Chinese writer and director Jing Zou’s feature film project A Girl Unknown has won the top prize at the Next Step initiative of Cannes Critics’ Week, aimed at supporting filmmakers as they make the move from short films to their first feature.
Inspired by the true phenomenon of generations of girls who were abandoned in China as a result of the country’s one-child policy, A Girl Unknown depicts a young Chinese woman from the age of six through to her thirties, living in three different families.
It is billed as an intimate coming-of-age story that explores existential pain, self-discovery, and how one learns to love. The film is produced by Wang Yang at Paris-based Memoria Films, which works between France and China.
Born in 1984, Zou is a Chinese director and writer based out of Shanghai and Los Angeles. She comes from a literature background, but she found her...
Inspired by the true phenomenon of generations of girls who were abandoned in China as a result of the country’s one-child policy, A Girl Unknown depicts a young Chinese woman from the age of six through to her thirties, living in three different families.
It is billed as an intimate coming-of-age story that explores existential pain, self-discovery, and how one learns to love. The film is produced by Wang Yang at Paris-based Memoria Films, which works between France and China.
Born in 1984, Zou is a Chinese director and writer based out of Shanghai and Los Angeles. She comes from a literature background, but she found her...
- 5/22/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
First Look, the works-in-progress initiative of Locarno Pro, will focus on Spanish cinema for its upcoming edition which runs August 9-11 during the Locarno Film Festival.
First Look will select six films from Spain that are currently in post-production in partnership with the Spanish Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (Icaa) and Icex Spain Trade & Investment.
The projects will be presented by their producers during Locarno Pro to industry professionals such as sales agents, buyers, festival programmers, and representatives from post-production funds.
In past editions, First Look has focused on international arthouse productions from the UK, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil,...
First Look will select six films from Spain that are currently in post-production in partnership with the Spanish Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (Icaa) and Icex Spain Trade & Investment.
The projects will be presented by their producers during Locarno Pro to industry professionals such as sales agents, buyers, festival programmers, and representatives from post-production funds.
In past editions, First Look has focused on international arthouse productions from the UK, Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil,...
- 2/16/2024
- ScreenDaily
It was a good day for female filmmakers – and documentaries – at Locarno Pro, with “Mother Vera” by Cécile Embleton and Alys Tomlinson winning the Creativity Media First Look Award on Sunday at Locarno’s pix-in-post competition, dedicated this year to the U.K.
Dedicated to a young Orthodox nun, “Mother Vera” shows her turbulent past and fragile future as she faces inner conflict after 20 years as a monastic.
“From the opening moments of this film, we were immediately drawn to the strikingly photographed stark portrait of a fascinating nun in Belarus who makes a journey to France,” said jurors Ava Cahen, Gaia Furrer and Eugene Hernandez.
The award covers post production services up to the value of €50,000. Laura Shacham produces “Mother Vera” for She Makes Productions.
“About six years ago, they were working together on Alice’s photographic project documenting Christian pilgrimage sites in Eastern Europe. They saw this striking woman,...
Dedicated to a young Orthodox nun, “Mother Vera” shows her turbulent past and fragile future as she faces inner conflict after 20 years as a monastic.
“From the opening moments of this film, we were immediately drawn to the strikingly photographed stark portrait of a fascinating nun in Belarus who makes a journey to France,” said jurors Ava Cahen, Gaia Furrer and Eugene Hernandez.
The award covers post production services up to the value of €50,000. Laura Shacham produces “Mother Vera” for She Makes Productions.
“About six years ago, they were working together on Alice’s photographic project documenting Christian pilgrimage sites in Eastern Europe. They saw this striking woman,...
- 8/6/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Alliance 4 Development – a co-development initiative for film projects from Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland hosted by Locarno Pro – is ready to embrace a “variety of genres, themes and visions,” says project manager Francesca Palleschi.
Among 11 titles selected for its 8th edition, emerging filmmakers will be featured alongside their more established colleagues.
“We are proud to support these projects along the path of their development, including several debuts and more than half helmed by female directors,” she adds.
That said, Alliance 4 Development, part of Locarno Pro, headed by Markus Duffner (pictured) features most of the bigger projects being brought to market at Locarno, some bigger-budgeted by European standards.
Ann Oren will bring her unique point of view to “Objet a,” about a couple that, she states, “falls out of sync,” and starts following a mysterious woman with “unusually wild armpit hair.”
“They enter a surreal dialogue with nature, which turns...
Among 11 titles selected for its 8th edition, emerging filmmakers will be featured alongside their more established colleagues.
“We are proud to support these projects along the path of their development, including several debuts and more than half helmed by female directors,” she adds.
That said, Alliance 4 Development, part of Locarno Pro, headed by Markus Duffner (pictured) features most of the bigger projects being brought to market at Locarno, some bigger-budgeted by European standards.
Ann Oren will bring her unique point of view to “Objet a,” about a couple that, she states, “falls out of sync,” and starts following a mysterious woman with “unusually wild armpit hair.”
“They enter a surreal dialogue with nature, which turns...
- 8/4/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Six U.K. works-in-progress have been selected for the 12th edition of Locarno’s First Look, an international launchpad for films in post-production taking place during Locarno Pro Days.
Since its introduction in 2012, First Look has already focused on Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Israel, Poland, the Baltic Countries, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland and Germany
This year, the late Mike Hodges – known for “Get Carter” or “Flash Gordon” – will be celebrated in “All at Sea,” produced by Hurricane Films, a semi-autobiographical documentary depicting his life. The film was directed, written and narrated by Hodges himself.
“We have been working with Mike on this feature documentary over the past three, four years. We lost him in December, but luckily, we have a director’s cut and an even more pressing need to make sure his final film sees the light of the big screen,” says Solon Papadopoulos.
“Mike was a humble visionary and a delight to work with.
Since its introduction in 2012, First Look has already focused on Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Israel, Poland, the Baltic Countries, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland and Germany
This year, the late Mike Hodges – known for “Get Carter” or “Flash Gordon” – will be celebrated in “All at Sea,” produced by Hurricane Films, a semi-autobiographical documentary depicting his life. The film was directed, written and narrated by Hodges himself.
