The Federation of European Film and TV Directors and the Society of Audiovisual Authors support the Croatian filmmakers’ campaign I’D LIKE TO WATCH THAT – HRT SAYS – NYET! initiated in July 2019. Public service broadcaster HRT has failed to fulfil its obligations regarding the promotion of European audiovisual works while effectively blocking the broadcast of 34 films representing the best of recent independent Croatian documentary production. FERA and SAA have added their voice to that of the Croatian audiovisual community protesting this failure.

Croatian filmmakers look upon this alarming and unprecedented situation as an attempt to silence the free voice of audiovisual creators. The lack of exploitation of their works undermines their professional position, it limits the exposure of their works to an important audience and affects the possibility of the filmmakers to generate income from exploitation rights, as well as their ability to build a sustainable career.

In accordance with the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (2010/13/EU), the Croatian Radio-Television Act states that HRT should reserve a majority proportion of their transmission time for European works, of which 40% should be Croatian language works. In addition, the Act sets out objectives to co-produce audiovisual works contributing to the development of Croatian culture, art and entertainment, and earmarks 15% of the programming budget for the acquisition of independent productions. 

Based on rights’ payments to its members, the Croatian Collective Rights Management Organization DHFR, representing audiovisual authors, reports that HRT has failed to meet these obligations over the last three years. 

This situation puts the entire national audiovisual community under significant pressure by hindering positive industry practices such as co-production, pre-sales, production of national audiovisual works and cultural programming. 

The AVMS Directive and its recent revision including new obligations on on-demand services to promote European works are essential to strengthen the European audiovisual industry competitiveness and promote cultural diversity in Europe. However, Croatian Directors and Producers question the ability of EU Member States to make the most of this new legal framework if they cannot ensure the compliance of national public service broadcasting with their own long-standing obligations. 

With the support of FERA and SAA, Croatian Audiovisual Authors are calling on European institutions to insist on a prompt intervention by Croatian authorities to uphold EU standards and national legislation promoting European audiovisual works.

Background note with more information available to download here: http://www.filmdirectors.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Croatian-AV-Authors-resisting-censorship_Background-information.pdf

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Grand Prix of the New Asian Cinema competition was awarded to "Balloon" directed by Pema Tseden. Special Mention went to "And Your Bird Can Sing" by Sho Miyake.

People's Jury consisted of Robert Jarosz, Igor Kierkosz, Irena Kołtun, Basia Majchrowicz, Aleksander Młyński, Łukasz Mizerski, Paweł Mizgalewicz, Marta Pęcak, Maja Soś, Szymon Szeszuła, Jakub Zawodniak. 

Grand Prix awarded by People's Jury:

Balloon

Qi qiu

dir. Pema Tseden

China 2019

For a precisely constructed tale about the helplessness of an individual who faces multilevel oppression. For presentation of the universal tension between nature and culture in local colouring. For lightness and maturity in the approach to the complex theme. People’s Jury awards the Grand Prix to the film “BALOON” directed by Pema Tseden.

Special Mention awarded by People's Jury:

And Your Bird Can Sing

Kimi no tori wa utaeru

dir. Sho Miyake

Japan 2018

For memorable contemplation of small town spaces and capturing the ephemeral spirit of relations between young people. For a mesmerising atmosphere of the inevitable end of summer.

Five Flavours supports the programme “Witaj w domu” (“Welcome home”) run by Fundacja Ocalenie. We are supporting the collection of funds for the family of Sofia who raises 14-year-old Marina and 5-year-old Mikai in difficult conditions. We encourage our viewers to contribute to the collection of funds at our festival cinemas or support the family through the website of the campaign witajwdomu.org.pl. 

The 13th edition of the festival takes place in Warsaw on 13-20th November.

Organised by: Arteria Art Foundation

Sponsors: Asia Travel, Hong Kong Economics and Trade Office Berlin, HoReCa.

Partners: Capital City of Warsaw, Asian Film Awards Academy, Create HK, HK Film Development Fund, Japan Foundation, Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.

Media patrons: TOK FM, National Geographic Traveler, Pismo, Gazeta Wyborcza, Warszawa.wyborcza.pl, Co jest Grane 24, Papaya.Rocks, Ekrany, KINO, Japoniaonline.pl, Asian Movie Pulse, Eastern Kicks.

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Dear President of the European Council, 

Dear Member States representatives, 

We are writing as a group of (XXX- to be added at a later stage) organisations from across Europe’s cultural and creative sectors ahead of the European Council discussions on the future EU budget. 

At this key juncture of the negotiations on a future EU Multi-Financial Framework (2021-2027), we call on you to support the European Parliament’s proposed budget for the Creative Europe Programme 2021-2027^[2], the only EU framework Programme dedicated to cultural and creative sectors. 

