Polsat expands coverage
Poland's pay-TV satellite platform Cyfrowy Polsat announced the addition of a fourth transponder and a 32% increase in its reach to satellite TV homes.
Magyar Telekom projects growth via TV
Hungary's Magyar Telekom reported a slight drop in revemues, but predicts growth in its new media and TV sectors.
The Goat opens the Sofia Film Fest
Georgy Djulgerov's highly anticipated The Goat pemieres to an audience of 4,000 on the opening night of the 13th Sofia Film Festival (March 5-15) before heading into local cinema release.
Three Monkeys sweeps Yesilcam Awards
In its second year, the ‘Turkish Oscar' Yesilcam Awards were dominated by Nuri Bilge Ceylan's Three Monkeys.
Directors head to Cinefondation residence programme
Directors from Poland and Slovenia are among the six young filmmakers chosen for the Cannes' festival La Residence de la Cinefondation.
Modern Times merges Bulgarian holdings
Swedish media company Modern Times Group announced it will merge its broadcasting assets in Bulgaria.
Polish TVP cuts back to avoid losses
Polish public broadcaster TVP announced new budget and structural changes for 2009 that will cut projected losses from 300 to 78 million PLN.
Estonia plans production facilities
Estonia's Ministry of Culture has convened a working group to start planning for the establishment of complex film production facilities, lacking in the country after the demolition of Soviet-era state…
Modern treasure hunt documentary in the works
Polish Bow & Axe Entertainment has lined up an international co-production with the working title Return To Lodz. Pandora's Box.
Four Central European countries on piracy watch list
The International Intellectual Property Alliance has placed Hungary, Romania, Poland and Bulgaria on its annual piracy watch list.
Young Bulgarian directors prep films
Out of 12 feature film projects supported by the National Film Center last year, nine belong to first time directors, with only three films headed by veteran directors.
Two Czech animated films head to cinemas
After the success of two Fimfarum movies, classic Czech puppet and marionette animation is undergoing a renaissance with two full-length classic animated movies in production for release in 2009.
Šterk’s Offside in postproduction
Igor Šterk (Ljubljana, Tuning, and Ekspres, Ekspres) has moved into post-production with Offside, with plans for a national premiere at the 12th Festival of Slovenian film in autumn 2009.
Wedding in Basarabia moves into postproduction.
The romantic comedy Wedding in Basarabia, a Romanian/Moldovan/Luxembourg co-production by Napoleon Helmis, is now in postproduction.
Cuts in film funding for 2009 in Latvia
Cuts in the state budget have reduced the support administered by the National Film Centre of Latvia for film production and development in 2009 to €3,110,000.
Hungarian-Irish co-operation agreement signed
A bilateral agreement was signed during the Berlinale between the Irish Film Board (www.irishfilmboard.ie) and the Motion Picture Public Foundation of Hungary (www.mmka.hu).
Bulgarian films find international buyers
Three Bulgarian productions and co-productions are on their way to international distribution, following the EFM in Berlin.
New cinema chain planned for Baltics
New Europe Cinemas plans to open its first in a chain of cinemas in Latvia in August 2009.
TVN posts profits, but sees 4th quarter decline
Poland's leading commercial broadcaster TVN posted a 22% increase in revenues in 2008, but saw fourth quarter losses of over 30%.
Intersonic nominated for Cartoon Movie award
Slovak distribution company Intersonic has been nominated for Best European Distributor by the European Association of Animation Films for its Cartoon Movie Tributes.