“We have been working with Mike on this feature documentary over the past three, four years. We lost him in December, but luckily, we have a director’s cut and an even more pressing need to make sure his final film sees the light of the big screen,” says Solon Papadopoulos.
“Mike was a humble visionary and a delight to work with.
- 7/26/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Locarno, Thessaloniki, Tallinn, IFFR and Karlovy Vary are collaborating on the initiative.
Locarno, Thessaloniki, Tallinn Black Nights, Rotterdam and Karlovy Vary film festivals have joined forces on Launchpad, a new network for selected film professionals giving access to the industry programmes at each event.
Each festival, industry platform or market participating in the network will select a maximum of 10 emerging professionals per year through a public applications call. The 10 participants will have automatic access to all partner events at each festival for the following 12 months, and will receive free industry accreditation for either on-site or online.
Scroll down for the...
Locarno, Thessaloniki, Tallinn Black Nights, Rotterdam and Karlovy Vary film festivals have joined forces on Launchpad, a new network for selected film professionals giving access to the industry programmes at each event.
Each festival, industry platform or market participating in the network will select a maximum of 10 emerging professionals per year through a public applications call. The 10 participants will have automatic access to all partner events at each festival for the following 12 months, and will receive free industry accreditation for either on-site or online.
Scroll down for the...
- 7/11/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The Locarno Film Festival, Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Rotterdam”s IFFR and the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival have joined forces in a new initiative called Launchpad which aims to nurture budding film professionals.
The basic purpose of Launchpad is to facilitate the formative process of selected emerging film professionals working in international sales, marketing, traditional and online distribution, exhibition and programming, and funds and commissions. The idea is to give them facilitated access to a network of European film festivals spread throughout the yearly calendar.
Through Launchpad, these prominent partner fests “will offer participants the chance to discover important industry events either online or on-site, be part of key industry activities and further expand their international network,” they said in a statement.
Each festival, industry platform, or market within the Launchpad network will be selecting a maximum of 10 emerging film professionals through a public call for applications.
The basic purpose of Launchpad is to facilitate the formative process of selected emerging film professionals working in international sales, marketing, traditional and online distribution, exhibition and programming, and funds and commissions. The idea is to give them facilitated access to a network of European film festivals spread throughout the yearly calendar.
Through Launchpad, these prominent partner fests “will offer participants the chance to discover important industry events either online or on-site, be part of key industry activities and further expand their international network,” they said in a statement.
Each festival, industry platform, or market within the Launchpad network will be selecting a maximum of 10 emerging film professionals through a public call for applications.
- 7/11/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
A collection of European festivals including Locarno, Thessaloniki, Tallinn Black Nights, Rotterdam, and Karlovy Vary, have partnered to create a new network aimed at integrating film professionals.
Titled Launchpad, the network will offer selected emerging film professionals working in international sales, marketing, traditional and online distribution, exhibition and programming, funds, and commissions access to a network of film festivals in the yearly calendar.
The platform will allow participants to discover industry events either online or on-site, and be part of key industry activities. Each festival, industry platform, or market in the Launchpad network will select a maximum of 10 emerging film professionals through a public call for applications.
All the selected participants will be granted automatic access to all partner events for 12 months after their selection. Participants will also receive a free industry accreditation — either on-site or online – and those able to attend the events physically will be offered a tailor-made...
Titled Launchpad, the network will offer selected emerging film professionals working in international sales, marketing, traditional and online distribution, exhibition and programming, funds, and commissions access to a network of film festivals in the yearly calendar.
The platform will allow participants to discover industry events either online or on-site, and be part of key industry activities. Each festival, industry platform, or market in the Launchpad network will select a maximum of 10 emerging film professionals through a public call for applications.
All the selected participants will be granted automatic access to all partner events for 12 months after their selection. Participants will also receive a free industry accreditation — either on-site or online – and those able to attend the events physically will be offered a tailor-made...
- 7/11/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
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
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
The Locarno Film Festival is launching a first-of-its-kind contest, offering a free complete restoration service to a selected vintage cinema classic.
The contest is part of The Swiss fest’s Heritage Online program that was launched in 2021 when its Locarno Pro industry side branched out into vintage cinema creating a platform that serves as a database of film titles that premiered prior to 2005.
The goal of the fest dedicated to indie cinema is to play an active role in restoring older films to their former glory and also to become a business facilitator between rights holders and classic film distributors, streaming platforms and other outlets.
Locarno’s new Heritage Online Contest is open to feature films from all over the world that premiered no later than 2009. Applicants must prove they are the rightful owners of the submitted works in need of either partial or complete restoration. Applications will be open...
The contest is part of The Swiss fest’s Heritage Online program that was launched in 2021 when its Locarno Pro industry side branched out into vintage cinema creating a platform that serves as a database of film titles that premiered prior to 2005.
The goal of the fest dedicated to indie cinema is to play an active role in restoring older films to their former glory and also to become a business facilitator between rights holders and classic film distributors, streaming platforms and other outlets.
Locarno’s new Heritage Online Contest is open to feature films from all over the world that premiered no later than 2009. Applicants must prove they are the rightful owners of the submitted works in need of either partial or complete restoration. Applications will be open...
- 3/8/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Following a vibrant 2022 edition in a three-year cycle dedicated to Latin America and the Caribbean which she oversaw in an interim capacity, Zsuzsi Bánkuti has been appointed the new head of Locarno’s Open Doors.
She replaces long-time Open Doors chief Sophie Bourdon, who stepped down earlier this year.
The key to this year’s Open Doors was its inspired choice of a focus on smaller territories in Latin America which are often home to first-class directors – one director this year, Dominican Yanillys Pérez scooped a Discovery Award at the Toronto Festival with her doc-feature “Jeffrey,” for example – but, apart from the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica, lack robust state subsidy systems enabling producers to produce movies easily out of their own countries.
The obvious solution is international co-production. Tailor-made to advance this, Open Doors offers producers and directors networking opportunities and targeted training as well as a showcase for...
She replaces long-time Open Doors chief Sophie Bourdon, who stepped down earlier this year.
The key to this year’s Open Doors was its inspired choice of a focus on smaller territories in Latin America which are often home to first-class directors – one director this year, Dominican Yanillys Pérez scooped a Discovery Award at the Toronto Festival with her doc-feature “Jeffrey,” for example – but, apart from the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica, lack robust state subsidy systems enabling producers to produce movies easily out of their own countries.