Today, Creative Europe represents a mere 0,15% of the overall EU Budget. This is by no means proportionate to our sectors’ contribution to the EU economy, which stands at €509bn in value added to GDP and over 12 million full-time jobs (7.5 % of the EU’s work force)^[3]. 

Our culture and our talents support artistic freedom and media pluralism, which are crucial for maintaining open, inclusive and creative societies. 

Yet, culture is low on the EU’s political agenda, and these sectors remain structurally underfinanced. The financing gap for Europe’s cultural and creative SMEs alone is estimated to be somewhere between €8bn and €13bn^[4].

This is why we welcome the European Parliament's proposal to increase the Creative Europe budget to €2.8bn. We call on the Council to support this much-needed boost to the future of Europe’s arts, culture and heritage, and the values they promote. 

The contribution of Europe’s cultural and creative sectors to the social, economic and artistic development of Europe fully justifies the added value of EU investment in culture.

Our common values and our unique cultural diversity lie at the center of our collective European project and are the best ambassadors for the EU’s global influence in the world.

Investing in our culture is investing in our future. Let’s show a high level of ambition and shape a brighter future for Europe.

Full press release here.

How European talents in cinema, games and digital content will stay relevant with global competition increasing, how European startup innovators are championing new business models, and how Europe can lead the way in industry diversity actions? Those will be the three main topics on the agenda of the upcoming European Film Forum (EFF), the European Commission's dialogue with stakeholders on Wednesday, 27 November at the 23rd Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

Titled "Industry (R)evolution: Debating Tech, Distribution, and Future Talent for European Cinema," the EFF will be a full-day executive-level public debate and showcase conference taking place at the Industry@Tallinn &; Baltic Event business arm of the A-class festival. The EFF will focus on the global developments that impact the audiovisual industry, from Artificial Intelligence to digital platforms, and will present new initiatives from the creative, diversity, and tech fields for the upcoming 2020+ term of Europe's innovative programmes.

As in previous editions, 19 international film, gaming, content, startups, and diversity leaders will be sharing the stage, including Sander Saar (Strategy and Growth Consultant for Red Bull Media House, formerly the Walt Disney Company), André Bernhardt (Managing Founder at Indieadvisory & Target Games), Helene Granqvist (President of Women in Film & TV International), Lindsay Peters (Executive Director at Frontières), producer Isabelle Glachant (Chinese Shadows), and film editor Isabelle Teitler whose work credits include Darren Aronofsky's mother!. Norwegian documentary director Tonje Hessen Schei along with impact advocate Danielle Turkov Wilson will present and discuss the highly anticipated documentary iHuman providing insights into Artificial Intelligence and the opportunities and threats of this groundbreaking technology for Europe and beyond.

The European Film Forum (EFF) was introduced by the European Commission in its 2014 Communication on European Film in the digital era. It is a platform for structured dialogue between policy makers and stakeholders in the audiovisual sector, travelling around European festivals and aiming to help develop a strategic policy agenda in the framework of the Digital Single Market. The EFF in Tallinn focuses on innovation between cinema, digital, and startup sectors and ties into Estonia's position in digital leadership in the world. 

Lucia Recalde, Head of MEDIA Unit, DG Connect, European Commission, said that the European audiovisual sector has a crucial role to play in our democracy and economy. "It is however undergoing a tremendous shift, being at the forefront of the digital, data and AI revolutions. The European Film Forum is therefore an event not to miss, as it is the place to debate how to scale up the European industry and how to further innovate and compete globally,” she added.

Sten-Kristian Saluveer, Curator of EFFT19 commented that they are delighted to continue our partnership with the European Commission and host the European Film Forum in Tallinn again. "The global challenges facing creators and storytellers in cinema and other content industries are growing everywhere, and especially in the framework of the upcoming 2020+ period of the MEDIA programme, events such as the Film Forum are indispensable to exchange best practices and to set bold innovation to motion for Europe's content business," he added.

The full programme of the European Film Forum 2019 is available at europeanfilmforumtallinn.com.

PHOTOS

European Film Forum in Tallinn 2018 (1)
European Film Forum in Tallinn 2018 (2)
European Film Forum in Tallinn 2018 (3)

Visual of European Film Forum in Tallinn 2019

submission deadline
January 29^th 2020

Apply for six months of intensive editing 
and development of your documentary film aiming for premiere by early autumn 2020: 

/ work with more than 30 world-class 
editors, producers and distributors 
throughout the postproduction period 

/ sharpen the storytelling and maximize 
your film’s international potential 
 
/ get personal feedback on your cut from 
key festival representatives, sales agents and other decision makers 

/ prepare a tailor-made marketing and 
distribution strategy to unfold your film to a wider audience

The whole team, composed of a director, 
a producer and an editor, participates 
in three one-week residential sessions 
(the exact dates will be confirmed): 
 
/ 1^st session (6 days) – rough cut
late April – Slovakia 

/ 2^nd session (6 days) – fine cut 
late June – Czech Republic 

/ 3^rd session (8 days) – near picture lock 
mid-September – Sweden

Apply HERE with your rough cut 
Early bird submission (until January 9^th 2020) is FREE OF CHARGE!

