new management team, after a difficult 74th edition.
- 3/25/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Ongoing protests in Berlin against the war in Gaza — a conflict triggered by the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 — reached former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and attendees of the Berlin Film Festival’s European Film Market this week following concerted efforts by some international cultural workers to boycott and target German cultural institutions.
Clinton, in town for the Feb. 19 World Forum event organized by Cinema for Peace, was met by loud protests, criticizing U.S. support for Israel, as she began speaking on stage. Cinema for Peace organizers dismissed the action, saying: “Seven out of 1,000 guests expressed a different opinion, not a special occurrence to comment on in a democracy with free speech.”
The event followed a Feb. 18 protest at the EFM, where activists laid down on the front steps of the Gropius Bau drenched in mock blood with a sign reading, “Welcome to the Red Carpet.
Clinton, in town for the Feb. 19 World Forum event organized by Cinema for Peace, was met by loud protests, criticizing U.S. support for Israel, as she began speaking on stage. Cinema for Peace organizers dismissed the action, saying: “Seven out of 1,000 guests expressed a different opinion, not a special occurrence to comment on in a democracy with free speech.”
The event followed a Feb. 18 protest at the EFM, where activists laid down on the front steps of the Gropius Bau drenched in mock blood with a sign reading, “Welcome to the Red Carpet.
- 2/24/2024
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM) has posted a record of number of visitors for its 2024 edition, with more than 12,000 professionals from 143 countries attending this year.
But there was a 3% dip in registered buyers to 1,263, against 1,302 in 2023.
There was talk this year among TV professionals that the scrapping of the festival’s Berlinale Series TV screenings had led to a fall in TV buyers attending the EFM.
However, in response to a question on this rumor, the EFM told Deadline that the number of TV buyers was the same as 2023, without providing exact figures.
There was also a 14% drop in the number of film and series screening in the market, with 664 films and series shown in 728 onsite screenings and 301 online screenings, for a total of 1,029 screenings. There were 536 market premieres.
By comparison, in 2023, 773 films and series were shown in 906 onsite screenings and 647 online screenings, for a total of 1,533 screenings. There were 599 market premieres last year.
But there was a 3% dip in registered buyers to 1,263, against 1,302 in 2023.
There was talk this year among TV professionals that the scrapping of the festival’s Berlinale Series TV screenings had led to a fall in TV buyers attending the EFM.
However, in response to a question on this rumor, the EFM told Deadline that the number of TV buyers was the same as 2023, without providing exact figures.
There was also a 14% drop in the number of film and series screening in the market, with 664 films and series shown in 728 onsite screenings and 301 online screenings, for a total of 1,029 screenings. There were 536 market premieres.
By comparison, in 2023, 773 films and series were shown in 906 onsite screenings and 647 online screenings, for a total of 1,533 screenings. There were 599 market premieres last year.
- 2/22/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The European Film Market (EFM) has crossed the 12,000-visitor attendance barrier for the first time, setting a new record for the event.
Over 12,000 visitors from 143 countries attended the 2024 market, up from around 11,500 at the 2023 edition; and ahead of the pre-pandemic record of 11,423. Final figures will be confirmed in the coming days.
The number of exhibiting companies was also up slightly, to 614 from last year’s 612 – staying well ahead of the pre-pandemic mark of 564. The 614 figure includes those exhibiting at both the Gropius Bau and Marriott Hotel sites.
The number of buyers was down slightly, from last year’s record of...
Over 12,000 visitors from 143 countries attended the 2024 market, up from around 11,500 at the 2023 edition; and ahead of the pre-pandemic record of 11,423. Final figures will be confirmed in the coming days.
The number of exhibiting companies was also up slightly, to 614 from last year’s 612 – staying well ahead of the pre-pandemic mark of 564. The 614 figure includes those exhibiting at both the Gropius Bau and Marriott Hotel sites.
The number of buyers was down slightly, from last year’s record of...
- 2/22/2024
- ScreenDaily
European Orgs Could Step Up Ukrainian Biz Support as Filmmakers and Supporters Point to Funding Gaps
European film agencies, festivals and organizations could do more to support Ukrainian filmmakers, the head of Germany’s state film promotion body, German Films, says.
Simone Baumann, managing director of German Films — which supports the promotion of national filmmakers at festivals and events worldwide — says there is a lot of talk at festival panels and industry gatherings of supporting Ukrainians, but little financial backing.
“Festivals, especially the Berlinale, are trying to help by giving the Ukrainians a discount on the European Film Market booth, but there are not many other organisations that are helping them pay their way,” Baumann says.
“It could be better. In Cannes last year, it was the Estonians and German Films that supported the Ukrainian pavilion. Poland has also been helping — many Ukrainian (and Belarusian) filmmaker have got asylum there, and they are trying to help with projects too.”
One example of good practice, she says,...
Simone Baumann, managing director of German Films — which supports the promotion of national filmmakers at festivals and events worldwide — says there is a lot of talk at festival panels and industry gatherings of supporting Ukrainians, but little financial backing.
“Festivals, especially the Berlinale, are trying to help by giving the Ukrainians a discount on the European Film Market booth, but there are not many other organisations that are helping them pay their way,” Baumann says.
“It could be better. In Cannes last year, it was the Estonians and German Films that supported the Ukrainian pavilion. Poland has also been helping — many Ukrainian (and Belarusian) filmmaker have got asylum there, and they are trying to help with projects too.”
One example of good practice, she says,...
- 2/19/2024
- by Nick Holdsworth
- Variety Film + TV
Cost-cutting is believed to be behind the end of Berlinale Series this year and the festival has pivoted to inserting high-end TV shows across its programme. Yet top industry executives say endorsement from events such as Berlin and Cannes can have a “halo effect” for premium shows.
The Berlinale Series Market (February 19-21), now in its 10th year, remains in situ and EFM director Dennis Ruh calls it “an integral part” of the EFM with shows taking their place in most sales agents’ rosters.
At a time when many platforms are backing more mainstream drama series and network-style shows, Fremantle...
The Berlinale Series Market (February 19-21), now in its 10th year, remains in situ and EFM director Dennis Ruh calls it “an integral part” of the EFM with shows taking their place in most sales agents’ rosters.
At a time when many platforms are backing more mainstream drama series and network-style shows, Fremantle...
- 2/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
As the Berlinale Series Market celebrates its 10th anniversary, series continue to stand “side by side” with films at the German fest, observes EFM director Dennis Ruh.
“Bsm continues to be a beacon for all aspects of serialized content, even in years where space feels tighter with less films and series, giving selected titles more exposure,” he says, mentioning a “vibrant influx” of international professionals eager to showcase their shows.