The obvious solution is international co-production. Tailor-made to advance this, Open Doors offers producers and directors networking opportunities and targeted training as well as a showcase for...
- 8/13/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
In its first full-on post-pandemic edition, Locarno roared back into action as an industry hub over Aug. 3-9, smashing attendance records with delegates at industry arm Locarno Pro soaring from 2019’s prior record of 1,040 to 1,300.
That reflects the year-round work of festival artistic director Giona Nazzaro and industry head Markus Duffner at Locarno Pro, building on foundations laid by Nadia Dresti over 2010-19. Sky rocketing attendance also says much about the state of the international film industry as it is is rocked by titanic sea change propelled by global, regional and local streaming platforms. Following, 10 takes on Locarno as its turns its final bend towards Aug. 13’s awards announcement.
Latest Deals
A score or more of new deals announced since Sunday in exclusivity to Variety:
*Germany’s Pluto Film has been in negotiations with several theatrical distributors on Locarno Piazza Grande title “Semret,” ahead of its world premiere on Aug.
That reflects the year-round work of festival artistic director Giona Nazzaro and industry head Markus Duffner at Locarno Pro, building on foundations laid by Nadia Dresti over 2010-19. Sky rocketing attendance also says much about the state of the international film industry as it is is rocked by titanic sea change propelled by global, regional and local streaming platforms. Following, 10 takes on Locarno as its turns its final bend towards Aug. 13’s awards announcement.
Latest Deals
A score or more of new deals announced since Sunday in exclusivity to Variety:
*Germany’s Pluto Film has been in negotiations with several theatrical distributors on Locarno Piazza Grande title “Semret,” ahead of its world premiere on Aug.
- 8/10/2022
- by John Hopewell, Marta Balaga and Pablo Sandoval
- Variety Film + TV
There’s a new giant in town, or at least at Locarno’s Match Me!, one of the festival’s biggest industry initiatives.
For years, by a large head, France has had more titles at the Locarno Festival’s two biggest sections, the Piazza Grande showcase and main International Competition than any other country in the world. 2022 is no exception.
Unifrance also hosts the Festival’s biggest industry bash, a first Friday night sit-down dinner or party which used to take place at Locarno’s hillside Belvedere Hotel and has now moved to the near Maggiore Lake-side Blu Restaurant.
Now, however, Unifrance, Europe’s biggest national film-tv promotion board, has put its weight behind Match Me!, a networking initiative this year bringing together 32 emerging producers from over the world.
“It’s a perfect fit,” said Locarno Pro head Markus Duffner. Unifrance’s first-time presence at Match Me! also says much...
For years, by a large head, France has had more titles at the Locarno Festival’s two biggest sections, the Piazza Grande showcase and main International Competition than any other country in the world. 2022 is no exception.
Unifrance also hosts the Festival’s biggest industry bash, a first Friday night sit-down dinner or party which used to take place at Locarno’s hillside Belvedere Hotel and has now moved to the near Maggiore Lake-side Blu Restaurant.
Now, however, Unifrance, Europe’s biggest national film-tv promotion board, has put its weight behind Match Me!, a networking initiative this year bringing together 32 emerging producers from over the world.
“It’s a perfect fit,” said Locarno Pro head Markus Duffner. Unifrance’s first-time presence at Match Me! also says much...
- 8/5/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
For its 75th edition, Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival, long known as a global indie cinema temple, is looking to the future while repositioning itself as a forward-thinking hub for a wider range of movies, including studio and streamer titles, with broad audience appeal.
“We believe that entertainment can be both serious and fun: I don’t see an opposing scenario where entertainment is only cheap, and seriousness is only extremely highbrow,” says the fest’s artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro.
Now on his second edition at the fest’s helm, the Italian critic is putting his stamp on Locarno with a lineup that, along with straightforward auteur movies of various kinds, increasingly includes comedies and genre films. The fest’s eclectic nature is illustrated by t he choice of the opener, Sony ’s frothy action thriller “Bullet Train,” directed by David Leitch, which Aaron Taylor-Johnson will be tubthumping on Aug.
“We believe that entertainment can be both serious and fun: I don’t see an opposing scenario where entertainment is only cheap, and seriousness is only extremely highbrow,” says the fest’s artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro.
Now on his second edition at the fest’s helm, the Italian critic is putting his stamp on Locarno with a lineup that, along with straightforward auteur movies of various kinds, increasingly includes comedies and genre films. The fest’s eclectic nature is illustrated by t he choice of the opener, Sony ’s frothy action thriller “Bullet Train,” directed by David Leitch, which Aaron Taylor-Johnson will be tubthumping on Aug.
- 7/30/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival’s Locarno Pro initiative dedicated to pics in post is set to look at German films that are in their final stage of production for its upcoming edition.
The fest, located in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, in a statement said that the initiative, now in its tenth edition, will celebrate the up-and-coming cinema of a country that has been “crucial to the history” of the fest. Locarno Pro is now looking closer to home after being a springboard for pics from Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Israel, Poland, the Baltic Countries, Portugal, Serbia and Switzerland itself.
“German filmmakers and producers and the work they have given us has been at the heart of so many memorable editions of the Locarno Film Festival, the fest said in a statement.
Locarno organizers noted that German cinema was the subject of an expansive retro titled “Beloved and Rejected” in...
The fest, located in the Italian-speaking region of Switzerland, in a statement said that the initiative, now in its tenth edition, will celebrate the up-and-coming cinema of a country that has been “crucial to the history” of the fest. Locarno Pro is now looking closer to home after being a springboard for pics from Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Israel, Poland, the Baltic Countries, Portugal, Serbia and Switzerland itself.
“German filmmakers and producers and the work they have given us has been at the heart of so many memorable editions of the Locarno Film Festival, the fest said in a statement.
Locarno organizers noted that German cinema was the subject of an expansive retro titled “Beloved and Rejected” in...
- 2/17/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Swedish director Katarina Launing’s ‘You Can Dance’ named the winner of Screen International ’s best pitch award.
