The panel, moderated by Sten Saluveer (Head of NEXT at Marché du Film) will focus on mapping out the current situation in the genre industry, that has - just as the rest of the industry - been experiencing the crushing impact caused of the COVID19 epidemic and the seemingly unstoppable wave of cancellations and curfews halting the whole lifecycle from production, festivals and markets, to theatres and digital releases alike and the already strenuous relations between the studios, platforms, and theatres.
With an estimated more than half a million industry members unemployed around the world, it is clear that the recovery for the film industry will be long. The discussion will study the current situation in the genre industry that has always been expressed as an "out of the box" mentality when it comes to content, financing, production, and squeezing the latest promotional or tech gimmicks to the max to thrill the viewers. Pre-registered viewers can take part in the discussion by asking questions from the participants Annick Mehnert, Todd Brown, Brian Yuzna, Brendan McCarthy, Mortiz Hemminger and Jongsuk Thomas Nam.
Bringing together a festival director, a market runner financier, a duo of acclaimed independent producers and a sales agent, the panel will explore what will become of the festival and market circuit, has genre invaded the VOD and what to make or not make of the digital giant’s entry to the indie streaming landscape.
Karlo Funk, coordinator of the European Genre Forum said: “We’ve seen it on the screen a lot, but now it’s like we have to go to the dark cellar ourselves to face the monster. European Genre Forum has been aiming to be a beacon of guidance for encouraging filmmakers and their projects, but now it seems the whole genre industry needs one. We are hoping this chat will offer some guidance for the industry and we are extremely grateful for the distinguished professionals who will join the discussion!”
Speakers:
Annick Mahnert - Director, Frontieres co-production market (SP/CAN)
Todd Brown - Producer (“Vivarium”, “Mandy”), Partner, XYZ Films (tbc) (CAN/USA)
Brian Yuzna - Producer, "Reanimator" (USA)
Brendan McCarthy - Screenwriter, Producer "Vivarium" (IR)
Moritz Hemminger - Deputy Head of Sales & Acquisitions, Arri MEDIA (DE)
Jongsuk Thomas Nam - Director, Network of Asian Fantastic Films / BiFan (KR)
Moderator:
Sten Saluveer - Head of NEXT, Marche du Film
To ensure the maximum quality of the viewing experience and to enable participants to ask questions from the speakers and make comments, we recommend you to pre-register and attend the event in the official environment and not via the streams. The instructions will be sent to you after registering.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/interactive-panel-fight-or-fright-opportunities-for-the-genre-industry-tickets-104312345032
The event will be streamed live at the following pages:
https://www.facebook.com/tallinnblacknightsff/
https://www.facebook.com/hoffestival/
www.poff.ee
www.hoff.ee
Friday, 8th of May, 5pm EET
European Genre Forum is a training platform connecting upcoming European film talents to help them realise their projects via two talent labs. It is organised by the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Amsterdam Imagine Film Festival and Fantastic Zagreb Film Festival.
https://europeangenreforum.com/
Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival is an annual genre festival organised by the team behind the Tallinn Black Nights Film festival that moved its programme online for this year’s edition – the 15th – running from the 8th until the 10th of May.
Press release with HÕFF 2020 programme: https://mailchi.mp/poff/hoff-goes-online-282135
Annick Mahnert
Jongsuk Thomas Nam
Brendan McCarthy
European Genre Forum pitching session in Tallinn
European Genre Forum logo
