Great news from Nashville: Grand Jury Prize + awards for both main actors!
“A Trip (Izlet),” director Nejc Gazvoda’s story of the tension and conflict that arises when high school friends try to recapture their youth with a trip to the seaside, wowed the New Directors Competition jury, guided by actor Michael Chieffo (“Disclosure,” “Crimson Tide,” “Beginners”); renowned and prolific actress Beth Grant, the only actor in history to have appeared in three Academy Award winning Best Pictures and a Best Animated Feature, and Joe Pacheco, award-winning filmmaker of “After the Fall” and an Emmy-nominated cinematographer. The film not only picked up the New Directors Competition Grand Jury prize, but grabbed the jury’s award for Best Actor (Jure Henigman), Best Actress (Nina Rakovec) and a Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Cast.
New Directors Competition
Grand Jury Prize: “A Trip (Izlet)” (Nejc Gazvoda / Slovenia)
Co-Honorable Mention: “Welcome to Pine Hill” (Keith Miller / USA) and “Foreign
Letters” (Ela Thier / USA)
Best Actor: Jure Henigman, “A Trip (Izlet)”
Best Actress: Nina Rakovec “A Trip (Izlet)”
Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Cast: “A Trip (Izlet)”
In My Father's Bike, premiering at the Gdynia Polish Film Festival (www.fpff.pl), Piotr Trzaskalski portrays three generations of men who are trying to explore their relationships as a grandfather, father and grandson.
Prague, April 30, 2012 – Director Michaela Pavlátová is the second confirmed Czech producer to participate in the official programme of the Cannes International Film Festival. Her animated film Tram, a Czech-French co-production, will be presented in the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs selection.
Czech cinematography will be represented at the approaching Cannes film festival and film market in several activities. The Czech Film Center is the official representative of Czech cinematography at the film market and will again take up its traditional place among the pavilions of the leading international film nations in the Village International. The Czech representation will provide visitors with current information about Czech films, the infrastructure of the Czech film industry, Czech experience with and opportunities for international co-productions, and services for international film productions.
As in past years, the Czech Republic will share a pavilion with Slovakia, but this year in a new location (Pavilion 132).
Also this year, the Czech Republic has a representative in annual Producers on the Move event in Cannes, organized by European Film Promotion, of which the Czech Film Center is a member.
Young filmmakers taking part in Producers on the Move spend three days introducing themselves and their current projects to other participants and to international professionals in informal meetings, pitching forums and round tables. For this first time, the event this year includes one-to-one meetings with European producers. The event aims to introduce promising producers and offer them opportunities to present themselves at the international film market and find partners for new co-production projects.
Producer Ondřej Zima of Evolution Films, which he co-founded in 2006, is the Czech Producer on the Move 2012. Zima began as a production assistant (Peace To Their Soul, Shark In The Head) then as a production manager on several features and shorts (Bubblebath Is Best, Short Long Journey, Suchá Hora). His first features as producer were The Baluty Ghetto (2008) and Frankie Is A Womanizer (2008), followed by Czech-Slovak co-production Lóve (2011) and Don’t Stop (2012). He has also released several short- and medium-length films and served as executive producer on the successful TV show Okresní prebor and its feature adaptation, Sunday League. He is currently preparing the features Hotel Prague (director Zdeněk Viktora) and Raportér (director Jakub Sommer) and the documentary Sexuální výchova v Čechách (director Dagmar Smržová).
Czech films in Cannes – Two Czech films will screen at the Festival de Cannes this year.
Tambylles is the work of director Michal Hogenauer, a graduate of the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU). Hogenauer’s film will screen Friday, May 25, in the Cinéfondation student competition selection. Tambylles is a dramatic story about a young man with criminal past who is looking for a new path in life. The Czech Film Center is financially supporting the promotion of the film at Cannes.