The 2021 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival has named the winners of its Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event awards.
The industry showcase took place as a hybrid of in-person and virtual events, with the winners announced today (November 26) following a week of presentations and networking with around 700 delegates.
Swedish director Katarina Launing’s feature project You Can Dance was named the winner of Screen International’s best pitch award at the Baltic Event Co-Production Market, which guarantees coverage on Screen throughout the project’s lifecycle.
The 2021 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival has named the winners of its Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event awards.
The industry showcase took place as a hybrid of in-person and virtual events, with the winners announced today (November 26) following a week of presentations and networking with around 700 delegates.
Swedish director Katarina Launing’s feature project You Can Dance was named the winner of Screen International’s best pitch award at the Baltic Event Co-Production Market, which guarantees coverage on Screen throughout the project’s lifecycle.
- 11/28/2021
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
In a bid to further expand its international network of young talent to South Asia, Locarno Pro, the industry section of the Locarno Film Festival, has launched an unprecedented partnership between the South Asia – Locarno Industry Academy and Nfdc Film Bazaar.
Aimed at young professionals active in sales, cinema management, traditional or online distribution, and in the programming of festivals, cineclubs and film libraries, the Locarno Industry Academy is a workshop program under the aegis of Locarno Pro.
Nfdc Film Bazaar, launched in 2007, is described by Locarno Pro as South Asia’s largest global film market organized by the National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc), which is aimed at fostering new South Asian content and talent as well as generating sales of world cinema in the South Asian region.
This year, in addition to the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, which runs between September and October, the new South Asian initiative will...
Aimed at young professionals active in sales, cinema management, traditional or online distribution, and in the programming of festivals, cineclubs and film libraries, the Locarno Industry Academy is a workshop program under the aegis of Locarno Pro.
Nfdc Film Bazaar, launched in 2007, is described by Locarno Pro as South Asia’s largest global film market organized by the National Film Development Corporation (Nfdc), which is aimed at fostering new South Asian content and talent as well as generating sales of world cinema in the South Asian region.
This year, in addition to the Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, which runs between September and October, the new South Asian initiative will...
- 8/12/2021
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Tatiana Huezo’s debut fictional film premiered in Un Certain Regard.
Netflix has acquired the US, the majority of European territories and Latin America on Cannes selection Prayers For The Stolen which premiered in Un Certain Regard last month.
The streamer has picked up Tatiana Huezo’s film for most of Europe excluding France, Italy and UK. The title will be unbranded in certain countries.
Prayers For The Stolen marks the first fictional feature from noted Salvadoran-Mexican documentarian Huezo and plays out against the backdrop of cartel violence.
The story centres on the journey into adolescence of three girls who...
Netflix has acquired the US, the majority of European territories and Latin America on Cannes selection Prayers For The Stolen which premiered in Un Certain Regard last month.
The streamer has picked up Tatiana Huezo’s film for most of Europe excluding France, Italy and UK. The title will be unbranded in certain countries.
Prayers For The Stolen marks the first fictional feature from noted Salvadoran-Mexican documentarian Huezo and plays out against the backdrop of cartel violence.
The story centres on the journey into adolescence of three girls who...
- 8/11/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Locarno Film Festival, long known as a safe haven for indie cinema, is taking a turn into genre territory while remaining true to
its origins.
“People know what the mission is for Locarno,” says the fest’s new artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro, referring to the prestige of the event — the 74th edition runs Aug. 4-14 — that is known worldwide as a festival of discovery.
But Nazzaro, an Italian film critic and former chief of the Venice Critics’ Week, now intends “to broaden the moral imagination of this mission,” as he puts it, by digging deeper into genre cinema, and “also into the [festival’s] relationship with the U.S. studios and what people would consider as [pure] entertainment.”
Significantly, this year’s Locarno opener is Netflix Original “Beckett,” a thriller toplining John David Washington as an American tourist who becomes the target of a political assassination while vacationing in Greece, and...
its origins.
“People know what the mission is for Locarno,” says the fest’s new artistic director Giona A. Nazzaro, referring to the prestige of the event — the 74th edition runs Aug. 4-14 — that is known worldwide as a festival of discovery.
But Nazzaro, an Italian film critic and former chief of the Venice Critics’ Week, now intends “to broaden the moral imagination of this mission,” as he puts it, by digging deeper into genre cinema, and “also into the [festival’s] relationship with the U.S. studios and what people would consider as [pure] entertainment.”
Significantly, this year’s Locarno opener is Netflix Original “Beckett,” a thriller toplining John David Washington as an American tourist who becomes the target of a political assassination while vacationing in Greece, and...
- 8/3/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Since being appointed head of the Locarno Film Festival’s Locarno Pro industry program last December, Markus Duffner has been working to pull off what will be a mostly in-person edition of the Swiss fest’s formidable space for international indie industry operators, just as the fest is increasingly embracing streamers. Netflix Original film “Beckett,” by Italian director Ferdinando Cito Filomarino, is the Aug. 4-14 event’s opener this year. Duffner, who had been with Locarno Pro since 2014, prior to taking the reins, last year launched Locarno Pro’s Heritage Online, a first-of-its-kind platform that serves as a database and business facilitator with streaming platforms of films that premiered prior to 2005. He is also founder of VOD platform Spamflix dedicated to cult films. Duffner spoke to Variety about embracing streamers and this year’s challenges. Excerpts.
How is Locarno Pro changing?
Nadia Dresti [Duffner’s predecessor, still on board as a consultant] over the years set up a great...
How is Locarno Pro changing?
Nadia Dresti [Duffner’s predecessor, still on board as a consultant] over the years set up a great...
- 7/12/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival is launching a new industry event focusing on Africa. The Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy, hosted in collaboration with the Realness Institute of Africa, will take place online from 26 September to 2 October 2021 and will welcome 10-12 participants from all over the African continent. The project offers a tailored program featuring masterclasses and meetings with internationally established professionals. The aim is to enhance participants’ understanding of the challenges facing the film industry, while allowing them to expand their personal network of contacts and develop their professional skill set. “The Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy will allow us to introduce our program for young professionals in this region. Participants will be able to connect with Industry Academy alumni in Latin America, the Middle East, the USA and Europe, joining an international network of future industry players,” said Markus Duffner, the new head of Locarno Pro.