Although the sidebar for series has been discontinued, they are present in Berlinale Special and Panorama sections. Apart from Netflix’s “Supersex” and “Dostoevskij” by Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, Berlinale Series Market Selects will spotlight 15 new shows.
“We prioritize narratives that captivate with their originality, championing diversity in representation, genre and geography. The goal is to amplify these stories, ensuring they receive the global attention they deserve,” explains Ruh, pointing out another important trend: comedy. “This might be a reaction...
“Bsm continues to be a beacon for all aspects of serialized content, even in years where space feels tighter with less films and series, giving selected titles more exposure,” he says, mentioning a “vibrant influx” of international professionals eager to showcase their shows.
Although the sidebar for series has been discontinued, they are present in Berlinale Special and Panorama sections. Apart from Netflix’s “Supersex” and “Dostoevskij” by Damiano and Fabio D’Innocenzo, Berlinale Series Market Selects will spotlight 15 new shows.
“We prioritize narratives that captivate with their originality, championing diversity in representation, genre and geography. The goal is to amplify these stories, ensuring they receive the global attention they deserve,” explains Ruh, pointing out another important trend: comedy. “This might be a reaction...
- 2/19/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Dennis Ruh, the director of the European Film Market (EFM), is predicting a ‘very busy’ event as the film industry gears up for its first major post-strike market.
Ruh anticipates plenty of commercial English-language projects being presented at EFM, which runs from February 15-21, and that there will be a big contingent coming from the US.
“EFM is the first big market after the [writers and actors’] strikes, which means that many companies are coming with new projects that were held back,” said Ruh.
Ruh’s comments come amid a flurry of pre-efm package announcements from companies including A24, which is handling Celine Song...
Ruh anticipates plenty of commercial English-language projects being presented at EFM, which runs from February 15-21, and that there will be a big contingent coming from the US.
“EFM is the first big market after the [writers and actors’] strikes, which means that many companies are coming with new projects that were held back,” said Ruh.
Ruh’s comments come amid a flurry of pre-efm package announcements from companies including A24, which is handling Celine Song...
- 2/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
Berlinale’s upcoming European Film Market is promising to be one of the best attended editions in years on the basis of registration numbers to date and amid expectations of a post-Hollywood strikes boost.
“Around 600 companies will be exhibiting, with every official space sold out. There’s not a single corner left,” EFM director Dennis Ruh said of the market running in Berlin’s Gropius Bau exhibition center and the nearby Marriott Hotel from February 15-21.
This compares with 519 exhibitors at the same time last year. The number of territories represented has also increased from 59 to 69.
New territory exhibitors include Saudi Arabia, which will have an umbrella stand in the Gropius Bau, as well as New Zealand, Moldova and Greenland.
“I’m also happy to have India back at the market because they had no official delegation at the market last year. And this year, they will come with a big delegation,...
“Around 600 companies will be exhibiting, with every official space sold out. There’s not a single corner left,” EFM director Dennis Ruh said of the market running in Berlin’s Gropius Bau exhibition center and the nearby Marriott Hotel from February 15-21.
This compares with 519 exhibitors at the same time last year. The number of territories represented has also increased from 59 to 69.
New territory exhibitors include Saudi Arabia, which will have an umbrella stand in the Gropius Bau, as well as New Zealand, Moldova and Greenland.
“I’m also happy to have India back at the market because they had no official delegation at the market last year. And this year, they will come with a big delegation,...
- 1/30/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
They claim the Flemish cultural sector will now suffer without De Schutter’s expertise and international contacts.
Over 150 leading figures from the European and international industry have signed an open letter in support of Christian De Schutter, former managing director of Flanders Image, whose sudden removal from his role was announced in a short email sent by Koen Van Bockstal, CEO of Flanders Audiovisual Fund (Vaf), on December 20.
“We’re all flummoxed by the situation and as his longtime colleagues we think we deserve some sort of explanation. We know that many people in Belgium, including your leading filmmakers, are also confused and angered,...
Over 150 leading figures from the European and international industry have signed an open letter in support of Christian De Schutter, former managing director of Flanders Image, whose sudden removal from his role was announced in a short email sent by Koen Van Bockstal, CEO of Flanders Audiovisual Fund (Vaf), on December 20.
“We’re all flummoxed by the situation and as his longtime colleagues we think we deserve some sort of explanation. We know that many people in Belgium, including your leading filmmakers, are also confused and angered,...
- 1/12/2024
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Tuttle revealed she will move to Berlin, learn to speak German and is excited by the state of German-language cinema.
Initial reactions from the German film industry to the appointment of Tricia Tuttle as the first female director of the Berlinale have been overwhelmingly positive.
“I truly welcome a female artistic director of the Berlinale. I think it was time that one of the big festivals has a woman as the leading person. So cheers to that!” said producer Janine Jackowski, co-founder of Komplizen Film whose production of Nadav Lapid’s Synonyms won the Golden Bear in 2019.
This sentiment was shared by Christine Berg,...
Initial reactions from the German film industry to the appointment of Tricia Tuttle as the first female director of the Berlinale have been overwhelmingly positive.
“I truly welcome a female artistic director of the Berlinale. I think it was time that one of the big festivals has a woman as the leading person. So cheers to that!” said producer Janine Jackowski, co-founder of Komplizen Film whose production of Nadav Lapid’s Synonyms won the Golden Bear in 2019.
This sentiment was shared by Christine Berg,...
- 12/12/2023
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Dennis Ruh, whose departure as head of the Berlinale’s European Film Market after the 2024 edition was announced today, has expressed surprise that his contract has not been renewed and also questioned the festival’s new hiring protocols.
Ruh revealed he was being let go in an earlier statement because incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle had decided to appoint a new EFM head for the 2025 edition. The market boss said he had not been given a chance to discuss the matter with Tuttle.
News of Ruh’s departure, broke a few hours after the surprise announcement of Tuttle as the new Berlinale director, replacing Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek after the 2024 edition.
Ruh, who took up the EFM role in the fall of 2020 amid the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic, said he had expected better treatment on the back of the performance of the market’s 2023 edition, which he described as...
Ruh revealed he was being let go in an earlier statement because incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle had decided to appoint a new EFM head for the 2025 edition. The market boss said he had not been given a chance to discuss the matter with Tuttle.
News of Ruh’s departure, broke a few hours after the surprise announcement of Tuttle as the new Berlinale director, replacing Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek after the 2024 edition.
Ruh, who took up the EFM role in the fall of 2020 amid the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic, said he had expected better treatment on the back of the performance of the market’s 2023 edition, which he described as...
- 12/12/2023
- by Diana Lodderhose and Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Gerard Depardieu: The Fall Of The Ogre was broadcast on France 2
An investigative documentary featuring footage of Gerard Depardieu engaging in lewd, sexist behaviour has sent shockwaves through the world of French cinema.
