The Erich Pommer Institut (EPI) is thrilled to announce the collaboration between the European Film Business and Law LL.M. | MBA executive master's program at EPI and Alphapanda, a distinguished industry leader in film marketing and distribution. 

Alphapanda is a European digitalmarketingagency for thefilm industry. Since 2011, they have developed an expertise in all areas of film marketing and social media for a variety of films and projects, fromHollywood blockbusters to indie documentaries, from festival darlings to film-related organizations. Their clients include Bankside Films,NEON –Super, Warner, Beta Cinema, Frenetic Films, Filmladen, Curzon,and several independent production, distribution and sales companies.

The Erich Pommer Institut is committed to fostering innovation and excellence in the media and entertainment industry. This partnership with Alphapanda marks a significant step forward in its mission to provide students with high-level educational opportunities and industry connections, as well as to work on developing new marketing and business strategies based on the knowledge acquired during the first year of classes. The program already has the kind support of MUBI and Rushlake Media as partners. 

Katriina Miola, Project Manager of the European Film Business and Law LL.M. | MBA executive master's program: “Building on our existing partnerships with Rushlake Media and MUBI, we are excited to welcome Alphapanda into our growing network of industry collaborators. Alphapanda's expertise in film promotion and distribution is outstanding, making them an ideal partner for our program.” 

Valentina Neumann (Managing Director) & Mathias Noschis (Head of Strategies): “We are very excited to start this partnership with Erich Pommer Institut, which we know from experience is one of the leading training organisations in Europe. Alphapanda has always valued innovation and being as close as possible to the needs of the market. Therefore,being able to collaborate with some participants of the MBA, who are top professionals from all over Europe, will give a real added value to our film marketing offer.”

For more information about the European Film Business and Law Master's Program, please visit the website.

Applications for the 3rdedition of European Film Business and Law LL.M. | MBAare open until July 31 here. Register here for the upcoming online info session on April 10to receive more information on the program.

The master’s is a joint project by the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, University of Potsdam and the Erich Pommer Institut.

Contact

Katriina Miola
Project Manager European Film Business and Law LL.M. | MBA
+49 (0) 331769 915-28 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The call for projects for the Young Horizons Industry forum is open until 19 April. We are waiting forThe call for projects for the Young Horizons Industry forum is open until 19 April. We are waiting forsubmissions of full-length films and series projects for young audiences, at various stages ofdevelopment and production. For the first time, we also invite creators to submit their completed filmsto the Young Horizons International Film Festival.

The goal of the forum is simple: to help creators connect with potential partners. By bringing together projects and industry players, we are creating a space where you can exchange ideas and form partnerships.

20 projects, live-action, animated, documentary, and transmedia, will be presented in front of more than 300 international guests within the sections: In Development, Work in Progress, Market Presentation.  

Each presentation will be accompanied by a Q&A session with experts and individual meetings with producers, sales agents, distributors or broadcasters.

Selected projects will be chosen by a selection committee consisting of: Fiona van Heemstra, Screenwriter, Moritz Hemminger, Head of Sales & Acquisitions at The Playmaker, Anna Waśniewska-Gill, Producer and Partner at WONDER X, Marina Narishkin, Expert in the Business of Entertainment, Serial Entrepreneur, IP Brand Builder, Dunja Karlovsek, Editor of children’s shows and Media Psychologist, RTV Slovenija, Tim Biedert, Production & Development Executive.

More information about the call and the application form can be found at: https://industry.younghorizons.pl/submit-your-project/

The call for projects for Young Horizons Industry runs until 19 April. 

There is a little bit more time to submit your completed short or full-length film for audiences aged 4 to 16, to the Young Horizons Festival. For details on how to submit films to the festival, please visit: https://festiwal.mlodehoryzonty.pl/en/news/call-for-entries-to-the-11th-young-horizons-iff-is-now-open/

The call for films for Young Horizons Festival runs until 15 May.

…………………………………………

The 8th international co-production forum for films and series for young audiences will take place in Warsaw and online, from 30 September to 2 October 2024. 

Young Horizons Industry is a co-production forum and meeting hub for film professionals who are passionate about making films and series for young audiences. 

In addition to project presentations and 1:1 meetings, the event programme includes panel discussions, workshops, training and networking programmes for emerging producers, film school students and fresh graduates, script and marketing consultations. 

The Forum is part of the Young Horizons International Festival (28.09-6.10.2024), which has been held in Warsaw and Wrocław and other Polish cities for 11 years. Since 2020, festival films can also be viewed during the online edition. 

Both events are organised by Young Horizons, a key branch of the New Horizons Association. It is responsible for distributing and supporting high-quality films and series for young audiences.