Exclusive: Paris-based Reel Suspects...
Exclusive: Paris-based Reel Suspects...
- 4/20/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival’s Industry Academy workshop is extending its global reach to Africa.
The prominent Swiss festival’s formative initiative dedicated to training young professionals working in sales, traditional or online distribution, theatrical exhibition and programming for festivals – which is an intergral part of Locarno’s Locarno Pro industry side – has forged a new partnership with the Realness Institute, the South Africa-based non-profit that promotes cultural understanding, open exchange and intellectual and artistic development of filmmakers on the African continent.
The Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy will offer a tailored program featuring masterclasses and meetings with internationally established professionals. The aim is to enhance participants’ understanding of the challenges facing the film industry, at the same time allowing them to expand their personal network of contacts and develop their professional skill set, Locarno said in a statement.
The program’s first edition will run online from September 26 to October...
The prominent Swiss festival’s formative initiative dedicated to training young professionals working in sales, traditional or online distribution, theatrical exhibition and programming for festivals – which is an intergral part of Locarno’s Locarno Pro industry side – has forged a new partnership with the Realness Institute, the South Africa-based non-profit that promotes cultural understanding, open exchange and intellectual and artistic development of filmmakers on the African continent.
The Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy will offer a tailored program featuring masterclasses and meetings with internationally established professionals. The aim is to enhance participants’ understanding of the challenges facing the film industry, at the same time allowing them to expand their personal network of contacts and develop their professional skill set, Locarno said in a statement.
The program’s first edition will run online from September 26 to October...
- 4/20/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The works-in-progress showcase marks its 10th edition this year.
First Look, the works-in-progress strand of the Locarno Film Festival’s Locarno Pro industry programme, will put the spotlight on films in post-production from Switzerland this August.
Locarno Pro will unfold within the framework of the Locarno Film Festival which is aiming to take place physically from August 4 to 14, after is mainly virtual iteration in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The First Look strand, which has previously spotlighted films from territories such as Brazil, Israel and Poland, marks its 10th edition this year. The focus on upcoming from Switzerland is being...
First Look, the works-in-progress strand of the Locarno Film Festival’s Locarno Pro industry programme, will put the spotlight on films in post-production from Switzerland this August.
Locarno Pro will unfold within the framework of the Locarno Film Festival which is aiming to take place physically from August 4 to 14, after is mainly virtual iteration in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The First Look strand, which has previously spotlighted films from territories such as Brazil, Israel and Poland, marks its 10th edition this year. The focus on upcoming from Switzerland is being...
- 3/22/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
The upcoming Locarno Film Festival’s First Look initiative dedicated to showcasing pix-in-post will focus on films from Switzerland, in a spirit of industry restart emanating from the home territory for the prominent Swiss event dedicated to global indie cinema.
The competitive industry showcase, which is among the biggest attractions for sales agents and distributors at Europe’s largest mid-summer film event, will fly the flag for Swiss cinema worldwide, in partnership with promotional body Swiss Films.
First Look will be selecting a line-up of six titles currently in post, from entries that can be submitted starting today, March 22.
“In order to celebrate the first 10 years of First Look, after exploring a variety of territories from Latin America to Eastern Europe, we felt duty-bound to turn the spotlight back on the film industry at home, offering new Swiss productions a valuable opportunity to gain international visibility,” said Markus Duffner (pictured), head of Locarno Pro,...
The competitive industry showcase, which is among the biggest attractions for sales agents and distributors at Europe’s largest mid-summer film event, will fly the flag for Swiss cinema worldwide, in partnership with promotional body Swiss Films.
First Look will be selecting a line-up of six titles currently in post, from entries that can be submitted starting today, March 22.
“In order to celebrate the first 10 years of First Look, after exploring a variety of territories from Latin America to Eastern Europe, we felt duty-bound to turn the spotlight back on the film industry at home, offering new Swiss productions a valuable opportunity to gain international visibility,” said Markus Duffner (pictured), head of Locarno Pro,...
- 3/22/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Since his appointment as artistic director of the Locarno Film festival in early November, Italian film critic Giona A. Nazzaro has been busy taking the reins of the prominent Swiss festival. Set to take place in August, the event now has a new programming team as well as industry chief — longtime Locarno collaborator Markus Duffner — firmly in place.
Nazzaro, who is the former head of the Venice Film Festival’s Critics’ Week, also found time to write a love letter to Denis Villeneuve posted on the Locarno website in reaction to Villeneuve’s recent column in Variety, in which the director blasted the HBO Max deal for the release of his upcoming “Dune” adaptation that bypasses the theatrical window.
Having made his first moves, Nazzaro spoke exclusively to Variety about his vision for Europe’s longtime pre-eminent indie cinema event, which he intends to lead into “uncharted territory.”
Let’s start with Villeneuve.
Nazzaro, who is the former head of the Venice Film Festival’s Critics’ Week, also found time to write a love letter to Denis Villeneuve posted on the Locarno website in reaction to Villeneuve’s recent column in Variety, in which the director blasted the HBO Max deal for the release of his upcoming “Dune” adaptation that bypasses the theatrical window.
Having made his first moves, Nazzaro spoke exclusively to Variety about his vision for Europe’s longtime pre-eminent indie cinema event, which he intends to lead into “uncharted territory.”
Let’s start with Villeneuve.
- 1/4/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival has named Markus Duffner as the new head of its industry program Locarno Pro. He will be joined by Sophie Bourdon as deputy head.
Nadia Dresti, the long-time overseer of Locarno Pro and recently interim director of the festival after the abrupt departure of Lili Hinstin in September, will continue to work with the fest as International Advisor. In November, Locarno named Giona A. Nazzaro as its new artistic director.
Duffner has been a regular collaborator with Locarno over the years, and has also worked with the Monte-Carlo Film Festival de la Comédie and the Voices Festival in Vologda, Russia. He is a founder member of VOD service Spamflix and is project manager of the platform Heritage Online, devoted to digital distribution of classic and auteur movies.
The 74th edition of Locarno Film Festival will run August 4-14, with Locarno Pro running August 5-10.