The documentary, Gerard Depardieu: La Chute De l’Ogre (Gerard Depardieu: The Fall Of The Ogre), was broadcast on December 7, part of France 2’s investigative series Complément d’Enquete.
It includes testimony from actress Helene Darras who said she officially pressed charges against Depardieu after claiming he sexually assaulted her on the set of Fabien Onteniente’s 2008 local comedy Disco. According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, an...
An investigative documentary featuring footage of Gerard Depardieu engaging in lewd, sexist behaviour has sent shockwaves through the world of French cinema.
The documentary, Gerard Depardieu: La Chute De l’Ogre (Gerard Depardieu: The Fall Of The Ogre), was broadcast on December 7, part of France 2’s investigative series Complément d’Enquete.
It includes testimony from actress Helene Darras who said she officially pressed charges against Depardieu after claiming he sexually assaulted her on the set of Fabien Onteniente’s 2008 local comedy Disco. According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, an...
- 12/12/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
Titles for the Limelight, Harbour, Cinema Regained and Focus strands have been added to the line-up.
Marco Müller, who headed International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) from 1989-1991, is returning as part of the 2024 Tiger international competition jury.
He is being joined by Bosnian-Dutch filmmaker Ena Sendijarević,producer, industry expert and founder of Easy Rider Films, Nadia Turincev; Hong Kong filmmaker Herman Yau; and LA Rebellion film movement figure and filmmaker Billy Woodberry, whose title Mário will have its world premiere in the Harbour strand.
They will choose the winners of the Tiger award, worth €40,000, and the special jury awards, worth...
Marco Müller, who headed International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) from 1989-1991, is returning as part of the 2024 Tiger international competition jury.
He is being joined by Bosnian-Dutch filmmaker Ena Sendijarević,producer, industry expert and founder of Easy Rider Films, Nadia Turincev; Hong Kong filmmaker Herman Yau; and LA Rebellion film movement figure and filmmaker Billy Woodberry, whose title Mário will have its world premiere in the Harbour strand.
They will choose the winners of the Tiger award, worth €40,000, and the special jury awards, worth...
- 12/12/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
The shake up at the Berlin Film Festival has begun.
Just hours after former BFI London festival director Tricia Tuttle was named to take over from Carlo Chatrian and Mariëtte Rissenbeek as the new head of the Berlinale, Dennis Ruh, director of Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM) is out.
Ruh on Tuesday confirmed he will be leaving the EFM after next year’s market, saying the Berlinale has decided not to extend his contract when it expires in March 2024. Tuttle will take over as the new Berlinale boss in April.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” Ruh said in a statement. “This news was brought to me via official channels. There was no conversation with the new Berlinale director. Therefore, the EFM in...
Just hours after former BFI London festival director Tricia Tuttle was named to take over from Carlo Chatrian and Mariëtte Rissenbeek as the new head of the Berlinale, Dennis Ruh, director of Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM) is out.
Ruh on Tuesday confirmed he will be leaving the EFM after next year’s market, saying the Berlinale has decided not to extend his contract when it expires in March 2024. Tuttle will take over as the new Berlinale boss in April.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” Ruh said in a statement. “This news was brought to me via official channels. There was no conversation with the new Berlinale director. Therefore, the EFM in...
- 12/12/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dennis Ruh, the head of the European Film Market, has issued a statement saying that he will step down from his position after the 2024 edition of the Berlin Film Festival.
Ruh unveiled the news of his upcoming departure in a letter sent to journalists shortly after Tricia Tuttle, the former head of the BFI London Film Festival, was announced as the new director of the Berlinale starting in 2025.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” said Ruh. He added that he hadn’t had a conversation with Tuttle and found out through “official channels.”
“I look back on three editions in which we created important momentum for the international film and distribution industry, initially even in the newly developed virtual format,” said Ruh. “With the...
Ruh unveiled the news of his upcoming departure in a letter sent to journalists shortly after Tricia Tuttle, the former head of the BFI London Film Festival, was announced as the new director of the Berlinale starting in 2025.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” said Ruh. He added that he hadn’t had a conversation with Tuttle and found out through “official channels.”
“I look back on three editions in which we created important momentum for the international film and distribution industry, initially even in the newly developed virtual format,” said Ruh. “With the...
- 12/12/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Ruh said his contract was not being renewed by incoming director Tricia Tuttle.
Dennis Ruh, the director of the European Film Market (EFM), will leave after the 2024 edition following a decision by incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle not to renew his contract, according to Ruh.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” said Ruh in a statement. ”This news was brought to me via official channels. There was no conversation with the new Berlinale director.
Dennis Ruh, the director of the European Film Market (EFM), will leave after the 2024 edition following a decision by incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle not to renew his contract, according to Ruh.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” said Ruh in a statement. ”This news was brought to me via official channels. There was no conversation with the new Berlinale director.
- 12/12/2023
- by Louise Tutt
- ScreenDaily
Dennis Ruh, director of the Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM), has announced his departure as head of the market after the 2024 edition.
Ruh said in a statement that Berlinale’s incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle had decided to appoint a new EFM director for 2025.
He said that his contract had been left to expire and that he had not been offered the chance to discuss its renewal with Tuttle, whose appointment was announced this morning.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” he said.
“This news was brought to me via official channels. There was no conversation with the new Berlinale director. Therefore, the EFM in February 2024 will be the last under my leadership.”
Looking to the 2024 edition, Ruh said the exhibition spaces were sold out,...
Ruh said in a statement that Berlinale’s incoming festival director Tricia Tuttle had decided to appoint a new EFM director for 2025.
He said that his contract had been left to expire and that he had not been offered the chance to discuss its renewal with Tuttle, whose appointment was announced this morning.
“The designated director of the Berlinale has decided to appoint a new head of the European Film Market for the 2025 edition and to let my contract as EFM Director expire in March 2024,” he said.
“This news was brought to me via official channels. There was no conversation with the new Berlinale director. Therefore, the EFM in February 2024 will be the last under my leadership.”
Looking to the 2024 edition, Ruh said the exhibition spaces were sold out,...
- 12/12/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The end of the actors strike is particularly good news for the European Film Market (EFM), which expects a bonanza of new projects held up or postponed during the SAG-AFTRA walkout.
SAG-AFTRA members voted Tuesday to approve their new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing Hollywood’s major studios and streamers. The new deal, valued by the union at over $1 billion, will now take effect retroactive to June 9, and will extend to June 30, 2026.
EFM director Dennis Ruh said the Berlin market, which runs February 15 to 21, 2024, is poised to benefit as actors get back to work.