The top three winners of the Cinéfondation competition will receive cash awards of €15,000, €11,500 and €7,500 for their next films. The top film will be presented at the Cannes International Film Festival. Zuzana Kirchnerová Špidlová’s short film Bába won the Cinéfondation competition in 2009. Other FAMU graduate films to screen in Cinéfondation in the past include Cagey Tigers (2011, dir. Aramisova) and Naus (2008, dir. Lukáš Glaser).
Director Michaela Pavlátová’s short film Tram will screen in Quinzaine des réalisateurs. A Czech-French co-production between Negativ and Sacrebleu Productions, the film tells a slightly erotic story about the fantasies of a tram conductor. The film is the pilot for Sacrebleu’s Sexperiences story project.
The Czech Film Center invites journalists in Cannes to visit the new Czech-Slovak pavilion, No. 132, in the Village International.
Contact:
Phone: +420 221 105 398
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.filmcenter.cz
PRESS RELEASE
Estonian Film 100
28.04.2012
Estonian Filmwill celebrate its 100th birthday on 30 April 2012. In order tohonour this special event, the spectacular Estonian Film Celebration of theCentury will take place in Tartu, the birthplace of Estonian filmmaking. Therewill be a live broadcast of the anniversary celebrations on the EstonianNational Television. At the event, the most beloved Estonian feature film ofall times will be announced, music from classic Estonian films will beperformed and film awards will be presented. The awards are untraditional –instead of referring to the cinematic highlights of the previous year, theawards point out the peak moments of Estonian film during the last 100 years ina humorous way: amongst other awards, the most dazzling film stars, the bestpieces of film music and the funniest film quotes of the century will beannounced.
The nomineesof the film awards:
http://ef100.ee/Eesti_film_100/The_Nominees.html
The eventwill take place on Monday, 30 April at Dorpat Convention Centre and CinamonCinema in Tartu. Doors will open at 18:30.
30 April 1912can be considered the birthday of Estonian film. That was the day when JohannesPääsuke (1892-1918), the pioneer of cinematography, pointed his newly purchasedcamera towards the sky and focused its lens on the flying machine that flewover Tartu. Estonian film survived the long Soviet period when numerous films,each of which carried the severe seal of ideological repression, were made.Independence came once more and filmmaking found itself on a new economic base,which barely enabled survival. As for today, the small Estonian film industryhas re-established itself: our films have found an audience in their homelandand gained recognition at international film festivals. In addition to creatingsomething new, we try to find resources to restore old films, to investigateand maintain our film history and to develop our film and cinema culture.
A shortoverview of the 100 years of the Estonian film:
http://estonia.eu/about-estonia/culture-a-science/estonian-film.html
***
Contact:
Katrin Maimik
EstonianFilm 100
PublicRelation Manager
+37256502721
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://ef100.ee/Eesti_film_100/English.html
FNE exclusive: Q&A with Tudor Giurgiu - Head of Romanian Film Promotion and of Transylvania IFF
Romania 02-05-2012FNE: As a president of Romanian Film Promotion (www.romfilmpromotion.ro), which is organizing annualy the Gopo Gala (www.premiilegopo.ro) celebrating the Romanian film industry, what do you think it was the most important development in the Romanian film industry in 2011?
Prague, April 4 2012 - The Czech Film Center has prepared several activities for this year’s Finále Plzeň - the festival of Czech films. The traditional presentation of Upcoming feature and animated films, which the Czech Film Center (CFC) is organizing for the 11th time, will take place April 27. The presentation is the most detailed and comprehensive overview of Czech films of various genres in progress and is accompanied by the release of a detailed catalogue.
CFC celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and is significantly enriching its activities within the framework of this year’s Finále Plzeň. CFC focuses on the constant support and presentation of Czech cinema, especially abroad; the significant support of the presence of domestic films and filmmakers at international festivals; and connecting Czech filmmakers, producers and distributors with foreign partners.
Within the newly introduced Industry Days at Finále Plzeň, three thematic panels are scheduled for April 26 and 28. This year’s focus is on Polish cinematography and contacts between Czech and Polish filmmakers, producers, distributors and cultural professionals. Czech and Polish representatives will discuss the topics of financing, laws and inter-regional cooperation as well as new forms of film distribution. The panels are kindly supported by Polish Film Institute and CzechTourism agency.
