SMART7 in its second year: the bravest European cinema is on tour in seven film festivals across Europe

The Riga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF, 17–27 October), a prominent cinema event in the Baltics, has opened the application process for its four competitions. The RIGA IFF Feature Film Competition, the Short Film National Competition, and the Baltic Music Video Competition will be open for submissions until 30 June. Meanwhile the deadline for the Short Film International Competition is 31 May. Submission until 25 March is without a fee. You can access the competition rules and submit applications starting today by visiting the websites enter.rigaiff.lv and filmfreeway.com/rigaiff.

BUCHAREST: The Ukrainian streaming service Megogo has launched in Romania with a subscription of 3.02 EUR / 14.99 RON for over 100 channels and 1,000 films through its Optim TV package.

RIGA: Once We Were Pitmen by Christian Johannes Koch and Jonas Matauschek won the Grand Prix in the Baltic Focus section of the 4th International Documentary Film Festival Artdocfest/Riga (1 - 8 March 2024). The winner of Artdocfest Open competition is the Polish majority coproduction In the Rearview directed by Maciek Hamela.

CLUJ-NAPOCA: Filmmakers from Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Greece and Turkey can submit their projects to the 11th international coproduction programme Transilvania Pitch Stop (TPS), which will be held 20 – 21 June 2024 within the 23rd Transilvania IFF (14 – 23 June 2024).

A world Premiere! Wild Urge (81 min') is based on true events. The film tells the story of a successful lawyer suspected of drugging a young woman who claims he had sexually assaulted her.

Transilvania International Film Festival (June 14 - 23, 2024) opens the registration for Transilvania Pitch Stop (TPS). Starting today, filmmakers from Ukraine, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Moldova, Greece, Turkey and Georgia can submit their projects to the 11th edition of the international co-production program. Applications can be submitted online until April 20, 2024, through the Eventival.eu platform - https://vp.eventival.com/tiff/2024/film-form/tps_coproduction_2024

Under the TPS program, the jury will select up to 10 projects in development, belonging to filmmakers on their debut or second feature film. The program will include the presentation of projects to potential partners and funders (producers, distributors, sales agents, film fund representatives, etc.), individual meetings, project discussions but also awards consisting in cash prizes and production services. The event will take place in Cluj-Napoca, on June 20-21.

Projects may be in various stages of development, but a first draft script must be available for selection. To be eligible, each project must be conceived, from the outset, as a European co-production. At the same time, at least 20% of the film's budget must already be secured. The program will be conducted in English.

RIGA: The most important documentary co-financing pitching event in the Baltic countries, Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries (Baltic Sea Docs), has launched the call for projects for its 28th edition in Riga, which will be held onsite from 1 to 8 September 2024 (industry dates 1 – 6 September 2024).

BERLIN: The 21st edition of the Arthouse Cinema Training organised by the International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas (CICAE) will be held in Berlin from 19 to 25 August 2024.

Baltic Sea Forum for Documentaries (Baltic Sea Docs) is the most important documentary co-financing pitching event in the Baltic countries, taking place in Riga, Latvia. The 28th edition is scheduled to take place onsite from 1 – 8 September 2024 (industry dates 1 – 6 September). The call for projects for all sections is open now and will close on 10 May.