“This being the first market after the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strike, we are receiving positive, promising feedback from sales agents and other market participants,” says Ruh. “They will bring projects to the EFM which were interrupted temporarily or even held back but are ready to resume or be...
SAG-AFTRA members voted Tuesday to approve their new three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing Hollywood’s major studios and streamers. The new deal, valued by the union at over $1 billion, will now take effect retroactive to June 9, and will extend to June 30, 2026.
EFM director Dennis Ruh said the Berlin market, which runs February 15 to 21, 2024, is poised to benefit as actors get back to work.
“This being the first market after the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strike, we are receiving positive, promising feedback from sales agents and other market participants,” says Ruh. “They will bring projects to the EFM which were interrupted temporarily or even held back but are ready to resume or be...
- 12/6/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: It’s been a year of evolution for the European Film Market and its TV track Berlinale Series Market. Management is changing at sister festival Berlinale, with Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian exiting amid worries about finances, and the number of films screened reducing.
Meanwhile, Berlinale Series boss Julia Fidel has also departed, with the track was discontinued as an independent program. Series will instead be highlighted as part of the Berlinale Series Gala — a move the festival thinks brings it closer in line with other European film fests such as Cannes and Venice.
Notably for the TV biz, the Berlinale Series Market industry conference remains unaffected and will be running a full program. Last year the likes of The White Lotus exec producer David Bernad, Shades of Blue creator Adi Hasak and The Tinder Swindler director Felicity Morris took the stage in sessions hosted by myself and Max Goldbart.
Meanwhile, Berlinale Series boss Julia Fidel has also departed, with the track was discontinued as an independent program. Series will instead be highlighted as part of the Berlinale Series Gala — a move the festival thinks brings it closer in line with other European film fests such as Cannes and Venice.
Notably for the TV biz, the Berlinale Series Market industry conference remains unaffected and will be running a full program. Last year the likes of The White Lotus exec producer David Bernad, Shades of Blue creator Adi Hasak and The Tinder Swindler director Felicity Morris took the stage in sessions hosted by myself and Max Goldbart.
- 12/6/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Berlin’s European Film Market has unveiled a new finance forum in collaboration with conference producer Winston Baker and the inaugural edition of AfroBerlin, focusing on the African film industry, among its new initiatives in its forthcoming edition, which runs Feb. 15-21.
Winston Baker’s Entertainment Finance Forum Berlin, taking place Feb. 16, “will bring an international perspective on the state of the industry when it comes to financing and funding film production,” EFM director Dennis Ruh tells Variety.
Winston Baker already organizes the International Film Finance Forum in Cannes. “We are opening it up more for entertainment,” Ruh notes. The idea for the Berlin forum, which originated at the American Film Market, enriches the EFM’s program by showcasing existing opportunities, particularly when it comes to working with private equity internationally.
While the EFM offers an expansive international focus, the event is taking place amid growing pessimism in the German...
Winston Baker’s Entertainment Finance Forum Berlin, taking place Feb. 16, “will bring an international perspective on the state of the industry when it comes to financing and funding film production,” EFM director Dennis Ruh tells Variety.
Winston Baker already organizes the International Film Finance Forum in Cannes. “We are opening it up more for entertainment,” Ruh notes. The idea for the Berlin forum, which originated at the American Film Market, enriches the EFM’s program by showcasing existing opportunities, particularly when it comes to working with private equity internationally.
While the EFM offers an expansive international focus, the event is taking place amid growing pessimism in the German...
- 12/6/2023
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Saudi event has become a magnet for international execs and talent
As the third edition Red Sea International Film Festival kicks off today, the fledgling Saudi event has fast become a magnet for an international industry looking to access funding, talent and stories from the Middle East.
A significant number of international sales agents, distributors, financiers, producers and festival chiefs are travelling to Jeddah for Red Sea for the first time this year, making the trip despite regional tensions caused by Israel-Hamas war and an anticipated post-strike scaling up of production in the US and Europe.
At a time...
As the third edition Red Sea International Film Festival kicks off today, the fledgling Saudi event has fast become a magnet for an international industry looking to access funding, talent and stories from the Middle East.
A significant number of international sales agents, distributors, financiers, producers and festival chiefs are travelling to Jeddah for Red Sea for the first time this year, making the trip despite regional tensions caused by Israel-Hamas war and an anticipated post-strike scaling up of production in the US and Europe.
At a time...
- 11/30/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
The Locarno Southern Africa Industry Academy will run during Fame Week Africa in September.
African filmmaking agency Realness has selected nine industry professionals for the second edition of the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, the development programme for professionals working in distribution, sales, programming and exhibition.
This year’s edition has focused on women, “as the global film industry requires more female voices to be heard”, according to Markus Duffner, head of Locarno Pro, and Marion Klotz, project manager for the academy.
Scroll down for the full list of participants
The 2023 academy will run during Fame Week Africa in Cape Town,...
African filmmaking agency Realness has selected nine industry professionals for the second edition of the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, the development programme for professionals working in distribution, sales, programming and exhibition.
This year’s edition has focused on women, “as the global film industry requires more female voices to be heard”, according to Markus Duffner, head of Locarno Pro, and Marion Klotz, project manager for the academy.
Scroll down for the full list of participants
The 2023 academy will run during Fame Week Africa in Cape Town,...
- 6/27/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Kirsten Niehuus, CEO at Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, which funds films and TV series production in the Berlin region, and Simone Baumann, managing director of German Films, which promotes and supports the release of German films abroad, welcomed a wide array of guests to their garden party at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday.
Three Medienboard-funded films are in this year’s Competition: Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters,” Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner’s “Club Zero,” and U.S. helmer Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City.”
Niehuus told Variety: “Those are three very different productions, but it shows the spectrum [of films] that Medienboard supports.” Tunisian films, like “Four Daughters,” need international co-production funding to get made, she said, and “we believe in world cinema, so were very happy [to back it].” Hausner is “one of the most impressive female filmmakers [in the world], and I think there should be more female filmmakers on the Croisette and every other ‘A’ festival,...
Three Medienboard-funded films are in this year’s Competition: Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters,” Austrian filmmaker Jessica Hausner’s “Club Zero,” and U.S. helmer Wes Anderson’s “Asteroid City.”
Niehuus told Variety: “Those are three very different productions, but it shows the spectrum [of films] that Medienboard supports.” Tunisian films, like “Four Daughters,” need international co-production funding to get made, she said, and “we believe in world cinema, so were very happy [to back it].” Hausner is “one of the most impressive female filmmakers [in the world], and I think there should be more female filmmakers on the Croisette and every other ‘A’ festival,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Italy will be the “Country of Focus” at the European Film Market In Berlin in 2024, reflecting the current flourish of the Italian film and TV industry and its growing international relevance and ambition.