 Young Horizons Industry is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute and Creative Europe MEDIA. 

On the occasion of the 74^th Berlinale, the 20 contributors to the European Solidarity Fund for Ukrainian Films made official its renewal for a second year on 20th February.

Endowed with €1.5 million, i.e. €300,000 more than in 2023, this multilateral programme, coordinated by the CNC, aims to support works by Ukrainian filmmakers whose projects have been interrupted since the outbreak of Russian aggression on Ukrainian soil or for whom it is difficult to launch new projects in this context.
The Fund also aims to encourage creative and technical exchanges between professionals from the contributing countries and Ukrainian professionals through co-productions.

When it was launched a year ago at the 73rd Berlinale, the Fund was financed by thirteen European countries and the EFAD association (European Film Agency Directors). Today, the association and 19 European ministries and national film funds participate in its financing. In December 2023, four new members joined as contributors: the Bulgarian National Film Center, the National Film Institute of Hungary, the National Film Center of Latvia and the Spanish ICAA.

Three films supported by the Fund in competition at the Berlinale

In its first year, the Fund issued two calls for entries and supported 29 projects announced at the last Cannes Film Festival. Three of these works will be presented at the Berlinale: The Editorial Office by Roman Bondarchuk (post-production), presented as part of the Berlinale Forum; Antonivka by Kateryna Gornostai (development), presented at the co-production market and Screaming Girl by Antonio Lukich (development), presented at the co-production market and winner of the Eurimages prize.

In order to continue to encourage co-productions between Ukrainian companies and those established in a contributing country, two specific calls are being launched from 21st February 2024: the first is dedicated to projects in the development phase (application from 21st February to 5th April) and the second concerns projects in the finalisation phase (application from 21st February to 15th March). The projects selected will be chosen by a committee of seven independent experts.

The Národní filmový archiv, Prague is pleased to announce the international premiere of the digitally restored film MURDERING THE DEVIL at the 53rd Rotterdam International Film Festival. This extraordinary film will be screened in the Cinema Regained section. 

MURDERING THE DEVIL, originally released in 1970, is the directing debut of Ester Krumbachová. This legendary production and costume designer and screenwriter was a co-author of dozens of films, especially during the Czechoslovak New Wave era. Krumbachová, as the author of this film, had complete control over the film, which thus demonstrates her style as an artist. She handles gender stereotypes and quotations of various stories, fairy tales and myths with cruelty, subtlety and subversive humor.

More about the film and the filmmakers.

The digital restoration of MURDERING THE DEVIL is released by the Národní filmový archiv, Prague. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for booking this film as well as other classic Czech and Czechoslovak films. 

MURDERING THE DEVIL
29 Jan 2024, 4.15 pm
LantarenVenster 2
Public

you can buy tickets here

The CEE Animation Forum, the largest pitching and networking event in Central and Eastern Europe dedicated to the animated projects, took place on 8^th and 9^th November. A total of 28 projects were presented in the 4 main competitions, with the juries presenting awards to a total of 12 animated works.

The project selection for CEE Animation Forum 2023 boasts an impressive lineup, featuring a diverse range of animated content across various categories. The total budget of all 28 pitching projects reaches a staggering €29 million, showcasing the ambitious scale and potential impact of these productions. To cater to different target demographics, the selection includes 8 projects for children up to 10 years old, 6 projects for teenagers, 8 projects for young adults, and 7 projects aimed at adult audiences.

“I am very proud of every team on the stage – from debuting students fearlessly stepping in front of a professional audience for the first time, to experienced filmmakers unveiling a multitude of highly ambitious projects. Their creativity and courage defined the essence of our CEE Animation Forum," said Marta Jallageas, managing director of the CEE Animation Forum.

Financial support for the event was provided by the Czech Film Fund, Ministry of Culture Czech Republic, Audiovisual Producers´ Association (Czech Republic), Pilsen Region (Czech Republic) and the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest.

LIST OF WINNERS

AUDIENCE AWARD

• My Little Heroes (d. Javier Galán, p. Ivan Agenjo, Peekaboo Animation, Fabrique Fantastique, Spain, Belgium)

CATEGORY FEATURE FILMS

• Winner: Nine Lives Left (d. Zacharias Mavroeidis, p. Maria Kontogianni, Wild at Heart, Greece)

Jury statement: We feel the potential of the story (at least we are going to discover what cats think of us!). But we feel this is not around the travel between childhood and teenager more about what we want for our life.