The Long Night of Short Films, which has a shorter but equally interesting tradition, will take place April 26 at Měštanská beseda. Young directors will present six selected short films from the recently released DVD, Czech Short Films 2012, Vol. 3.
Czech Film Center Events
Presentation of Upcoming feature and animated films
Producers and other members of creative teams will present about 20 new domestic feature and animated films that have not yet been released. The presentation will include the traditional catalogue of works in progress, the new edition of which will be presented to the public for the first time at Finále Plzeň. The catalogue is divided into three phases: projects in development, in production and in post-production. Beginning this year, the catalogue will also include new categories of information.
Date: April 27, 10am-2pm
Place: Malý sál, Měšťanská beseda
Moderator: Tomáš Baldýnský (publicist and screenwriter)
Presenting: Producers will present their projects (approximately 20) in seven-minute blocs
Target audience: Producers, journalists, foreign guests of the festival
Panel I: Polish experience and Czech expectations: Financing Polish and Czech cinematography today
Panelists will discuss a new Czech audiovisual law and the current law on the Czech State Fund as well as the experiences of the Polish Film Institute, which was established seven years ago by a new Polish law on cinematography.
Date: April 26, 10am-12pm
Place: Taneční sál, Měšťanská beseda
Moderator: Tomáš Baldýnský (publicist and screenwriter)
Panelists: Jacek Bromski (director, chairman of the Filmmakers’ Association, tbc), Agnieszka Odorowicz (director of the Polish Film Institute, tbc), Tereza Csesany Dvořáková (member of the Council of the State Fund for Support and Development of Czech cinematography, Pavel Berčík (producer, Evolutions Film)
Target audience: New members of the Council of the State Fund, producers, journalists, festival guests
Panel II: Support of film production in regions and possibilities of using film to market destinations
The panel will present several years of experience among regional film offices and funds in Poland and will discuss the opportunities and interest of regions in the Czech Republic. Regional support of film production is common in European countries – film offices offer logistical support, and films with a regional aspect are subsidized through regional funds. There are 11 regional and municipal funds and offices in Poland which provided film productions approximately CZK 61 million (EUR 2.5 million) in support in 2011, in addition to logistical support.
Date: April 26, 2pm-4pm
Place: Taneční sál, Měšťanská beseda
Moderator: Ludmila Claussová (Czech Film Commission)
Panelists: Rafał Bubnicki (Lower Silesia Film Fund), Monika Głowacka (Łódź Film Commission), Adéla Koudelová/Hana Cívelová (City of Ostrava, Dept. of Economic Development), Alena Horáková (Destination Management Agency East Bohemia)
Target audience: Representatives of regions, towns and districts; destination agencies, producers, journalists, festival guests
Panel III: Ways to attract viewers, or How to survive as a distributor at present
The role of film distributors is changing. Presenting in cinemas is no longer enough. Distributors also co-produce, handle international sales, run cinemas and organize festivals. Participants of the panel will discuss possibilities and new approaches of Czech and Polish distribution companies.
Date: April 28, 10am-12pm
Place: Taneční sál, Měšťanská beseda
Moderator: Dominika Prejdová (Czech Center Warszaw)
Panelists: Jakub Duszyński (distributor, Gutek film), Přemysl Martínek (distributor Artcam), Petr Zelenka (director and screenwriter).
Target audience: Distributors, producers, journalists, festival guests
Long Night of Short Films
For the third time, the Czech Film Center presents a series of short films at Finále Plzeň, including a selection of six titles from the new DVD, Czech Short Films 2012, Vol. 3. The DVD presents all genres and film schools in Prague, Písek and Zlín. The filmmakers will present their films in person in Plzeň. A collection of films from the Institute of Art and Design at the University of West Bohemia in Plzeň will follow the CFC program. In the evening, audience members will have an opportunity to speak with the young filmmakers about their work and current Czech film.
