From 9 to 19 February the 62nd Berlin Film Festival is taking place. This year as many as three Slovenian films, supported on the basis of the public call for minority o‑productions in 2010, will be presented in the official festival programme.

The Croatian minority co-production, feature dramedy Parade, written and directed by Srđan Dragojević, starring Croatian actors Dejan Aćimović and Bojan Navojec, is included in the official PANORAMA selection of the 62nd Berlinale.

{mosimage}How much do you know about Lithuania and its film industry? That it is a small country near the Baltic Sea, creating a record low amount of films? Unfortunately we have to disappoint you because your knowledge might be a bit outdated. Lithuanian film industry has reached something that could be described as a breaking point in 2011 and it is going though a revival process.

An interview with Romanian filmmaker and producer Florin Iepan about his latest documentary project Odessa, Romania's involvement in WW2, pigeonholing, resurgence of intolerance, observational fog, Michael Moore, and more...

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FAMU, Prague's national film academy and one of Europe's oldest and most famous film schools, has opened the application process for its English-language international programmes. FAMU (www.famu.cz), located in a historic landmark palace in the heart of Prague, offers one-, two- and three-year intensive programmes.

Lithuanian Films at EFM in Berlinale: the gold age era

A modern national Lithuanian Films stand, representing all the factors that led to the substantial recovery of the country‘s film industry, will be giving a warm welcome to the world‘s film industry visiting Berlin at the European Film Market (EFM) Thursday this week already.

Lithuania‘s Minister of Culture Arunas Gelunas, who is also a strong supporter of Lithuania‘s participation in EFM, states that the collaboration of the Lithuanian film industry with other European and worldwide countries is particularly needed.

“I am very glad that Lithuanian films are being represented in such a professional manner and the participation in the EFM is of particular importance to our country this year, especially having in mind that the Lithuanian film centre will be opened very soon and new additional film financing models are being considered“, noted Lithuania‘s Minster of Culture.

Dominykas Sirvinskas, the head of office of “MEDIA Desk Lithuania“, supports the words of Lithuania‘s Minister of Culture by stating that 2011 was a year of a breaking point, when the entire Lithuanian film industry has risen like a phoenix from the ashes. Not only were full length feature films and documentaries created, allowing the cinema halls to be packed with viewers but also the film financing gaps were started to tackle on a political level.

An increased funding for the films in Lithuania, the adoption of the amendment of the film law of the Republic of Lithuania, a newly established Vilnius film office, a planned establishment of the Lithuanian film centre, first time ever a Lithuanian film (“Tadas Blinda. The beginning”, directed by D. Ulvydas) has beaten all records of attendance and revenues and has even left behind the all time record holder in Lithuania “Avatar” (directed by James Cameron).

“We need to share the good news with our colleagues abroad, our country has many hopes in the development of the film industry and we have all the conditions needed for the professional filmmaking in place”, notes D. Sirvinskas.

Dominykas Širvinskas tells that the stand will particularly welcome those, who are interested in Lithuanian films - film festival organizers, film distributors and producers, production company representatives, broadcasters. The stand also welcomes those, for whom the possibilities of filming in Lithuania are relevant.

It is worth mentioning that 8 national documentary and feature film premieres took place in Lithuania in 2011. The Italian director Gabriele Salvatores started shooting his “Siberian Education“ where the leading role is being created by a famous American actor, director and producer John Malkovich in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius. Vilnius was chosen by the film makers due to its unique landscape, architecture, professional staff and low costs involved.

Despite the fact that the national Lithuanian Films Stand will welcome visitors at the EFM only for the second time this year, the country‘s film industry will be represented by as many as 26 organizations in Berlinale: film makers and producers, the country’s major international film festivals, film production and distribution companies.

Lithuania‘s national film stand is financed and organized by: Lithuania‘s Ministry of Culture, a public institution “Enterprise Lithuania“, “MEDIA Desk Lithuania” office and the Independent Producers Association.

For more information please contact:

Rimante Daugelaite

MEDIA Desk Lithuania

International Cultural Programme centre

Z.Sierakausko g. 15, LT-03105 Vilnius

Mob.phone.: +370 5 212 71 87

Faks. +370 5 2609425

E.mail.: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ESTONIAN STAND has moved to a slightly NEW LOCATION in Berlin and is now situated at G10 – the same upper floor in Martin Gropius Bau, but slightly larger and roomier place. You are most welcome to check us out! The stand is very simply called "Estonia". The Latvian separate national stand is right beside us.

We have three new films at the market and one in competition – the new full-length animation "Lotte and the Moonstone Secret" competes in the Generation Kplus program.

2012 also brings along the 100th anniversary of Estonian film, so please except some special activities both in Berlin and elsewhere all through the year. Please come and have a chat with us, if you have any interest in showing some all-time best Estonian cinema on that occasion.

Present in Berlin from the Estonian Film Foundation:
● Marge Liiske (Managing Director) / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +3725148134
● Karlo Funk (Head of Production and Development) / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +37256485966
● Eda Koppel (Information Manager) / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +3725203306
● Tristan Priimägi (Head of International Relations) / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +37253402010

Dear Colleagues & Friends,

In Berlin, you can find out more about Slovak cinema at the CENTRAL EUROPEAN CINEMA STAND in Martin-Gropius-Bau, no. 130:

The stand is a joint project of Slovakia, Czech Republic and Slovenia, so you find the THREE of our cinemas on one address!

Meet:

Slovak Film Institute – February 10-17

Katarína Tomková – International Relations, Film Promotion

&

Alexandra Strelková – director of National Cinematographic Centre, Film Promotion

To find out more about Slovak presence in Berlin this year, click the following link: WHAT´S SLOVAK IN BERLIN 2012?

From the same link, Feel free to download the new updated and re-designed catalogue of SLOVAK FILMS 11-12

And see the newsletter attached with more updated information about Slovak cinema.

We look forward to seeing you Berlin!

Katarína

&

Alexandra