CATEGORY SERIES/TV SPECIAL

• Winner: Rainy Days (d. and p. Ani Antonova Hristova, Austria, Bulgaria)

Jury statement: We decided to give main Award to Rainy days for its great potential and unusual main character. We see the project as very original and poetic. We also appreciate the

personal aspect, since it’s female family business, artistic cooperation of two generations.

• Special Mention: Dolls (d. Joachim Hérissé, p. Stéphanie Launay, Komadoli Studio, France)

Jury statement: We decided to award 'Dolls' with a Special Mention for its quality and originality. We appreciated its connection to the tradition of Czech puppet animation. We consider the project very artsy, a counterpart to consumerism, and also a very personal endeavor.

CATEGORY SHORT FILMS

• Winner: Nightbloom (d. Kata Gugić, p. Vanja Andrijević, Bonobo Studio, Croatia)

Jury statement: For the quality of the artists' research, their originality, and their capacity to experiment with narrative through the creation of an entertaining and pop universe.

• Special Mention: Be Still My Heart (d. Melinda Kádár, p. Bella Szederkényi, CUB Animation, Hungary)

Jury statement: For the vulnerability of the process, the clarity of vision and risk taking, as an encouragement to push the surreal element further and deeper.

CATEGORY RISING STARTS

• Winner: Stuck in the Wasp Nest (d. Agnes Milla Bereczki, p. Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonia)

Jury statement: The jury was impressed by the professional presentation and the author’s ability to process a personal trauma with honesty and humor. They were captivated by its original visuals and clear storytelling.

• Special Mention: It´s (Not) Yours (d. Santiago Ordoñez, p. Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonia)

Jury statement: This film tells a deep story with a minimalistic style. The jury was impressed by the maturity and the strong atmosphere behind, as well as by the expressive sound design that complemented the graphic visuals.

CEE Animation Workshop

• Riamise (d. Francesco Forti, p. Federico Turani, Ibrido Studio, Italy)

Ciclic Residency

• Nightbloom (d. Kata Gugić, p. Vanja Andrijević, Bonobo Studio, Croatia)

TV Paint

• Eruption (d. Zoe Nagy, p. MOME Anim – Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design, Hungary)

Cartoon Movie – direct access

• Hawl (d. Joanna Jasińska-Koronkiewicz, p. Anna Mroczek, Wojtek Leszczyński, Przemysław Pilarczyk, Likaon / WJT, Poland)
• MouMoush – the King of Plastic (d. Milorad Krstic, p. Radmila Roczkov, Hermina Roczkov, Hungary)

Young Horizons Industry – direct access

• Rainy Days (d. and p. Ani Antonova Hristova, Austria, Bulgaria)

Animarkt Stop Motion Forum – direct access

• Dolls (d. Joachim Hérissé, p. Stéphanie Launay, Komadoli Studio, France)

While the 25th anniversary edition of connecting cottbus (8-10 Nov 2023), the East-West co-production market at FilmFestival Cottbus, is still underway, the award winners out of the 13 cocoPITCH and 6 cocoWIP projects were already announced during tonight’s ceremony:
 
The cocoPITCH Audience Award went to the best pitch presentation of a project in development, voted for by all industry participants. The audience chose EXCAVATORS, presented by director Argyro Nicolaou and producer Constantinos Nikiforou (Caretta Films, Cyprus), who receive a cash prize of €1,500.
 
This year’s cocoPITCH jury was comprised of Laurin Dietrich (WOLF Consultants), Paul Thiltges (Paul Thiltges Distributions) and Olena Yershova (Tato Film), who deliberated on three awards:
 
The Avanpost Pitch Packaging Award was handed out to EXCAVATORS, presented by director Argyro Nicolaou and producer Constantinos Nikiforou (Caretta Films) from Cyprus. Romanian post-production outfit Avanpost will provide the project with in-kind services up to €15,000, which may include strategy consulting, the project look-book as well as production/post-production for a proof of concept. The jury decided “to give the award to a team who touched us with a personal, strong pitch that at the same time made clear how relevant and universal their film will be. A story of intergenerational trauma and how to find your own position to tell it.”
 
The Croatian Audiovisual Centre presented the HAVC Project Development Award, a €5,000 cash award towards the further development of one project. It went to MY WORLD UPSIDE DOWN by director/producer Daniel Rihák and producer Martina Saková (WHAT IF Films, Slovakia & Projector23, Germany). The jury chose “a project that touched us with its courageous handling of a delicate topic, in a humorous and engaging pitch and teaser. We are convinced that this well-defined story with its heart in the right place will emotionally connect with audiences.”
 
The Producers Network Award, consisting of free accreditation to the Producers Network at the Marché du Film in Cannes 2024, went to Victoria Mitreva (Portokal/Garti Films, Bulgaria), the producer of cocoPITCH project RESONANCE, directed by Yordan Petkov. The jury stated: “A Western with an East European sensibility, this project convinced us with a subtle and visually beautiful exploration of life in the tension between community and staying true to your own convictions.”
 