Nadia Dresti, the long-time overseer of Locarno Pro and recently interim director of the festival after the abrupt departure of Lili Hinstin in September, will continue to work with the fest as International Advisor. In November, Locarno named Giona A. Nazzaro as its new artistic director.
Duffner has been a regular collaborator with Locarno over the years, and has also worked with the Monte-Carlo Film Festival de la Comédie and the Voices Festival in Vologda, Russia. He is a founder member of VOD service Spamflix and is project manager of the platform Heritage Online, devoted to digital distribution of classic and auteur movies.
The 74th edition of Locarno Film Festival will run August 4-14, with Locarno Pro running August 5-10.
- 12/21/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
2021 edition of Locarno Pro is scheduled to run August 5-10.
The Locarno Film industry has named long-time collaborator Markus Duffner as the new head of its industry programme Locarno Pro, with effect from January 2021.
He replaces Paris-based producer Valentina Merli who held the position for one year but has left to return to producing.
Duffner will be supported by Sophie Bourdon, who takes on the position of deputy head of Locarno Pro alongside her long-time role as head of Open Doors, the festival’s programme aimed at nurturing cinema from the global south and east.
Nadia Dresti, who initially spearheaded...
The Locarno Film industry has named long-time collaborator Markus Duffner as the new head of its industry programme Locarno Pro, with effect from January 2021.
He replaces Paris-based producer Valentina Merli who held the position for one year but has left to return to producing.
Duffner will be supported by Sophie Bourdon, who takes on the position of deputy head of Locarno Pro alongside her long-time role as head of Open Doors, the festival’s programme aimed at nurturing cinema from the global south and east.
Nadia Dresti, who initially spearheaded...
- 12/21/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
The Locarno Film Festival has appointed longtime collaborator Markus Duffner as the head of its Locarno Pro industry program.
Duffner, who will take the Locarno Pro helm in January, is replacing Paris-based sales exec Valentina Merli, who after being appointed to the post roughly a year ago quietly stepped down following this year’s virtual edition in August.
As head of Locarno Pro, Duffner will work closely with Sophie Bourdon, Locarno Pro deputy chief who also heads its Open Doors co-production forum, dedicated to nurturing cinema in areas where filmmaking is especially tough.
Nadia Dresti, who has been with Locarno intermittently for roughly 30 years — and built its market side into a unique and formidable space for international quality cinema industry operators — will continue in her role as its international advisor. Dresti in January of this year stepped down as Locarno Pro chief and, at that time, handed the reins over to Merli,...
Duffner, who will take the Locarno Pro helm in January, is replacing Paris-based sales exec Valentina Merli, who after being appointed to the post roughly a year ago quietly stepped down following this year’s virtual edition in August.
As head of Locarno Pro, Duffner will work closely with Sophie Bourdon, Locarno Pro deputy chief who also heads its Open Doors co-production forum, dedicated to nurturing cinema in areas where filmmaking is especially tough.
Nadia Dresti, who has been with Locarno intermittently for roughly 30 years — and built its market side into a unique and formidable space for international quality cinema industry operators — will continue in her role as its international advisor. Dresti in January of this year stepped down as Locarno Pro chief and, at that time, handed the reins over to Merli,...
- 12/21/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival has named Markus Duffner the new head of its industry section Locarno Pro, effective as of January 1, 2021.
Duffner, who has worked with Locarno Pro since 2014 on its First Look and Match Me! projects, has been at the forefront of digital innovation at the festival. This year, as project manager, he launched Heritage Online, Locarno’s VOD platform for the art-house industry, which allows rights holders to upload their back catalogs and negotiate deals with VOD platforms worldwide. Duffner is also a co-founder of Spamflix, a cult-film streaming platform that launched in 2018.
Locarno, like many ...
Duffner, who has worked with Locarno Pro since 2014 on its First Look and Match Me! projects, has been at the forefront of digital innovation at the festival. This year, as project manager, he launched Heritage Online, Locarno’s VOD platform for the art-house industry, which allows rights holders to upload their back catalogs and negotiate deals with VOD platforms worldwide. Duffner is also a co-founder of Spamflix, a cult-film streaming platform that launched in 2018.
Locarno, like many ...
- 12/21/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Locarno Film Festival has named Markus Duffner the new head of its industry section Locarno Pro, effective as of January 1, 2021.
Duffner, who has worked with Locarno Pro since 2014 on its First Look and Match Me! projects, has been at the forefront of digital innovation at the festival. This year, as project manager, he launched Heritage Online, Locarno’s VOD platform for the art-house industry, which allows rights holders to upload their back catalogs and negotiate deals with VOD platforms worldwide. Duffner is also a co-founder of Spamflix, a cult-film streaming platform that launched in 2018.
Locarno, like many ...
Duffner, who has worked with Locarno Pro since 2014 on its First Look and Match Me! projects, has been at the forefront of digital innovation at the festival. This year, as project manager, he launched Heritage Online, Locarno’s VOD platform for the art-house industry, which allows rights holders to upload their back catalogs and negotiate deals with VOD platforms worldwide. Duffner is also a co-founder of Spamflix, a cult-film streaming platform that launched in 2018.
Locarno, like many ...
- 12/21/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Big Hit, Ladies of Steel and Advantages of Travelling by Train will vie for the European Comedy award. The European Film Awards has announced the nominations for the 2020 European Comedy category. The nominations were determined by a committee comprised of Efa Board Members Katriel Schory (Israel) and Angela Bosch Ríus (Spain), director-screenwriter Paddy Breathnach (Ireland), festival programmer Markus Duffner (Germany/Italy) and distributor-festival programmer Selma Mehadzic (Croatia). The nominated films are: European ComedyThe Big Hit - Emmanuel Courcol (France)Ladies of Steel - Pamela Tola (Finland)Advantages of Travelling by Train - Aritz Moreno (Spain) The nominated films will now be made available to the more than 3,800 Efa Members to elect the winner. The European Comedy 2020 will then be presented at the 33rd European Film Awards in December.
- 10/27/2020
- Cineuropa - The Best of European Cinema
“Traveller,” the first major screen credit of “The Crying Games’” Neil Jordan, Canadian Denis Coté’s debut feature “Drifting States” and Arturo Ripstein’s “The Place Without Limits,” a 1977 Mexican LGBTQ movie, are three titles featured in the inaugural lineup of the Locarno Film Festival’s Heritage Online section.