The screening will take place on April 26 from 8pm at Taneční sál of Měšťanské beseda.
Czech Short Films 2012 was released in January as the third edition of the DVD of selected works, which CFC launched in 2010. With the addition of Spanish subtitles, this year’s DVD is accessible in four languages, giving it a greater opportunity of being used by international festivals. CFC presented the collection for the first time at the International Short Film Festival in Clermont-Ferrand in January, thanks to which approximately 20 international festivals have already expressed interest in the films.
Short Films presented in Plzeň:
Písně kosmické (Cosmic Songs)/ Katarína Dědičová / live action / FAMO / 10 min.
A film about the desire to answer the question whether life really exists in the universe, and also about such worldly emotions as love and friendship.
Blízký přítel (Close Friend) / Pavel Soukup / animated / Academy of Arts (VŠUP) / 6 min.
An animated film about a lonely old woman, her very strange friend and even stranger decision.
5 Kč (5 Crowns) / Marek Ciccotti / documentary / FAMO / 14 min.
A documentary probing the territory of public toilets and their women caretakers in areas of Prague’s metro.
Neplavci (Non-swimmers) / Jakub Šmíd / live action / FAMU / 23 min.
This graduation-thesis documentary tells the story of a vacation at a deserted recreational center, where nothing happens at all. During the long wait, however, it is possible to experience a bitter summer love.
Jáma (The Hollow) / Jiří Stejskal / documentary / Tomas Bata University in Zlín / 23 min.
A documentary depicting the life of a Ukrainian family who does not comply with today’s way of life. Where the old meets the new, where something unique transforms, a conflict arises.
Dezert (Dessert) / Anna Mastníková / animated / VŠUP / 4 min.
A short animated film about three forms of love in which partners cut down, flirt with and eat one another. In the leading roles, spaghetti and whipped cream in a special restaurant…
Contact:
Phone: +420 221 105 398
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
„LOSING SONIA” AND „3 DAYS OF FREEDOM”
PREMIERE AT VISIONS DU RÉEL
Two documentaries produced by Wajda Studio, "Losing Sonia" by Radka Franczak and "3 Days of Freedom", by Łukasz Borowski, were selected for the programme of the 18th Visions du Réel Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, which starts today.
"Losing Sonia" is the latest production of Wajda Studio (co-produced by Otter Films Anna Wydra), whose world premiere will take place at this year's Visions du Réel Festival (20 - 27 April), where the film will be screened in the International Competition for Middle Length Films. The Radka Franczak documentary shows how a seemingly rigid monastery can be a place full of life, beauty and artistic expression. Sonia, a young nun, paints icons in the night and then sleeps until noon. She has a dog, cats, exotic birds, and a body that rebelled against the strict rigour of the monks. Trying to understand her and the meaning of her life choices, we come to Sonia’s family, marked with the history of Russia. At the same time, the film is a journey inside the Orthodox church, showing that the deep spirituality of the nation is being reborn. "Losing Sonia" tells the story of an unusual woman who, within the walls of the monastery, is trying to rebuild the values that Russian society has lost under successive political regimes.
"Losing Sonia" is Radka Franczak's debut middle length film production. The director alludes to the topic of her previous short documentary film – "Stiepan"
(produced by Wajda Studio, 2006), which was a record of a conversation
with a random traveller at the train station in Terespol. In 13 minutes,
a 75-year-old Russian recounts his life story – the story of a deeply
religious man who, despite severe persecutions, refused to renounce his
beliefs.
One of the five cameramen is Michael Ackerman, an American photographer known for his radical and unique approach to photography.
Screenings of “Losing Sonia” at Visions du Réel:
· April 22nd, 2:30pm
cinema Capitole 1
· April 23rd, 2pm
cinema Capitole 2
“3 Days of Freedom”, dir. Łukasz Borowski
"3 Days of Freedom" is a short documentary that will be presented in the International Competition, which will be its European premiere. The
protagonist is Peter, who, after a long stay in prison, receives a
three-day pass, during which he will have to decide what is most
important in his life. So
far, the film has already received the Grand Prix of the Etiuda &
Anima Festival in Krakow (in the etude section) and the Best Polish
Short Film Award at the "New Horizons" Festival in Wroclaw, for example. In
late March, Łukasz Borowski's documentary had an American premiere at
the International Documentary Film Festival "It's All True" in Brazil.