The spotlight on Italy during the EFM will highlight the work of Italian filmmakers and offer an opportunity to network with local producers, distributors, investors and experts.
The official agreement was signed at Cannes in the Italian Pavillion by Berlinale managing director Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Roberto Stabile, head of special projects of Italy’s general directorate for cinema. Also on hand were EFM director Dennis Ruh, Nicola Borrelli, head of the film department of Italy’s culture ministry, and Venice fest chief Alberto Barbera.
During a panel Borrelli pointed out that the Italian government is currently in the process of boosting its incentives to support Italian film and TV exports.
Ruh noted that the Italian film and...
The spotlight on Italy during the EFM will highlight the work of Italian filmmakers and offer an opportunity to network with local producers, distributors, investors and experts.
The official agreement was signed at Cannes in the Italian Pavillion by Berlinale managing director Mariëtte Rissenbeek and Roberto Stabile, head of special projects of Italy’s general directorate for cinema. Also on hand were EFM director Dennis Ruh, Nicola Borrelli, head of the film department of Italy’s culture ministry, and Venice fest chief Alberto Barbera.
During a panel Borrelli pointed out that the Italian government is currently in the process of boosting its incentives to support Italian film and TV exports.
Ruh noted that the Italian film and...
- 5/21/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Italy has boosted its minority coproduction fund from €5m-€6m.
Italy will be the ’Country of Focus’ at the European Film Market In Berlin in 2024 as part of a major push from the Italian government to boost the profile of Italian films around the world.
Roberto Stabile, head of special projects of the directorate general for cinema and audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture (Dgca-MiC) at Cinecittà, confirmed an extra €500,000 has been set aside for the event.
“We will try to bring the best from Italy to Berlin,” he said in Cannes, where three Italian films are screening in Competition: Alice Rohrwacher’s La Chimera,...
Italy will be the ’Country of Focus’ at the European Film Market In Berlin in 2024 as part of a major push from the Italian government to boost the profile of Italian films around the world.
Roberto Stabile, head of special projects of the directorate general for cinema and audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture (Dgca-MiC) at Cinecittà, confirmed an extra €500,000 has been set aside for the event.
“We will try to bring the best from Italy to Berlin,” he said in Cannes, where three Italian films are screening in Competition: Alice Rohrwacher’s La Chimera,...
- 5/20/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
The Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy will be hosted with Fame Week in September.
Africa filmmaking agency Realness Institute is connecting two of its initiatives and launching a third in partnership with Fame Week Africa, a September market event for African creatives.
Realness’ Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, and the seventh edition of its Screenwriters’ Residency, will now be hosted at Fame Week Africa, which launched last year and holds its 2023 edition from September 3-9 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Institute has also launched Episodic Pitches, a pitching event for series that will look to unite the concepts developed across Realness...
Africa filmmaking agency Realness Institute is connecting two of its initiatives and launching a third in partnership with Fame Week Africa, a September market event for African creatives.
Realness’ Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, and the seventh edition of its Screenwriters’ Residency, will now be hosted at Fame Week Africa, which launched last year and holds its 2023 edition from September 3-9 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The Institute has also launched Episodic Pitches, a pitching event for series that will look to unite the concepts developed across Realness...
- 4/18/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Over 11,500 market participants up from 11,423 in 2020.
The 2023 European Film Market (EFM) has set all-time records for attendance, plus the number of stands, and screenings – a positive indication that the business has recovered up to and beyond pre-pandemic levels.
With the 2023 edition closing yesterday (February 22), the EFM reported over 11,500 participants – up from the previous record of 11,423 in 2020, the last year of an on-site EFM.
There were 230 stands at this year’s market across the Martin Groppius Bau and Marriott Hotel sites, up from 203 in 2020; with 612 companies exhibiting, an increase of 8.5% from 2020’s 564. The 612 companies originated from 78 countries, with the market participants hailing from 132 countries.
The 2023 European Film Market (EFM) has set all-time records for attendance, plus the number of stands, and screenings – a positive indication that the business has recovered up to and beyond pre-pandemic levels.
With the 2023 edition closing yesterday (February 22), the EFM reported over 11,500 participants – up from the previous record of 11,423 in 2020, the last year of an on-site EFM.
There were 230 stands at this year’s market across the Martin Groppius Bau and Marriott Hotel sites, up from 203 in 2020; with 612 companies exhibiting, an increase of 8.5% from 2020’s 564. The 612 companies originated from 78 countries, with the market participants hailing from 132 countries.
- 2/24/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Markets
Berlin’s just concluded European Film Market (EFM), which had a physical edition this year after two online editions in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic, has reported “record results” according to the organizers. There were 230 stands and 612 companies from 78 countries and more than 11,500 market participants from 132 countries. Some 773 films were shown in 1,533 screenings, including 647 online screenings and 599 market premieres. The total number of buyers also rose to 1,302. 629 film projects were presented on the new Producers & Project Pages.
“After the past two irregular years, we’re pleased to return to the physical in full force, and with a vibrant, bustling and strong market. The exhibition areas at Gropius Bau and the Marriott Hotel were sold out, and the exhibitors reported strong sales and good business. The decision to group all the market happenings together with the Berlinale Series Market and the market screenings at Potsdamer Platz, and to provide the industry with an efficient infrastructure,...
Berlin’s just concluded European Film Market (EFM), which had a physical edition this year after two online editions in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic, has reported “record results” according to the organizers. There were 230 stands and 612 companies from 78 countries and more than 11,500 market participants from 132 countries. Some 773 films were shown in 1,533 screenings, including 647 online screenings and 599 market premieres. The total number of buyers also rose to 1,302. 629 film projects were presented on the new Producers & Project Pages.
“After the past two irregular years, we’re pleased to return to the physical in full force, and with a vibrant, bustling and strong market. The exhibition areas at Gropius Bau and the Marriott Hotel were sold out, and the exhibitors reported strong sales and good business. The decision to group all the market happenings together with the Berlinale Series Market and the market screenings at Potsdamer Platz, and to provide the industry with an efficient infrastructure,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
It started with a playdate. It was the 2019 Berlin Film festival, and five industry professionals — Sarah Calderon of The Film Agency, Berlinale programmer Aurelie Godet, Olimpia Pont Chafer of Torino Film, Alan Seville of the European Works in Progress program, and Rotterdam festival programmer Michelle Carey — all working moms, met up for a break from the Berlin hustle and bustle and to give their kids a chance to interact with other non-adults.
“We started talking about what we were all facing, trying to balance being a parent with this job, and the stresses on our personal life,” Carey recalls. “We all said: this has to change.”
