LJUBLJANA: Acid Rain by Poland’s Tomek Popakul was awarded the Jury Grand Prix in the Eastern and Central European Competition Programme of the 16th Animateka International Animated Film Festival, held in Ljubljana from 2 to 8 December 2019. The film also won the Audience Award.
The Christmas Gift, Cold War and Ankica Jurić Tilić Awarded at 32nd European Film Awards
Region 09-12-2019BERLIN: The Christmas Gift by Romania’s Bogdan Mureşanu was awarded the European Short Film prize, Cold War by Polish/British Pawel Pawlikowski received the People’s Choice Award and Croatia’s Ankica Jurić Tilić received the European Co-Production Award 2019 – Prix Eurimages at the 32nd European Film Awards held in Berlin on 7 December 2019.
Copyright enforcement
27/11: Illegal IPTV in the European Union: Research on online business models infringing intellectual property rights (Phase 3) – EUIPO
The report estimates EUR 941.7 million of unlawful revenue was generated by copyright infringing IPTV providers in the EU in 2018 and that these services were used by 13.7 million people in the EU (3.6 % of the EU-28 population).
EU Budget
18/11: EU Budget 2020 deal: Investing more in climate action, youth and research – European Parliament
MEPs have obtained better support for climate action, research, SMEs and the young in next year’s EU budget, after a second round of talks with Council.
18/11: Agreement on EU budget for 2020: Tackling climate change and delivering on other EU priorities – European Commission
The three EU institutions agreed on the EU's budget for 2020. This will allow the EU to focus its resources on the priorities that matter to citizens: climate change, jobs, young people, security and solidarity in the EU.
25/11: EU budget for 2020: Council endorses deal with Parliament – Council of the EU
The Council approved the deal reached with the European Parliament on the 2020 EU budget. If the agreement is also confirmed by the Parliament, the EU budget for 2020 is adopted.
European Commission
25/11: Council adopts new list of Commissioner candidates – Council of the EU
The Council adopted a new list of persons whom it proposes for appointment as members of the Commission until 31 October 2024.
27/11: Parliament elects the von der Leyen Commission – European Parliament
Following the conclusion of the hearings process, Parliament approved the new Commissioners, presented to plenary by Commission President-elect von der Leyen.
European People’s Party
20/11: Donald Tusk overwhelmingly elected European People’s Party President – EPP
The European People’s Party Congress has overwhelmingly elected Donald Tusk as the EPP President with 491 in favour (93%) and 37 against.
European Cinema Night 2019
29/11: European Cinema Night 2019: free screenings showcase the best of European film – European Commission
The second edition of the European Cinema Night, an event celebrating the best of European film by offering free screenings, is taking place from 2 to 6 December in cinemas across the EU.
Events:
16 December: Fourth European Commission copyright Stakeholders’ Meeting, Brussels
WARSAW: FNE has teamed up with the Brussels based team of the International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) to bring you regular updates on EU cinema policies that impact all industry professionals across Europe. Click here for FNE UNIC EU Cinema Policy Update.
Take a closer look at the Latvian/Estonian documentary project Nord Express, which was selected for the 17th edition of Ex Oriente Film out of a record number of 107 submitted projects from 40 countries.
Productions funded by the Polish Film Institute at its 3rd session of 2019 documentary film (announced on 4 December 2019)
Short Film Projects Supported by Film Fund in 2019
FESTIVALS: Germany’s Effigy – Poison and the City Wins Cyprus IFF 2019 Golden Aphrodite
Cyprus 05-12-2019PAPHOS: German film Effigy – Poison and the City directed by Udo Flohr was awarded the Golden Aphrodite for best film in the debut features competition of the 14th edition of Cyprus International Film Festival (CΥIFF). Portugal’s Snu directed by Patrícia Sequeira was awarded best film in the Veterans competition.
Youth and Children’s Film Festival Just Film crowns Boyz in the Wood with the main prize
Press releases 04-12-2019
Just Film, the largest youth and children's film festival in Northern Europe and a sub-festival of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, set the audience record and handed out the Grand Prix to Ninian Doff for Boyz in the Wood.
At its 19th edition Just Film screened 54 feature films and documentaries, offering a wide selection of films to kids, youngsters, parents, teachers, students and adults. During the 17-days-long festival, the audiences had the opportunity to choose films from a children's and a youth programme, documentaries in the DOC@JUST section, children's rights programme and the Science360° programme.
