PRAGUE: The upcoming US series Whiskey Cavalier, which shot its pilot episode in Prague in March 2018, has been approved for a second boost of Czech film incentives.
BRATISLAVA: Three Czech and Slovak films opened in the top ten on the weekend of 22 November 2018, while a fourth film stayed in the top ten for the third week of its release.
VILNIUS: Domestic films continue to do well in Lithuania, with Worm / Sirdys directed by Justinas Kristiunas opening in the top spot on the 23-25 November 2018 weekend.
BRATISLAVA: The 20th Bratislava IFF, which runs 29 November – 2 December, has transformed the Made in Slovakia section to a selection of Slovak and Czech films, with several Slovak/Czech coproductions.
BANJA LUKA: Bosnian film professionals will gather in Banja Luka to discuss the state of the film industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 29 and 30 November 2018 at a forum organised by Vizart Film and the Creative Europe Desk.
TREBON: The Central European networking initiative for the animation industry is changing its name as it expands its outreach. Formerly known as VAF, the Visegrad Animation Forum, it has been re-titled CEE Animation Forum, and has opened a call for pitches of animated projects.
Visegrad Animation Forum Is Rebranding into CEE Animation and Opens Call for Pitch of Animated Projects
Press releases 26-11-2018Visegrad Animation Forum (VAF) has been the largest platform for the animation industry in Central and Eastern Europe. Over the course of its six-year existence, it has managed to build a strong base of film professionals and welcome over 150 participants from all over Europe in Třeboň every year. The Central and Eastern European region operates on very similar historical, artistic and economic fundaments. That's why it is the organisers' ambition to broaden the platform by including other countries, increase the range of activities, and umbrella all of that under the new CEE Animation brand.
PODGORICA: Montenegrin producer Jelena Mišeljić, director Dušan Kasalica and director Ivan Salatić are new members of the European Film Academy.
Take off for the 22nd Edition of EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS at the Berlin International Film Festival 2019
Press releases 25-11-2018For the 22nd edition of EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS (Feb 8 – 11, 2019) – EFP’s high profile programme for internationally most promising European acting talents at the Berlin International Film Festival – the EFP member organisations have nominated 29 European actresses and actors of which 10 will be selected by an expert jury. The nominees have qualified for this important stepping stone in their career by already starring in their first leading roles and receiving awards for their performances or their films in their home countries. Most importantly, they also carry a strong screen presence and the special quality it takes to step out into the international film market.
EU Copyright Directive
14/11: EU Council poised to insist on mandatory upload filters – MEP Julia Reda
The closed-door trilogue efforts to finalise the EU Copyright Directive continue. The Presidency of the Council, currently held by Austria, has now circulated among the EU member state governments a new proposal for a compromise between the differing drafts currently on the table for the controversial Articles 11 and 13.
Competition
06/11: Mergers: Commission approves Disney's acquisition of parts of Fox, subject to conditions – European Commission
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of parts of Fox by Disney, both US based global media companies. The decision is conditional on full compliance with commitments offered by Disney.
09/11: Antitrust: Commission seeks feedback on commitments offered by Disney in pay-TV investigation – European Commission
The European Commission is inviting comments from interested parties on commitments offered by Disney to address competition concerns relating to contractual clauses preventing the cross-border provision of pay-TV.
Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD)
06/11: Less hate speech and more European content on video streaming services: Council adopts new EU rules – Council of the European Union
As a result of updates by the EU to its rules for audiovisual media services, traditional television and new services such as on-demand broadcasting will compete on a level playing field. Video sharing platforms will also for the first time be subject to rules ensuring that viewers, and in particular minors, will be better protected from violent or harmful content or hate speech.
EU Budget
14/11: Long-term EU budget : MEPs lay down funding priorities for post-2020 budget – European Parliament
In a vote on Wednesday, MEPs confirmed their position on the next EU long-term budget, including a precise breakdown of the amounts for each EU programme.
European Elections
08/11: Manfred Weber elected as EPP candidate for the President of the European Commission - EPP Group
The Congress of the European People’s Party (EPP) today elected Manfred WEBER as the EPP’s candidate for President of the European Commission, ahead of the May 2019 European Parliament elections.
07/11: Progressives unite behind Frans Timmermans – S&D Group
After Frans Timmermans was endorsed as the PES Common Candidate by fellow Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, the president of the S&D Group Udo Bullmann hosted an exchange with Frans Timmermans at the S&D Group meeting yesterday, with the participation of Maros Šefčovič and PES president Sergei Stanishev. The meeting was a clear sign that progressives are up and ready for the 2019 campaign.
Lux Film Prize
14/11: Winner of the Lux Film Prize: “This is about a woman who wants to save the world” (video) – European Parliament
Woman at War has won this year’s Lux Film Prize. In an interview, director Benedikt Erlingsson talked about climate change and the challenges it poses to democracy.
Events
27 November: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive
27-30 November: EUIPO Working Group Meetings, Warsaw
3-4 December: Trilogue - EU Copyright Directive
14 December: UNIC Paris Meeting