Anyone who has experienced the film festival circuit as the parent of young children can emphatize. With its cycle of international travel, late-night premieres and boozy after-hours events, most international fests are distinctly un-family friendly. It’s fine for celebrities able to pay for private nannies and entertainment.
“We started talking about what we were all facing, trying to balance being a parent with this job, and the stresses on our personal life,” Carey recalls. “We all said: this has to change.”
Anyone who has experienced the film festival circuit as the parent of young children can emphatize. With its cycle of international travel, late-night premieres and boozy after-hours events, most international fests are distinctly un-family friendly. It’s fine for celebrities able to pay for private nannies and entertainment.
- 2/17/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
HanWay Films handles sales at EFM.
Bleecker Street has acquired North American rights from HanWay Films to historical epic The Return, a retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey which reunites Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche 25 years after The English Patient.
HanWay continues international sales at the EFM and has licensed Benelux (The Searchers), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Turkey (Mars), Poland (Monolith), former Yugoslavia (Cinemania), Baltics (Gpi), the Middle East (Front Row), South Africa (Filmfinity), and Singapore (Shaw). Cinesky has exclusive airline rights.
Uberto Pasolini (Nowhere Special) will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with Edward Bond and John Collee (Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World...
Bleecker Street has acquired North American rights from HanWay Films to historical epic The Return, a retelling of Homer’s The Odyssey which reunites Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche 25 years after The English Patient.
HanWay continues international sales at the EFM and has licensed Benelux (The Searchers), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Turkey (Mars), Poland (Monolith), former Yugoslavia (Cinemania), Baltics (Gpi), the Middle East (Front Row), South Africa (Filmfinity), and Singapore (Shaw). Cinesky has exclusive airline rights.
Uberto Pasolini (Nowhere Special) will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with Edward Bond and John Collee (Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World...
- 2/16/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Film is about the impact of police misconduct on a Parisian family.
Bac Films and Wild Bunch International are kicking off sales on Mehdi Fikri’s hot market title After the Fire at the European Film Market.
The film is Fikri’s first feature following his short Descente screened in Horizons at Venice in 2021.
The incendiary drama about police violence features a starry cast including French talents Camelia Jordana, who won the Cesar for best newcomer for her role in Yvan Attal’s Le Brio, and Sofiane Zermani, who stars in Netflix’s French-language film No Limit. They star alongside Sofian Khammes,...
Bac Films and Wild Bunch International are kicking off sales on Mehdi Fikri’s hot market title After the Fire at the European Film Market.
The film is Fikri’s first feature following his short Descente screened in Horizons at Venice in 2021.
The incendiary drama about police violence features a starry cast including French talents Camelia Jordana, who won the Cesar for best newcomer for her role in Yvan Attal’s Le Brio, and Sofiane Zermani, who stars in Netflix’s French-language film No Limit. They star alongside Sofian Khammes,...
- 2/15/2023
- by Rebecca Leffler
- ScreenDaily
After a couple of lean years, Berlin is ready to feast.
Its European Film Market kicks off on Thursday, Feb. 16 with hundreds of finished films and scores of new packages and projects for every cinematic taste and budget. Even as sellers are still setting up their stands at the EFM’s Martin Gropius Bau headquarters, new packages continue to come thick and fast.
Black Bear International, which helped close a deal with Lionsgate (for domestic) and Amazon (for multiple international territories) for Guy Ritchie’s World War II actioner The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare on the eve of Berlin, added the buzzy musical project Fred & Ginger, about Hollywood dance legends Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, played by Jamie Bell and Margaret Qualley, to its EFM slate. Black Bear will handle international sales of the project, previously at Amazon, with UTA Independent Film Group and 30West co-repping the U.S.
Its European Film Market kicks off on Thursday, Feb. 16 with hundreds of finished films and scores of new packages and projects for every cinematic taste and budget. Even as sellers are still setting up their stands at the EFM’s Martin Gropius Bau headquarters, new packages continue to come thick and fast.
Black Bear International, which helped close a deal with Lionsgate (for domestic) and Amazon (for multiple international territories) for Guy Ritchie’s World War II actioner The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare on the eve of Berlin, added the buzzy musical project Fred & Ginger, about Hollywood dance legends Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, played by Jamie Bell and Margaret Qualley, to its EFM slate. Black Bear will handle international sales of the project, previously at Amazon, with UTA Independent Film Group and 30West co-repping the U.S.
- 2/15/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Filmmakers from Belarus who have fled government repression and state-sponsored violence have launched an independent Belarusian film academy to represent the country’s cinema artists in exile.
The Academy’s founders include producer Volia Chajkouskaya (Yoyogi); directors Aliaksei Paluyan (Courage), Darya Zhuk (Crystal Swan) and Andrei Kutsila (When Flowers are Not Silent); festival programmer Igor Soukmanov; and film critic Irena Kaciałovič.
Thousands of Belarusians fled the country in the wake of the brutal government crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protestors who began mass demonstrations following the contested 2020 presidential election, in which authoritarian leader Aliaksandr Lukashenka claimed victory despite widespread evidence of voting fraud.
Independent artists living in Belarus are under “constant threat of persecution, imprisonment and torture,” the group, which calls itself the Belarusian Independent Film Academy (BIFA), said in a statement Friday. “As well as a need to leave the country in order to continue working without state repression and...
The Academy’s founders include producer Volia Chajkouskaya (Yoyogi); directors Aliaksei Paluyan (Courage), Darya Zhuk (Crystal Swan) and Andrei Kutsila (When Flowers are Not Silent); festival programmer Igor Soukmanov; and film critic Irena Kaciałovič.
Thousands of Belarusians fled the country in the wake of the brutal government crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protestors who began mass demonstrations following the contested 2020 presidential election, in which authoritarian leader Aliaksandr Lukashenka claimed victory despite widespread evidence of voting fraud.
Independent artists living in Belarus are under “constant threat of persecution, imprisonment and torture,” the group, which calls itself the Belarusian Independent Film Academy (BIFA), said in a statement Friday. “As well as a need to leave the country in order to continue working without state repression and...
- 2/10/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A new independent film academy has launched out of Belarus to support the country’s independent artists.
The Belarusian Film Academy (BIFA) will officially launch during this month’s Berlin Film Festival, where an industry presentation will be made in partnership with the European Film Market.
The org has been set up in response to a “constant threat” of persecution, imprisonment and torture against independent artists living in Belarus, who are forced to leave the country in order to work without state repression. Belarus neighbors both Ukraine and Russia, and has supported Russia in its nearly year-long war against Ukraine. Belarus allowed Moscow to stage part of its invasion from Belarusian territory in February 2022, and has also enabled missiles to strike Ukraine from within its borders.