Another, 1954 Egyptian transgender comedy “Miss Hanafi,” underscores the wealth of discoveries offered by Heritage Online, a digital database and screening room collating details of classic film catalogs from all over the world, facilitating the work of buyers, especially VOD platforms in search of rights holders to heritage titles.
Heritage Online fully launches on Saturday with the distribution to its subscribers of a newsletter in which companies detail their offer on the website, plus a panel on heritage film distribution.
Aimed at “establishing a loop between the heritage industry and streaming platforms” by clarifying rights ownership, the site launches with film-by-film details...
Another, 1954 Egyptian transgender comedy “Miss Hanafi,” underscores the wealth of discoveries offered by Heritage Online, a digital database and screening room collating details of classic film catalogs from all over the world, facilitating the work of buyers, especially VOD platforms in search of rights holders to heritage titles.
Heritage Online fully launches on Saturday with the distribution to its subscribers of a newsletter in which companies detail their offer on the website, plus a panel on heritage film distribution.
Aimed at “establishing a loop between the heritage industry and streaming platforms” by clarifying rights ownership, the site launches with film-by-film details...
- 8/8/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival’s Locarno Pro industry side is trying to rise to the challenge faced by many festivals that have been forced to cancel their physical editions.
“The one thing I wanted to avoid was doing something just for the sake of doing something,” says Valentina Merli, who became head of Locarno Pro in January.
Not long after her appointment Merli found herself navigating the coronavirus crisis and did her best to figure out how to temporarily reconfigure the formidable informal indie industry space built by her predecessor Nadia Dresti — who remains on board as a consultant — for an edition that’s been cancelled as a physical gathering, but is going forward as a digital event.
Related Content Locarno Film Festival Puts on Digital Showcase
Given the humanist philosophy behind Locarno Pro, which is almost like a Swiss summer camp and the antithesis of the frenzied Cannes Marché du Film,...
“The one thing I wanted to avoid was doing something just for the sake of doing something,” says Valentina Merli, who became head of Locarno Pro in January.
Not long after her appointment Merli found herself navigating the coronavirus crisis and did her best to figure out how to temporarily reconfigure the formidable informal indie industry space built by her predecessor Nadia Dresti — who remains on board as a consultant — for an edition that’s been cancelled as a physical gathering, but is going forward as a digital event.
Related Content Locarno Film Festival Puts on Digital Showcase
Given the humanist philosophy behind Locarno Pro, which is almost like a Swiss summer camp and the antithesis of the frenzied Cannes Marché du Film,...
- 8/3/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The Locarno Film Festival, which is Europe’s preeminent event dedicated to indie cinema, is moving into the vintage cinema space, just as streamers are snapping up library titles in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Swiss fest’s Locarno Pro industry component is launching Heritage Online, a first-of-its-kind platform that will serve as a database of film titles that premiered prior to 2005. The idea is to become a business facilitator between rights holders and streaming platforms.
The platform will be open to private and public archives and institutions, besides sales companies and producers and will feature a virtual screening room.
“It’s a necessary tool for professionals that fills a gap in the market at a time when there is more demand for this type of product and not enough information about it,” says Heritage Online project manager Markus Duffner.
Each company on the platform will have the...
The Swiss fest’s Locarno Pro industry component is launching Heritage Online, a first-of-its-kind platform that will serve as a database of film titles that premiered prior to 2005. The idea is to become a business facilitator between rights holders and streaming platforms.
The platform will be open to private and public archives and institutions, besides sales companies and producers and will feature a virtual screening room.
“It’s a necessary tool for professionals that fills a gap in the market at a time when there is more demand for this type of product and not enough information about it,” says Heritage Online project manager Markus Duffner.
Each company on the platform will have the...
- 5/28/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The initiative aims to connect library rightsholders with digital platforms.
Locarno Pro, the industry component of the Locarno Film Festival, is gearing up to launch a new digital market platform aimed at supporting the distribution of library titles, called Heritage Online.
It is one of the first 2020 initiatives announced by Locarno Pro since its parent festival took the decision in April to cancel its 73rd edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic and run instead a special programme called Locarno 2020 – For the Future of Films.
The aim of the Heritage Online platform is to connect library titles rightsholders, from sales agents to institutional archives,...
Locarno Pro, the industry component of the Locarno Film Festival, is gearing up to launch a new digital market platform aimed at supporting the distribution of library titles, called Heritage Online.
It is one of the first 2020 initiatives announced by Locarno Pro since its parent festival took the decision in April to cancel its 73rd edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic and run instead a special programme called Locarno 2020 – For the Future of Films.
The aim of the Heritage Online platform is to connect library titles rightsholders, from sales agents to institutional archives,...
- 5/28/2020
- by 1100388¦Melanie Goodfellow¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
The cult film VOD platform Spamflix has launched a new worldwide app, available now for mobile and smart TV compatible. Via the app users can browse, rent and stream from the full catalog, which includes a wide range of feature and short films from around the globe.
Visit spamflix.com/app.do for more information, or available directly on Google Play and the Apple Store.
Spamflix was founded in 2018 by Markus Duffner, a project manager at the Locarno Film Festival and Julia Duarte, former producer of São Paulo International Film Festival. Called ‘Netflix for Cult Film Fans’ by Geek Spin the bulk of Spamflix’s library consists of hard to find and lesser-seen genre titles, many of which garnered acclaim on the festival circuit only to land without significant distribution.
A treasure trove for cult film enthusiasts that has a specialty focus on black comedy and adult animation, the new...
Visit spamflix.com/app.do for more information, or available directly on Google Play and the Apple Store.
Spamflix was founded in 2018 by Markus Duffner, a project manager at the Locarno Film Festival and Julia Duarte, former producer of São Paulo International Film Festival. Called ‘Netflix for Cult Film Fans’ by Geek Spin the bulk of Spamflix’s library consists of hard to find and lesser-seen genre titles, many of which garnered acclaim on the festival circuit only to land without significant distribution.
A treasure trove for cult film enthusiasts that has a specialty focus on black comedy and adult animation, the new...
