We are very happy to reveal the 9 new feature film projects that have been selected for Feature Launch 2018.

 

The Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the Eureka Media company based in Warsaw, the Centre for Open and Multimedia Learning of the University of Warsaw and The Centre for Modern Information Techniques and Visual Arts from Kiev invite to participate in the debate about possible forms of communication, dialogue and understanding between Ukrainians and Poles. We are particularly interested in the opportunities offered by new interactive technologies. But everyone is invited, whether you use such technologies or not.

The seminar will take place on 8 December, 6:00-7:30 PM at the centre of Kiev (we will give the address to the selected participants). On 9 December 2017 we will conduct interviews with selected participants who register until 7 December 2017 6:00 PM, Kiev time. Please contact us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Ukrainian, Russian, English).

Our most important questions:

What knowledge do Ukrainians and Poles need about both countries and their cultures?

What is the best way to discuss mutual relations and to look for common goals?

What technologies, communication strategies and marketing tools can be utilised to reach the widest possible audience - participants of the interactive project Ukraine - Poland.  New Gaze?

***

The Seminar Ukraine – Poland. New Gaze will be the first stage of a project focused around an interactive documentary platform meant to present - in multi-layered and broad thematic terms acknowledging different points of view - the history of Polish-Ukrainian relations and the problems of contemporary relations between both societies. Interactive documentary films will constitute a significant part of the platform. The films will use newly recorded materials and archival footage as well as integral original works. They will be made by students and young graduates of film schools and media faculties from both countries, selected in a contest.

Interactive documentary film is a fairly new phenomenon. Its appeal comes from a combination of the possibilities of three genres (means of communication): traditional documentary film, websites and computer games. While traditional documentary has a closed structure protected by copyright law, interactive documentaries give the viewer - the participant of a communication process - the opportunity to choose their own path leading to the goal understood as, e.g. acquiring knowledge about the topic of the film. While a website is full of dispersed content, an interactive documentary does have a narrative structure. After all, it is telling a story, even if there are several (or more) ways of getting to its essence. And while a computer game requires constant, and often intuitive activity of the participant of the communication process, usually ended with losing or winning, an interactive documentary presents more unchangeable materials and thus it offers the opportunity for deeper thought and for an artistic level of communication.

Using the interactive documentary genre in the project Ukraine - Poland. New Gaze will make it possible to present - in an attractive, interactive and cinematic form - the many different historic and social narratives present in the public space of both countries and in commentaries on their relations that have been and still are published beyond their borders. Participants of the communication process will get the opportunity to verify the truthfulness of those messages, to get to know common narratives that seem dissonant at first glance, and to reach their own conclusions. The debate will be moderated which shall ensure its high quality and help avoid one-sided voices and propaganda. Trusting young professionals - students and young graduates of film and media studies from both countries - with production will ensure a fresh look, an unflinching attitude and honesty in using source materials. We will welcome new technologies thanks to the broad and, by definition, open form of the interactive documentary.

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

 

These grants were announced by Film Center Serbia on 4 December 2017.

The awards of the 21st Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival are presented at the Award Ceremony of the festival held in the Russian Theatre in the evening of the 2nd of December.

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Jury members: 

Dennis Davidson, Zeynep Atakan, Graziano Diana, Ivo Felt, Zygmunt Krauze, Naoko Ogigami, Laila Pakalnina

Grand Prix

for the Best Film (Grant of 10,000 Euros, shared by the Director and Producer)

Night Accident / Tunku Kyrsyk
 
Director: Temirbek Birnazarov
Country: Kyrgyzstan
Year: 2017

Jury comments:

Captured our hearts with its simple, yet immersive story of a man who has been tortured by life’s travails.   The accident gives him a rich opportunity to lighten his being and distracts him from an even darker journey and he takes it with both hands.