The founding members of the new academy include: Volia Chajkouskaya, Aliaksei Paluyan (film director), Darya Zhuk (film director), Irena Kaciałovič (film critic), Andrei Kutsila...
The Belarusian Film Academy (BIFA) will officially launch during this month’s Berlin Film Festival, where an industry presentation will be made in partnership with the European Film Market.
The org has been set up in response to a “constant threat” of persecution, imprisonment and torture against independent artists living in Belarus, who are forced to leave the country in order to work without state repression. Belarus neighbors both Ukraine and Russia, and has supported Russia in its nearly year-long war against Ukraine. Belarus allowed Moscow to stage part of its invasion from Belarusian territory in February 2022, and has also enabled missiles to strike Ukraine from within its borders.
The founding members of the new academy include: Volia Chajkouskaya, Aliaksei Paluyan (film director), Darya Zhuk (film director), Irena Kaciałovič (film critic), Andrei Kutsila...
- 2/1/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Good afternoon Insiders, Max Goldbart here. It’s Oscar noms week, and we’d be rude not to bring you the latest headlines and analysis from the Academy and beyond. Read on.
And The Nominations Are In
Everything Everywhere all at the Oscars: Zac Ntim here reporting after an Oscar noms week in which A24’s multiverse epic Everything Everywhere All at Once scored a leading 11 nominations, while there was plenty to digest on the international side. The film’s haul included Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh, who became the first actress of Asian descent nominated in the category. Writer-directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert originally created the role for Jackie Chan. The A24 pic has leapt from plucky underdog to awards frontrunner in a matter of weeks, collecting impressive hauls at BAFTA and numerous others. A nomination for Best Supporting Actress Stephanie Hsu, who...
And The Nominations Are In
Everything Everywhere all at the Oscars: Zac Ntim here reporting after an Oscar noms week in which A24’s multiverse epic Everything Everywhere All at Once scored a leading 11 nominations, while there was plenty to digest on the international side. The film’s haul included Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Michelle Yeoh, who became the first actress of Asian descent nominated in the category. Writer-directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert originally created the role for Jackie Chan. The A24 pic has leapt from plucky underdog to awards frontrunner in a matter of weeks, collecting impressive hauls at BAFTA and numerous others. A nomination for Best Supporting Actress Stephanie Hsu, who...
- 1/27/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The Berlinale’s European Film Market (February 16-22) has unveiled a pioneering initiative offering a phone and laptop-free “safe space” where delegates can reflect and decompress.
Called the Room Of Stillness, the space is situated in the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation, which is a five-minute walk around the corner from the market’s main Gropius Bau hub.
“It’s a space where you can recharge, reflect, even just take a minute to calm down,” explains EFM director Dennis Ruh.
“It’s part of our campaign around mental health and life balance in the film industry which we began some years ago.”
The Documentation Centre, which opened in the summer of 2021 with a focus on politically, ethnically and religiously motivated forced migrations in the 20th Century, will host most of EFM’s industry talks and conferences this year.
In addition to the Room of Silence, the EFM will also...
Called the Room Of Stillness, the space is situated in the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation, which is a five-minute walk around the corner from the market’s main Gropius Bau hub.
“It’s a space where you can recharge, reflect, even just take a minute to calm down,” explains EFM director Dennis Ruh.
“It’s part of our campaign around mental health and life balance in the film industry which we began some years ago.”
The Documentation Centre, which opened in the summer of 2021 with a focus on politically, ethnically and religiously motivated forced migrations in the 20th Century, will host most of EFM’s industry talks and conferences this year.
In addition to the Room of Silence, the EFM will also...
- 1/26/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The Berlinale’s European Film Market was the last major physical market to take place in 2020 as the world began shutting down because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The virus would force the event online in 2021 and 2022. The EFM’s traditional home of the Gropius Bau looked strangely empty last February, playing host to an exhibition by South African artist Zanele Muholi, as the event unfolded online alongside a scaled-down physical festival.
Its vast atrium and halls are set to be packed with hundreds of stands and thousands of professionals once again this year for EFM’s 2023 edition, running February 16-22.
Both the Gropius Bau and the market’s other key exhibition space of the Marriott Hotel are already fully booked.
“The good news for us is that we are completely at the same level in terms of accreditations as we were at this time of the year in 2020. This means...
The virus would force the event online in 2021 and 2022. The EFM’s traditional home of the Gropius Bau looked strangely empty last February, playing host to an exhibition by South African artist Zanele Muholi, as the event unfolded online alongside a scaled-down physical festival.
Its vast atrium and halls are set to be packed with hundreds of stands and thousands of professionals once again this year for EFM’s 2023 edition, running February 16-22.
Both the Gropius Bau and the market’s other key exhibition space of the Marriott Hotel are already fully booked.
“The good news for us is that we are completely at the same level in terms of accreditations as we were at this time of the year in 2020. This means...
- 1/26/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Accreditation is tracking record set in 2020, with Asian executives returning to the market this year.
The Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM) returns next month as an in-person event for the first time in three years – and it seems like a good number of buyers and sellers are going to be there.
The EFM, which takes place from February 16 to 22, has so far registered 7,182 market participants, including 1,165 buyers, according to EFM director Dennis Ruh, who says these are similar numbers to those recorded at this stage in 2020. The EFM last took place in-person in February 2020 – just before Covid-19 lockdowns were...
The Berlinale’s European Film Market (EFM) returns next month as an in-person event for the first time in three years – and it seems like a good number of buyers and sellers are going to be there.
The EFM, which takes place from February 16 to 22, has so far registered 7,182 market participants, including 1,165 buyers, according to EFM director Dennis Ruh, who says these are similar numbers to those recorded at this stage in 2020. The EFM last took place in-person in February 2020 – just before Covid-19 lockdowns were...
- 1/25/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Selected films include Tina Satter’s ‘Reality’ with Sydney Sweeney in Panorama.
The Berlinale has revealed the first films that will play in its 2023 edition, announcing 14 features for the Panorama strand and nine for the youth-focused Generation section; plus a full move to Potsdamer Platz for the European Film Market, returning as a physical event for the first time since 2020.
The 14 Panorama titles include Reality, the feature debut of US filmmaker Tina Satter, which depicts a young woman confronted at home by the FBI, which leads her life to unravel. The film stars Sydney Sweeney, known for her roles in TV hits Euphoria,...
The Berlinale has revealed the first films that will play in its 2023 edition, announcing 14 features for the Panorama strand and nine for the youth-focused Generation section; plus a full move to Potsdamer Platz for the European Film Market, returning as a physical event for the first time since 2020.
The 14 Panorama titles include Reality, the feature debut of US filmmaker Tina Satter, which depicts a young woman confronted at home by the FBI, which leads her life to unravel. The film stars Sydney Sweeney, known for her roles in TV hits Euphoria,...
