International Film News
Abu Dhabi’s Film Commissioner, David Shepheard
Abu Dhabi Circle Conference Announced
16/07/2010
Abu Dhabi Film Commission, an initiative by ADACH, presents The Circle Conference 2010, a development conference aimed at creating new filmmaking opportunities in the Middle East. The Circle Conference brings together top producers, financiers, executives and filmmakers from around the world to Abu Dhabi.
Accreditation to The Circle Conference is now open and applicants can register for entry until 7 October.
Through the Circle Conference, the regional and international entertainment community comes to Abu Dhabi to share their knowledge with events such as panel discussions, master classes, collaboration lunches and the Shasha Screenwriting development competition.
Said Eissa Saif Al Mazrouei, Director of Special Projects at ADACH commented, ‘One of our objectives along with other media organisations in Abu Dhabi, is to establish and nurture a successful film industry in the Emirate and through the film commission initiatives and specifically The Circle Conference we aim to bring international and regional experts to the UAE who will share their knowledge with our local market. Together, we aim to share and enhance knowledge which will further support Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a leader in content creation.’
Last year, The Circle Conference invited leaders from the international film & TV industry as well as a number of prominent filmmakers, producers and directors from the Middle East, who shared their industry expertise and perspectives on current trends. Among those in attendance were the Chairman of New Regency Pictures, Hutch Parker; President of CBS Network Television Entertainment Group, Nancy Tellem; Chairman and CEO of Stadium International, Stewart Till, and Chairperson, CEO of Eagle Vision Media Group and Producer Sh. Al-Zain Al-Sabah, as well as President of Participant Media.
‘This year’s conference will host special panel discussions and master classes aimed at presenting an informative and enlightening experience to our guests through The Circle Conference.’ stated David Shepheard, Director of Abu Dhabi Film Commission.
The Circle Conference will take a place on 13-15 October in Abu Dhabi. For more information visit film.gov.ae.
Irish Film Board to seek new Chief Executive
16/07/2010
The Board of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) has announced that it will be seeking to appoint a new Chief Executive to commence at the start of January 2011. This date coincides with the ending of the five year term of appointment of the existing Chief Executive, Simon Perry, who took up office in January 2006.
James Morris, Chairman of the Board, commented, ‘Simon has brought new confidence and renewed energy to Irish filmmakers, bringing new talent to the fore while successfully presiding over a period of rapid growth in the range and scale of activities of the IFB. His considerable previous experience as Chief Executive of British Screen and respected contacts among European filmmakers has helped the development of Irish talent and Irish producers enormously. Simon will continue as Chief Executive of the IFB to the end of his term and has agreed to assist the Board in managing a successful transition period into the New Year should this prove helpful’.
The Board will commence advertising for the position of Chief Executive towards the end of July.
Berlinale World Cinema Fund announces Jury decisions
12/07/2010
At the 12th session of the World Cinema Fund (WCF) jury on July 4, three new film projects were selected for production funding.
Since its establishment in October 2004, the WCF has awarded production and distribution funding to a total of 73 projects out of 1275 submissions from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Central and South East Asia, and the Caucasus. All of the WCF films completed so far have screened in cinemas and/or in the programmes of renowned international film festivals and are proof of the international success of the initiative – as well as the Palme d’or for Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and the award by the the Spanish "Festival de Cine de Huesca" for the WCFs commitment to cultural diversity, understanding and the support of film production in many regions around the world.
Latest Funding Decisions
The WCF jury – film scholar and curator Viola Shafik (Germany/Egypt), programme coordinator of Swiss Television Alberto Chollet (Switzerland), dramaturge Alby James (England), as well as WCF project managers Sonja Heinen and Vincenzo Bugno – made their selection from 110 submissions from a total of 42 countries. They awarded funds totalling 130,000 euros to:
Production funding:
Death for Sale; dir. Faouzi Ben Saidi (Morocco), producer: Agora Film, Morocco. Feature film. Funding: 30,000 €
The Prize, dir. Paula Markovitch (Argentina), producer: Kung Works, Mexico. Feature film. Funding: 50,000 €
I’m Going To Change My Name, dir. Maria Saakyan (Armenia), producer: Anniko Films, Armenia. Feature film. Funding: 50,000 €
Submission deadline for the next round of funding: August 5, 2010
For further information, go to: www.berlinale.de.
Semih Kaplanoglu’s Honey
The Berlinale Enjoys Summer Outdoors
12/07/2010
The 8th Summer Berlinale, which runs from 16–19 July, once again takes place at the Open Air Cinema in Friedrichshain. In conjuction with radioeins, it will present five highlights from the festival’s 60th edition.
Festival Director Dieter Kosslick will open the Summer Berlinale, while the heads of the Berlinale sections, Wieland Speck, Christoph Terhechte and Linda Söffker as well as programme manager Thomas Hailer, will present the films.
Friday, July 16, 2010: 9:30 p.m.
Berlinale Perspektive Deutsches Kino: Run If You Can (Renn, wenn Du kannst); dir. Dietrich Brüggemann (112 min, Germany 2009). Presented by Linda Söffker, head of the Perspektive Deutsches Kino.
Saturday, July 17, 2010: 9:30 p.m.
Berlinale Shorts: Incident by a Bank (Händelse Vid Bank); dir. Ruben Östlund (12 min, Sweden 2010).
Winner of the Golden Bear for Best Short Film
Berlinale Competition: Honey (Bal); dir. Semih Kaplanoglu (104 min, Turkey/Germany 2010).
Presented by programme manager Thomas Hailer.
Winner of the Golden Bear 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010: 9:30 p.m.
Berlinale Panorama: Son of Babylon; dir. Mohamed Al-Daradji (90 min Iraq/Great Britain/France/Netherlands/Palestinian Territories/United Arab Emirates/Egypt 2009).
Presented by Wieland Speck, head of the Panorama section.
Monday, July 19, 2010: 9:30 p.m.
Berlinale Forum: Winter’s Bone; dir. Debra Granik (100 min, USA 2010). Presented by Christoph Terhechte, head of the Forum.
For more information, go to: www.freiluftkino-berlin.de.
In July and August, the Cologne Open Air Cinema (www.filmfestivals-koeln.de) and the Mobile Cinema Nuremberg (www.sommernachtfilmfestival.de) will also be screening films from this year’s Berlinale programme.
