Increasing numbers of local and international film productions are applying for the newly launched 20 percent cash rebates offered by the Czech Republic, submitting to the required cultural test. The Czech Film Industry Support Program, which went online in June, evaluates each project for European cultural and production criteria and a minimum spend in the Czech Republic.

The director of Reverse, awarded best Polish film of 2009, has just finished shooting a short feature promoting the city of Łódź as European Capital of Culture for 2016. Borys Lankosz was chosen from among several Polish filmmakers who had submitted projects supporting the city, a center of film production in Poland.

The biggest war drama of its kind ever to be shot in Latvia is slated to begin shooting early next year. My Way, a Korean-Latvian co-production, will film partly in Riga.

"Venice" by Jan Jakub Kolski got the Best Artistic Contribution Prize at the 34th Montreal World Film Festival, confirming the successful international premiere of the film.

European animation is getting ready for the next edition of Cartoon Tributes 2010, the annual awards for sector professionals to honour their peers' outstanding contribution to the development of the animation industry in Europe. The awards are for Best Broadcaster, Investor/Distributor and Producer of the year.

The Cartoon Tributes, in their fifth consecutive year, seek to recognise companies whose innovation, creation and financial commitment have helped drive the growth of European animation for television. The 2010 awards will be announced on 17th September in the city of Sopron in northwest Hungary.

Twelve companies from seven European countries are among the finalists. The three winners will be selected by the participants of the 21st Cartoon Forum, the platform to boost co-production and distribution of European animation for television and new media, which will be held in Sopron from 14 -17 September.

France and UK lead the nominations with a candidate in each of the three categories, while companies from Finland, Hungary, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Spain round up the rest of the nominations for these awards.

The finalists for Cartoon Tributes 2010 are:

Broadcaster of the Year

CBeebies - BBC Children's (UK)
Minimax (Hungary)
TF1 Unité Jeunesse (France)
YLE (Finland)

Distributor / Investor of the Year

Atlantyca (Italy)
Entertainment One Family (UK)
Kiddinx Studios (Germany)
Moonscoop (France)

Producer of the Year

Belvision (Belgium)
Calon (UK)
Edebé Audiovisual (Spain)
TeamTO (France)


Cartoon Forum Organisation: Annick Maes
Tel: (32) (2) 242 93 43 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

International Press: Gerardo Michelin
Tel: (34) (630) 57 22 68 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sky 1 has commissioned the costume drama Sindbad from Impossible Pictures, to start shooting in Malta in February. The ambitious project is part of American Sky 1's (sky1.sky.com) multi-million dollar HD drama investment expansion, which has also backed popular shows such as Lost, House M.D. and Fringe.

Berlin based m-appeal has picked up the critically acclaimed Polish drama The Christening.

Institute of Documentary Film at the Jihlava IDFF
October 21 - 31, 2010, Czech Republic, Jihlava


EAST EUROPEAN FORUM
Application deadline is this Friday, Sep 3! Apply via our online application form. This year we are introducing a major format change - instead of an immediate discussion with CE's, Doc Presentations (pitches) will be followed by Feedback Round Tables.

EAST SILVER Doc Market
The 7th East Silver Market 2010 has already revealed the names of some of this year's guests. More than 50 industry professionals have so far confirmed their participation at the Market.

INDUSTRY SIDEBAR
Until September 30, you can register for all industry events organized by IDF at the Jihlava IDFF via our accreditation form. At the 2010 East Silver Market, professionals have the opportunity to arrange a meeting with industry guests. Register now for the co-production programme. Deadline: September 30.

Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival
The 14th edition of the biggest festival of creative documentary in Central and Eastern Europe / October 26 - 31 / For more information and online accreditation, please visit the official website.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Institute of Documentary Film, www.DOKweb.net

WARSAW: Producers from Poland, Hungary, Croatia and the Czech Republic will be heading to Toronto to take part in the Producers Lab Toronto organized by European Film Promotion (EFP) in collaboration with the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).