If you want to meet dok.incubator team at IDFA, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

www.dokincubator.net

For the second time, Europa Distribution will be at the IDFA - International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam where it will hold a workshop dedicated to the distribution of documentaries. From November 24th to 26th, around 20 independent distributors, all members of the European network, will participate in an open panel and a closed session of discussion organised in collaboration with IDFA as part of their Industry programme.

On Monday 25th November from 10.00 to 11.30 at the Brakke Grond cultural center, the public panel “SOLO, a one-man-band story and case study” will explore the creation, the production and the distribution of Solo, a documentary on the life and struggle with the mental disease of Martín Perino, an Argentinian pianist. We will be guided through this journey by the producer Petra Oplatkova (Sirena Films, Artcam Films, CZ), who has worked with the director, producer and distributor Artemio Benki to bring this film to life following each single step of the film value chain. The panel will be thus an opportunity to have an in-depth perspective of the life cycle of a film, recognizing the relevance of all the elements that allow a film to exist and circulate. Together with Artemio, Manuela Buono (Slingshot Films, IT), the international sales agent of SOLO, will help us understanding how such a film can be brought to the international audience. The panel discussion will be moderated by Mathias Noschis(Alphapanda, DE).

Europa Distribution members will then hold a closed workshop session on Tuesday 26th November. At this occasion, Julia van Berlo (Cinéart, NL), Jana Trnková(Aerofilms, CZ), Mika Siltala (Cinemamondo, FI), Nille Stormoen (Arthaus, NO), Huub Roelvink (Cherry Pickers, NL), Michael Höfner (Gmfilms, DE), Jennifer Jones (mindjazz pictures, DE), Daan Vermeulen (Cinema Delicatessen, NL) and Kim Foss (Camera Film, DK) will share their experience regarding documentary releases through the analysis of concrete examples and case studies on the following films: Veearts Maaike (NL), Diego Maradona (UK), Becoming Animal (UK, CH), Easy Love (DE), Piazzolla, the Years of the Shark (FR, AG), Amazing Grace (US) and Ask Dr. Ruth (US).

NOTE FOR THE EDITORS: Europa Distribution is the association of independent film distributors, created in 2006.  With about 120 leading independent distributors representing 30 countries in Europe and beyond, it serves as the voice of the sector and acts as a network and a think tank. Since its creation, Europa Distribution has accompanied and reinforced the integration and collaboration process between its members through information, brainstorming and training sessions. The network’s aim is to strengthen the existing ties to improve the curation, promotion and distribution of independent films.

CONTACT: For more information about the presence of Europa Distribution in Amsterdam, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Strasbourg, 13.11.2019 –The 20th edition of this event which opened on the 3 October 2019 comes to a close today with the awarding of honorary prizes to three Eurimages-supported international co-productions:

The Odyssée-Council of Europe Prize for Human Rights 

goes to God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya by Teona Strugar Mitevska, a
co-production between North Macedonia, Slovenia, Belgium, Croatia and France, for the director's ability to stage a story with a universal reach. The central figure of this film is a female character who has the will and courage to stand up to the misogyny prevalent in a society weighed down by religious, institutional and media conformity.

The director skillfully integrates a large number of key topics related to the struggle for human rights into a relatively simple plot: in addition to the central theme of gender equality, which is directly linked to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the film shows the background of doubts and unease when questions of the rights to privacy, to work, to a fair trial and of press freedom are raised. Teona Strugar Mitevska shows how all these struggles are intrinsically linked and how progress on human rights cannot be compartmentalized into different issues but must advance on all fronts simultaneously. 

The Odyssée-Council of Europe Prize for Artistic Creation goes to

Cold War by Pawel Pawlikowski, a co-production between Poland, France and the United Kingdom

for its great artistic and aesthetic quality, the remarkable direction of the actors, and its ability to create an attractive universe representing a loving relationship attuned to the torments of history, a relationship whose relevance remains pertinent today.

Lastly, a Special Mention is awarded to the film Tel Aviv on Fire by Sameh Zoabi, a co-production between Luxembourg, France, Israel and Belgium,

for its cinematographic qualities and its ability to speak tactfully and non-judgmentally about a complex, painful and troubling situation. This film focuses on what is likely to bring the protagonists closer to a dramatic situation rather than away from one.

EURIMAGES is a support fund for cinema co-production, theatrical distribution and exhibition established by the Council of Europe in 1988 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. –http://www.coe.int/Eurimages).

Since it was set up in 1988, EURIMAGES has supported 2 047 co-productions for a total amount of approximately 597 million euros.