***

Best Director 
Best Director (Grant of 5000 Euros)
 
Ju-hyoung Lee
 
Excavator / Pokeulein
Country: South Korea
Year: 2017

Jury comments:

For asking a simple but heartfelt question of the military and politicians, which no-one wants to answer.  Using his excavator, the protagonist seeks to uncover the truth in a strong and important film, with simple means of expression.

*** 

Best Cinematography
Best Cinematography (Grant of 1000 Euros)
 
Erik Põllumaa, Ivar Taim

The Manslayer / The Virgin / The Shadow /  Mehetapja / Süütu / Vari 
Director: Sulev Keedus
Countries: Estonia, Lithuania
Year: 2017

Jury comments: 

"For the mastery in creating the haunting and skillful visual imagery of the three distinct chapters in which the film consists."

*** 

Best Script 
 
Baris Bicakci, Pelin Esmer
 
Something Useful / Ise Yarar Bir Sey
Director: Pelin Esmer
Countries: Turkey, France, Netherlands, Germany
Year: 2017

Jury comments:

For the human sensibility and the capacity to turn a train trip to Anatolia into a compelling tale of poetry and grief, mutual comprehension and healing.

*** 

Best Actress
 
Barbara Auer
 
Vacuum / Vakuum
Director: Christine Repond
Countries: Switzerland, Germany
Year: 2017

Jury comments:

 Barbara Auer uses her beauty to emphasise the horror of a wife and mother whose very existence is challenged by the actions of her husband. Her portrayal is heartrending as we ask the question how secure are we in our own lives?

*** 

Best Actor
 
Rhys Ifans
 
Dominion
Director: Steven Bernstein
Country: United States
Year: 2017

Jury comments:

Rhys Ifans delivers an unswerving master class in acting as he brings the challenging character of Dylan Thomas.   He dominates the screen throughout and brings Dylan’s charisma and power sharply into focus.

*** 

Best Music 
 
Martynas Bialobžeskis
 
The Manslayer / The Virgin / The Shadow / Mehetapja / Süütu / Vari
Director: Sulev Keedus
Countries: Estonia, Lithuania
Year: 2017

FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION

Jury members: 

Eitan Anner, Aiste Diržiute, Takeo Hisamatsu, Fernando Loureiro, Tiina Mälberg, Guillaume de Seille

The Award for the Best First Feature
(Grant of 5000 Euros, shared by the Director and Producer)

Different Kinds of Rain /1000 Arten, den Regen zu beschreiben
 
Director: Isabel Prahl
Country: Germany
Year: 2017
 

Jury comment:
For injecting new energy and a fresh approach into the portrayal of a family falling apart. 

***
Special Jury Prize for Directing
 
Sunbeat / Soleil Battant
 
Directors: Clara Laperrousaz, Laura Laperrousaz
Countries: France, Portugal
Year: 2017 

Jury comment:
For a seductive and touching depiction of what it means to start over. 

***

Special Jury Prize for the Ensemble of Cast

The Marriage / Martesa

Director: Blerta Zeqiri

Countries: Kosovo, Albania
Year: 2017 

Jury comment:
For a complex and gripping ensemble performance.

ESTONIAN FILM COMPETITION
 

The Estonian Film Competition is judged by the same jury as the First Feature Competition:
Eitan Anner, Aiste Diržiute, Takeo Hisamatsu, Fernando Loureiro, Tiina Mälberg, Guillaume de Seille
 

Award for the Best Estonian Film
Grant of 3200 Euros, shared by the Director and Producer

November

Director: Rainer Sarnet
Countries: Estonia, Netherlands, Poland
Year: 2017

Jury comment:

For  the film’s poetic expression of the human condition and the universal primal needs of people via the creation of a unique cinematic world.

NETWORK FOR THE PROMOTION OF ASIAN CINEMA (NETPAC) AWARD

Selecting the best Asian film of the festival among the two international competition programmes and the world and international premieres of the non-competitive programmes.

Jury members: Lekha Shankar, Keoprasith Souvannavong, Martti Helde

Winner:
 
Goodbye, Grandpa! / Ojichan, shinjattatte!
 