- 5/14/2020
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Documentaries Telenovela Greyscale in Color and Resisting Landscapes were also awarded at the work-in-progress section that this year was dedicated to Serbian cinema. Celts, directed by Milica Tomović, has emerged as the big winner at the ninth edition of First Look, one of Locarno Pro’s best-established initiatives. Running for three days (9-11 August), this year, First Look showcased six films from Serbia that are currently in post-production and were presented by their producers and directors to sales agents, programmers and industry professionals. Supported by the Film Center Serbia, the project was managed by Markus Duffner. The awards were announced on Sunday afternoon by the international jury, comprising the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival’s artistic director Tiina Lokk, the Torino Film Festival’s artistic director, Emanuela Martini, and Berlinale’s programmer, Lorenzo Esposito. The jury awarded the debut feature film Celts — by writer-director Milica Tomović, produced by the filmmaker and by Vladimir.
History, memory, and female-driven stories mark some of the main themes in the six Serbian films selected for Locarno’s First Look, a pix-in-post strand that represents one of the high points of the mid-summer festival on the shores of Lake Maggiore.
The competitive showcase this year highlights an industry that has become increasingly prolific in the past decade. Thanks in large part to an uptick in government funding, which has opened the door for more international collaborations, it’s also grown in scope and ambition. “The industry itself, in terms of production power, it’s growing,” said First Look project manager Markus Duffner. More importantly, he added, young Serbian producers are “rapidly growing in terms of international industry experience.”
As part of its partnership with Locarno, Film Center Serbia selected six projects – including five documentary features – with all but one in post-production. Four of the six films are helmed by female directors.
The competitive showcase this year highlights an industry that has become increasingly prolific in the past decade. Thanks in large part to an uptick in government funding, which has opened the door for more international collaborations, it’s also grown in scope and ambition. “The industry itself, in terms of production power, it’s growing,” said First Look project manager Markus Duffner. More importantly, he added, young Serbian producers are “rapidly growing in terms of international industry experience.”
As part of its partnership with Locarno, Film Center Serbia selected six projects – including five documentary features – with all but one in post-production. Four of the six films are helmed by female directors.
- 8/9/2019
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Lili Hinstin said she wants to programme more UK films, short films and youth-oriented films.
Lili Hinstin, the new artistic director of the Locarno Festival, is planning a sharper focus on younger audiences, short films and programming titles films from territories such as the UK which have not previously had a strong presence at the festival.
“British cinema has not been considered enough,” she said. “British cinema has some hidden gems we have to launch.”
In her previous job as artistic director of France’s Belfort International Film Festival, France-born Hinstin programmed UK arthouse titles such as Joanna Coates’ debut...
Lili Hinstin, the new artistic director of the Locarno Festival, is planning a sharper focus on younger audiences, short films and programming titles films from territories such as the UK which have not previously had a strong presence at the festival.
“British cinema has not been considered enough,” she said. “British cinema has some hidden gems we have to launch.”
In her previous job as artistic director of France’s Belfort International Film Festival, France-born Hinstin programmed UK arthouse titles such as Joanna Coates’ debut...
- 2/15/2019
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Buenos Aires — “The Good Intentions,” the first feature of Argentina’s Argentina’s Ana García Blaya, won two industry prizes, including the top European Vision Prize, at the 2018 10th Ventana Sur, which wraps Dec. 14 in Buenos Aires. It shared a third.
The award sweep, for a title in pix-in-pose section Primer Corte, was always on the cards. The father-daughter drama – in which a young girl, shunted between her divorced parents, has to choose between gong to live abroad with her mother or staying with her feckless father – played to applause and even, reportedly, some tears at an industry screening Thursday.
“It’s a portrait of a 2.0 family,” said Bruno Deloye, at France’s Cine + Club, which adjudicated the prize with Le Film Français’ Francois-Pier Pelinard-Lambert and Louise Ronzet from Udi, the latter two representing TitraFilms and Gomedia.
Deloye added: “The relationship between two parents and the three children is crazy,...
The award sweep, for a title in pix-in-pose section Primer Corte, was always on the cards. The father-daughter drama – in which a young girl, shunted between her divorced parents, has to choose between gong to live abroad with her mother or staying with her feckless father – played to applause and even, reportedly, some tears at an industry screening Thursday.
“It’s a portrait of a 2.0 family,” said Bruno Deloye, at France’s Cine + Club, which adjudicated the prize with Le Film Français’ Francois-Pier Pelinard-Lambert and Louise Ronzet from Udi, the latter two representing TitraFilms and Gomedia.
Deloye added: “The relationship between two parents and the three children is crazy,...
- 12/14/2018
- by John Hopewell and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
The latest movies from three of Portugal’s most prominent production houses – Ukbar’s “Sunburn,” beActive’s “Gabriel” and O Som e a Furia’s “Breeding Ground” – feature in this year’s Locarno First Look showcase, a pix-in-post strand which marks one of the biggest attractions for sales agents and distributors at Europe’s largest mid-summer film event.
They are joined by three more doc-features, like “Breeding Ground”: Terratreme’s “Campo,” “Blue Breath,” from Bando a Parte, and Entre Imagen’s “Earth.”
A prestige First Look Jury is comprised by SXSW film head Janet Pierson, San Sebastian Festival director José Luis Rebordinos, and new Vienna Film Festival director Eva Sangiorgi.
First Look also serves as an introduction to key producers, talents and trends in a national cinema, and as springboard for broader international reach.
The First Look showcase catches Portuguese cinema at a contradictory time. Abroad, for a country of just 10.2 million inhabitants,...
They are joined by three more doc-features, like “Breeding Ground”: Terratreme’s “Campo,” “Blue Breath,” from Bando a Parte, and Entre Imagen’s “Earth.”
A prestige First Look Jury is comprised by SXSW film head Janet Pierson, San Sebastian Festival director José Luis Rebordinos, and new Vienna Film Festival director Eva Sangiorgi.
First Look also serves as an introduction to key producers, talents and trends in a national cinema, and as springboard for broader international reach.
The First Look showcase catches Portuguese cinema at a contradictory time. Abroad, for a country of just 10.2 million inhabitants,...
- 7/30/2018
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
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