NISI MASA is the European Network of Young Cinema, composed of organizations or associations in 26 European or neighboring countries including Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Russia and Ukraine – the local branch in Germany is the Munich Film Society (Münchner Filmwerkstatt). Since 2007, NISI MASA annually holds the European Short Pitch, an initiative aimed at promoting the European coproduction of short films. It combines a scriptwriting workshop in residency and a coproduction forum bringing together scriptwriters and industry professionals from all over Europe. From the previous editions (2007-2012), around 125 projects were presented that have resulted so far in the making of 25 short films – many of them having a successful international career.
NISI MASA is now calling for projects from writers, directors and producers (aged between 18-35 years old) with international short film projects in development. Your nationality or country of residence should be one of the member countries of the MEDIA Program (European Union + Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). European Short Pitch will also select up to 3 projects from non-member countries of the MEDIA Program where NISI MASA has a member organization. The deadline is 30th September, before midnight! All submitted projects will be evaluted in a two-level-process, resulting in the announcement of up to 25 selected projects on the 19th of November 2012. These projects will be participating in a scriptwriting workshop in residency from the 8th till the 13th of January 2013 in Zagreb, Croatia, a subsequent on-line session and a coproduction forum from the 28th of February till the 3rd of March 2013 in Luxembourg, where 35 industry professionals from all over Europe (producers, distributors, sales agents, financers and buyers) will attend.
The participation fee for each project is 500 Euros, covering the travel costs, the accomodation and subsistence for both on-location sessions. Applicants must confirm their availability for the different sessions. The working language of European Short Pitch is English; thus, a good knowledge of English is essential in order to participate. Last not least, it is strongly advised to already have nationally a production company interested or attached to the project, especially at the time of the coproduction forum. Projects from the Munich region might huddle under the umbrella of the Munich Film Society for this purpose.
More information and the application form can be found on the Internet at www.nisimasa.com/?q=node/458 – and if you have any questions, please contact the NISI MASA European headquarters in Paris at +33 960 396 338 or by eMail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
All the best,
Martin Blankemeyer.