Director: Yukihiro Morigaki
Country: Japan
Year: 2017
 

Jury comment:
For its simple and moving portrayal of a loss, that heightens the complexities of a modern Japanese family. The debut-film has universal overtones, that touch one and all.

FIPRESCI AWARD
 

International Federation of Film Critics Jury selects the best film in the First Feature Competition

Jury members:

Kata Orsoloya Molnar, Kristin Aalen, Emilie Toomela

Winner:
 
The Marriage / Martesa
 
Director: Blerta Zeqiri
Countries: Kosovo, Albania
Year: 2017

Jury comment:

From short films to her first feature film, we find that the director has now composed a fully-fledged relationship drama about our longing for love whatever the sexual orientation may be. With her own personal signature and with incisive vision, the director demonstrates how we can unmindfully buy into the illusion of happiness, which is based on dishonesty to oneself and those closest to you. Vigourously and authentically set in a Kosovar and Albanian cinema tradition, the film seems like a manifestation for love between human beings, without the parade.

AUDIENCE AWARD

The audience's favourite film of the whole programme of the festival.

Tulipani, Love, Honour and a Bicycle
 
Director: Mike van Diem
Countries: Netherlands, Italy, Canada
Year: 2017

REBELS WITH A CAUSE AUDIENCE AWARD

Audience's favourite film in the programme Rebels With A Cause.
 
The Wild Boys / Les garçons sauvages
 
Director: Bertrand Mandico
Country: France
Year: 2017

 

Digital Single Market

21/11: EFADs welcomes the EP Legal Affairs Committee’s support for territorial exclusivity - EFADs
Peter Dinges, President of the European Film Agency Directors (EFADs) welcomes the vote: “By opposing and reducing the scope of the country of origin principle, the Legal Affairs committee showed its support for territorial exclusivity and remains faithful to its long-standing position in favour of a culturally diverse audiovisual sector and to EU citizens’ access to European culture.”

21/11: Statement from Creativity Works! on the JURI committee’s vote on the proposed Broadcasters’ Regulation - Creativity Works!
Mathieu Moreuil, Chair of Creativity Works! said: “Today’s vote acknowledges the importance of territorial exclusivity as the lifeblood of Europe’s creative industries.  As the legislative process continues, we call on EU legislators to bear in mind the concerns expressed across the creative and cultural sectors and to ensure that the growth of European industries and reinvestments in high quality EU content are fostered, not impeded.”

22/11: FERA Issues Statement in Support of JURI Decision - FNE
The Federation of European Film Directors, FERA, made a public statement welcoming the decision of the Members of the Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee vote in the EU Parliament to limit the extension of the “Country of Origin” principle to news and current affairs programmes. The decision means that exclusive territorial licensing, cornerstone of audiovisual works’ investment structure, distribution and promotion throughout Europe are preserved in their present form.

Copyright

 29/11: Intellectual Property package: Protecting Europe's know-how and innovation leadership

- European Commission

The Commission presented its measures to ensure that intellectual property rights are well protected, thereby encouraging European companies, in particular SMEs and start-ups, to invest in innovation and creativity.

 European Parliament

 22/11: Chair of EU Culture Committee MEP Petra Kammerevert on Film and the European Year of Cultural Heritage - Film New Europe

Film New Europe spoke with Petra Kammerevert, Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education in the European Parliament about the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. MEP Kammerevert highlights the importance of cinema as part of the cultural heritage.

 Estonian Presidency

27/11: Developments of the film and audiovisual field discussed at the visionary conference in Tallinn - EU2017.ee

On 27 and 28 November representatives of film and audiovisual field, experts, policy makers and visionaries gathered in Tallinn for a two-day international visionary conference to discuss topical issues of the European media and film industry. The conference was organised within the framework of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Events:

1/12: Private Sector Representatives Meeting - EUIPO

6-7/12: EDCF Annual Convention