- 12/15/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Further winners include ‘Gaspar’ from Indonesia and ‘Sima’s Song’ from Afghan director Roya Sadat.
Myanmar project Future Laobans, directed by Maung Sun and produced by jailed filmmaker Ma Aeint, won the Busan Award at the Asian Project Market today (October 11).
The project picked up the 15,000 cash prize in Busan. Currently in script development, Future Laobans is about three young scavengers in Myanmar who smuggle a jade stone across the border with dreams of becoming millionaires.
Filmmaker Ma Aeint was jailed in Myanmar in April on charges of anti-junta activity and is serving a three-year sentence. She was mentioned as...
Myanmar project Future Laobans, directed by Maung Sun and produced by jailed filmmaker Ma Aeint, won the Busan Award at the Asian Project Market today (October 11).
The project picked up the 15,000 cash prize in Busan. Currently in script development, Future Laobans is about three young scavengers in Myanmar who smuggle a jade stone across the border with dreams of becoming millionaires.
Filmmaker Ma Aeint was jailed in Myanmar in April on charges of anti-junta activity and is serving a three-year sentence. She was mentioned as...
- 10/11/2022
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
Festival to close with Pjer Zalica’s ‘May Labor Day’.
New film projects from Bulgarian filmmaker Stephan Komandarev and Renen Schorr, the former head of Jerusalem’s Sam Spiegel School for Film and Television, are among the 12 features selected for Sarajevo’s CineLink Work In Progress section.
The festival has also programmed the world premiere of Bosnian-Herzegovinian director Pjer Zalica’s May Labor Day as its closing film, on August 19.
Scroll down for the full list of projects
The Work In Progress strand consists of 10 fiction and two documentary projects, which will be presented to industry professionals including funders, sales agents,...
New film projects from Bulgarian filmmaker Stephan Komandarev and Renen Schorr, the former head of Jerusalem’s Sam Spiegel School for Film and Television, are among the 12 features selected for Sarajevo’s CineLink Work In Progress section.
The festival has also programmed the world premiere of Bosnian-Herzegovinian director Pjer Zalica’s May Labor Day as its closing film, on August 19.
Scroll down for the full list of projects
The Work In Progress strand consists of 10 fiction and two documentary projects, which will be presented to industry professionals including funders, sales agents,...
- 7/29/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Karlovy Vary Film Festival’s industry section Eastern Promises wrapped Tuesday, with Yemeni abortion drama “The Burdened” winning the top prize in the Works in Progress section. This followed a presentation of the projects on Monday, where a diverse lineup was on show.
Ten projects, in late stages of production or post-production, vied for the post-production service package and two cash awards of €5,000, given out by jurors Dennis Ruh, director of European Film Market, Beta Cinema’s Cosima Finkbeiner, Trt Cinema’s Esra Demirkiran, sound designer Michaela Patríková, and Ewa Puszczyńska, one of the producers of Oscar winner “Ida,” and also behind Karlovy Vary festival title “Fools.”
“I want to welcome you all after talking to you online for two years. Which was fun for us, but I am not sure how fun it was for you,” noted industry head Hugo Rosák, kickstarting the presentations, which included the likes of Poland’s “Elephant,...
Ten projects, in late stages of production or post-production, vied for the post-production service package and two cash awards of €5,000, given out by jurors Dennis Ruh, director of European Film Market, Beta Cinema’s Cosima Finkbeiner, Trt Cinema’s Esra Demirkiran, sound designer Michaela Patríková, and Ewa Puszczyńska, one of the producers of Oscar winner “Ida,” and also behind Karlovy Vary festival title “Fools.”
“I want to welcome you all after talking to you online for two years. Which was fun for us, but I am not sure how fun it was for you,” noted industry head Hugo Rosák, kickstarting the presentations, which included the likes of Poland’s “Elephant,...
- 7/8/2022
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Yemeni film “The Burdened,” directed by Amr Gamal, won the Works in Progress Post-Production Development Award in Eastern Promises, the industry section of the Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival on Tuesday.
The story, written by Gamal and Mazen Refaat, centers on Ahmed, Isra’a and their three children in Aden, Yemen in 2019. Both parents lose their jobs and suffer from the economic crisis. The movie starts with Isra’a finding out about her pregnancy at a time when they cannot cover the expenses of a new child, leading them to make difficult decisions in order to survive.
The jury said it was “impressed by the director’s brave approach to tackling this sensitive subject against all odds.”
The Yemen-Sudan coproduction is produced by Mohsen Alkhalifi, Gamal, Amjad Abu Alala and Mohammed Alomda.
The Works in Progress Karlovy Vary Iff Award went to “Endless Summer Syndrome,” directed by Kaveh Daneshmand, an...
The story, written by Gamal and Mazen Refaat, centers on Ahmed, Isra’a and their three children in Aden, Yemen in 2019. Both parents lose their jobs and suffer from the economic crisis. The movie starts with Isra’a finding out about her pregnancy at a time when they cannot cover the expenses of a new child, leading them to make difficult decisions in order to survive.
The jury said it was “impressed by the director’s brave approach to tackling this sensitive subject against all odds.”
The Yemen-Sudan coproduction is produced by Mohsen Alkhalifi, Gamal, Amjad Abu Alala and Mohammed Alomda.
The Works in Progress Karlovy Vary Iff Award went to “Endless Summer Syndrome,” directed by Kaveh Daneshmand, an...
- 7/5/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival’s industry section, Eastern Promises, has unveiled its lineup of 35 film projects, which will be showcased during the Works in Progress, Works in Development – Feature Launch, First Cut+ Works in Progress and Odesa International Film Festival Works in Progress presentations. The most promising projects will receive awards totaling Euros 125,000.
The showcasing of projects to industry professionals will take place in Karlovy Vary during Kviff Industry Days. On July 4, are Works in Progress and Works in Development – Feature Launch; on July 5, First Cut+ Works in Progress and Oiff WiP Selection.
For Works in Progress, 10 fiction and documentary feature films in the late stage of production or post-production from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and North Africa have been selected. The prize will be decided by jury members Dennis Ruh (European Film Market), Óscar Alonzo (Latido Films...
The showcasing of projects to industry professionals will take place in Karlovy Vary during Kviff Industry Days. On July 4, are Works in Progress and Works in Development – Feature Launch; on July 5, First Cut+ Works in Progress and Oiff WiP Selection.
For Works in Progress, 10 fiction and documentary feature films in the late stage of production or post-production from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and North Africa have been selected. The prize will be decided by jury members Dennis Ruh (European Film Market), Óscar Alonzo (Latido Films...
- 6/13/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
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