Screenings of “3 Days of Freedom” at Visions du Réel:
· April 25th, 10pm
cinema Capitole 1
· April 26th, 10am
cinema Capitole 2
The Visions du Réel Festival is one of the most prestigious documentary film festivals in Europe. It is worth recalling that it is not the first time that documentaries endorsed by Wajda Studio and Anna Wydra will have their premiere in Nyon. In 2009, there was the international premiere of "Rabbit a la Berlin," by Bartek Konopka and Piotr Rosołowski (produced by MS Films and Otter Films Anna Wydra), for which Bartek Konopka and Anna Wydra were nominated for an Oscar, and 2010 saw the showing of "Dog Hill" by Grzegorz Zariczny (produced by Wajda Studio).
The 31st Istanbul Film Festival organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts under the sponsorship of AKBANK ended on Sunday, 15 April.
Throughout two weeks, a total of 140 thousand cinephiles watched 220 films by 232 directors from 52 countries at 522 screenings grouped under 22 sections, in 7 movie theatres. In addition to the screenings that were realised with 70% occupancy rate, the festival featured twelve master classes, panel discussions, a special concert, and a workshop with the participation of the guests of the festival.
Please find the detailed information in the press release attached.
For the hi-res images from the 31st Istanbul Film Festival: iksvpress.com/film2012
FILM SPRING OPEN 2012
FILM SPRING CHANNEL on YOU TUBE.
We are very happy to announce that we have just launched Film Spring Channel on YouTube, where the viewers will be able to see the effects of this year's Film Spring Open-Air 2012.
www.youtube.com/user/
Thanks to our making-of team from TVN Media School we have made a welcoming video of Sławomir Idziak introducing this year's Film Spring Open-Air (workshops and festival). The video is available at the following link:
Slawomir Idziak Film Spring Open
In addition, the channel contains documentaries (making-ofs) from the previous editions, which accurately reflect a creative atmosphere that prevails at Film Spring Open-Air.
This year, apart from a continuation of 3D workshops, documentary workshops, analyzing films made by outstanding filmmakers and developing a new work flow for low-budget films, we will show and learn a new way of filmmaking.
Interactive dramaturgy is the future of cinema. The viewer does not want to be just a passive observer, he wants to be active. Film Spring Open is looking for a new format of a film show and a new way to reach the viewer.
We hope that all films made at Film Spring Open-Air (the effect of our workshops) will reach millions of viewers around the world.
For more information about Film Spring Open-Air: www.filmspringopen.eu
FILM SPRING OPEN 2012
FILM SPRING CHANNEL on YOU TUBE.
We are very happy to announce that we have just launched Film Spring Channel on YouTube, where the viewers will be able to see the effects of this year's Film Spring Open-Air 2012.
www.youtube.com/user/
Thanks to our making-of team from TVN Media School we have made a welcoming video of Sławomir Idziak introducing this year's Film Spring Open-Air (workshops and festival). The video is available at the following link:
Slawomir Idziak Film Spring Open
In addition, the channel contains documentaries (making-ofs) from the previous editions, which accurately reflect a creative atmosphere that prevails at Film Spring Open-Air.
This year, apart from a continuation of 3D workshops, documentary workshops, analyzing films made by outstanding filmmakers and developing a new work flow for low-budget films, we will show and learn a new way of filmmaking.
Interactive dramaturgy is the future of cinema. The viewer does not want to be just a passive observer, he wants to be active. Film Spring Open is looking for a new format of a film show and a new way to reach the viewer.
We hope that all films made at Film Spring Open-Air (the effect of our workshops) will reach millions of viewers around the world.
For more information about Film Spring Open-Air: www.filmspringopen.eu