Just Film managed to break its audience attendance record this year with over 20 000 visits (2019 saw 18 000 visits).
Just Film also hosted over 70 foreign guests, another record for the festival, that saw the number triple from the last edition. The festival presented two world, one international and two European premieres.
Mikk Granström, the head of Just Film commented: “The festival is growing rapidly and is starting to find its spot at the international circuit. We were glad to host so many international guests this year and will approach the jubilee edition in 2020 with great enthusiasm and excitement!”
The motto for this year’s Just Film was "All for one and one for all!" as many of the films in the programme introduced children and youngsters who take responsibility, stand against injustice and care for the future of mankind.
Just Film International Youth Film Competition
Jury: Moonika Siimets (Estonia), Margret Albers (Germany), Karsten de Vreugd (The Netherlands)
Films in competition: https://www.justfilm.ee/en/movie-posts/youth-competition/
Grand Prix for the Best Youth film:
BOYZ IN THE WOOD (Great Britain)
Director: Ninian Doff
Jury commentary: "We have seen a lot of great and touching drama in this competition – there has been one film though which showed in a very original way that you can be really funny and deal with relevant topics at the same time. Finding your vocation, taking your chances, young versus old and wield a friendship which might last forever. We had a hilarious time with this hilarious film!"
International Jury special mention:
ANTIGONE (Canada)
Director: Sophie Deraspe
Jury commentary: "To tell a classic tale in a new way is very tough. In this film stereotypes are successfully avoided – you have a set of believable and authentic characters taking us on an intense emotional journey. Antigone is smart, stubborn and strong but even when she loses her mind, there is still hope. That makes this film so powerful."
ECFA Competition
Jury: Stella Skiba (Poland), Giancarlo Zappoli (Italy), Johannes Lõhmus (Estonia)
Films in competition: https://www.justfilm.ee/en/movie-posts/ecfa-competition-programe/
ECFA Award for the Best European Children's Film:
BINTI (Belgium)
Director: Frederike Migom
Jury commentary: "The award goes to a movie that expresses sincere emotions, humanistic and ecological values both in challenging and happy moments of life and does so through dance, with energy and overall joy for life."
ECFA jury special mention:
MY BROTHER CHASES DINOSAURS (Italy)
Director: Stefano Cipani
Jury commentary: "The special mention goes to the heartwarming depiction of family values."
Just Film Youth Jury Competition
Jury: Joonas Väli (15 y/o), Grete Kangro (15 y/o), Lili-Ann Bürkland (18 y/o), Maili Kukke (16 y/o), Villem Saar (15 y/o)
Just Film Youth Jury Best Film Award:
CORPUS CHRISTI (Poland)
Director: Jan Komasa
Jury commentary: "An enthralling and heartwarming story about a young man's determination and self-validation. The film is shot enchantingly and it keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end credits. The diversity and masterful acting of the lead are exceptional."
Youth Jury special mention:
ANTIGONE (Canada)
Director: Sophie Deraspe
Jury commentary: "This film deserves recognition for its depiction of current social topics. The protagonists' passionate fight for freedom and justice was unique and inspiring. The family's ability to stay loyal and stick together through tragic times is moving."
Just Film Children's Jury Competition
Jury: Brittany Aasamets (12 y/o), Heleri Pajuste (12 y/o), Kris Prendon Teder (11 y/o), Mona Grete Pärgma (10 y/o) Otto Samuel Kahar (11 y/o)
Just Film Children's Jury Best Film Award:
Cleo: If I Could Turn Back Time (Germany)
Erik Schmitt
Jury commentary: "In our opinion, the winning film had a bit of everything - excitement, drama, comedy and usage of interesting filming techniques and tricks. This film brought up important messages - you cannot live in the past, you must live in the present; care for others because you never know how much time you have with them; do not overthink, otherwise you could miss the adventure of a lifetime."
Children's Jury special mention:
THE SHIP (Mexico)
Director: Batan Silva
Jury commentary: "This film stood out because it told a story that was based on real-life and real problems. It carried a message that we all have dreams that deserve to be fulfilled."
The festival wants to thank all of its sponsors, collaborators, guests and the audience!
Just Film 2019 Grand Prix "Boyz in the Wood". Photo: still from the film
ECFA Award 2019 "Binti". Photo: still from the film
The following grants were announced by the Bulgarian National Film Center successively on 25 September and on 19,26 and 29 November 2019.