The MIDPOINT Consulting Award went to three cocoPITCH projects, each receiving an in-depth script consultancy. The winners, announced by MIDPOINT‘s programme coordinator Soňa Morgenthalová, are AT YOUR SERVICE (presented by director German Golub & producer Evelin Penttilä/Stellar Film, Estonia), PYRRHIC (presented by director Cosmin Nicolae & producer Dana Boghean-Melconian/Icon Production, Romania) and TACTILE UNIVERSE (presented by director Szilárd Bernáth & producer András Muhi/Focus Fox, Hungary).
 
The 2023 cocoWIP jury was comprised of Kathrin Kohlstedde (FilmFest Hamburg), Lorena Morín (MECAS Market/Splitscreen), Lukáš Moudrý (Studio Beep) as well as Waheed Zamani and Robert Wunsch of D-Facto Motion. They deliberated on two awards:
 
Sponsored by German post-production studio D-Facto Motion, the D-Facto Motion WIP Award of €35,000 in-kind services plus €5,000 for additional expenses went to the work in progress BORDERWALL, presented by director Ignas Jonynas and producer Ruta Adelė Jekentaitė (Baltic Productions, Lithuania).
 
BORDERWALL also received the Studio Beep Sound Post-Production Award, consisting of €6.000 in-kind services sponsored by the high-end studios based in the centre of Prague. The jury “are happy to award one movie with powerful cinematography, a mysterious character and a cage of birds. A gripping story that intrigued us in such way that we want to see it finished immediately.”
 
Congratulations to all the winners!

The European Arthouse Cinema Day (EACD) is the worldwide day of action for arthouse cinemas around the globe. Over 600 venues in almost 40 countries (spanning from Europe to South Korea and Mexico) will celebrate cinemas and European filmmaking creating the largest international platform of its kind to showcase their unique contributions to cultural diversity.
 
For the 8^th time, participating cinemas across the world are inviting their audiences to experience the vibrant cultural force of cinema. This one-day global event, spearheaded by the International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas (CICAE), features a host of special events and screenings. They include premieres, previews, Q&As with filmmakers, actors and special guests as well as tailored programmes and special screenings for children and young audiences. Last year, around 60,000 viewers attended over 250 films during EACD events alone.

İlker Çatak, Isabel Coixet, and Matteo Garrone are the ambassadors of this year's European Arthouse Cinema Day.
 
EACD ambassador İlker Çatak: “Great films teach us to look beyond ourselves. They open windows onto a new world of different stories and perspectives. Cinemas are the classrooms in which we get to glimpse a myriad of different emotions and experiences. Join us for European Arthouse Cinema Day to celebrate diverse film and cinema culture and the theatres that give them a home”.
 
Among the centralised EACD events organised by the CICAE and its national member associations is the Swedish premiere of Ilker Çatak's THE THEACHERS’ LOUNGE. It will be released at the Stockholm Film Festival and in over 20 Swedish cinemas on European Arthouse Cinema Day. Italian film director Matteo Garrone presents his new film ME CAPTAIN at the Arras Film Festival and a live Q&A will be broadcast in numerous other French and Italian cinemas. In France, the premiere of the film LITTLE GIRL BLUE will take place in several cinemas with a live Q&A with director Mona Achache and actress Marion Cotillard. Moreover, the Spanish film director Isabel Coixet will attend the screening of her new film UN AMOR for a film talk, which will also be broadcast to other Spanish cinemas.
 
"In cinema, seduction and seduceability are closely related. Accordingly it is crucial to have a cinema that opens up new perspectives, allows us to discover foreign cultures, and questions, time and again, our established standards," says CICAE president Dr. Christian Bräuer. "This is exactly what arthouse cinemas around the world stand for: curated programmes beyond the mainstream that bring cinematic diversity to the Big Screen. They are united by the certainty that cinema is more than ‘just’ a good film and by an unshakeable belief in the transformative power of the seventh art. This spirit is what we want to celebrate on Sunday and we are delighted that 600 cinemas from almost 40 countries and four continents will once again be taking part in the European Arthouse Cinema Day".
 
The European Arthouse Cinema Day is organised by the CICAE and its member associations and is internationally funded by the Creative Europe MEDIA programme of the European Union, Eurimages, the German Federal Film Board and Europa Cinemas. It partners with the Month of European Film (1 November – 9 December 2023) and the LUX Audience Award.
 
For more information visit www.artcinemaday.org, www.cicae.org or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.