International Film News
(from left) Lisa Ray (IFG Business Liaison), David Shepherd (Abu Dhabi Film Commissioner), Marcelle Aleid (Abu Dhabi Film Commission Sponsorship & Communications Manager), Sara Tyler (IFG Head of Business)
IFG Celebrates with Abu Dhabi Film Commission in Cannes
26/05/2010
The International Film Guide co-hosted an event with the Abu Dhabi Film Commission at their pavilion on Sunday May 16. The event marks the culmination of the partnership between the Guide and the Film Commission, who are IFG World Survey Gold sponsors. Their invaluable support not only works towards the continued success of the definitive guide to world cinema, it has supported the IFG’s expansion, lending credibility to its increased role at international festivals and markets.
Guests were greeted by Abu Dhabi Film Commission Director David Shepheard and IFG Head of Business, Sara Tyler, who was on hand to outline the IFG project, from its genesis as an annual review to the more recent incarnation of an online platform that supports, promotes and reports from festivals around the world.
IFG Cannes Buffet Reception sponsored by Abu Dhabi Film CommissionThe Abu Dhabi event, which unfolded amidst the luxurious surroundings of the Film Commission’s pavilion in the International Village, in Cannes, played host to key individuals involved in the creation of the guide and its expansion through its work with key industry organisations, film commissions and festivals. Present was Larry Bronwell, International CEO of the Association of Film Commissions.
Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s role in the development of film production and promotion in the UAE and around the world has proven key to the work of filmmakers and studios, both locally and globally. The International Film Guide’s partnership with the Film Commission has worked to promote many of the key areas the organisation is involved in, from the Locations and Production support department, help for up-and-coming filmmakers with the Aflam Qaseera (short film) production fund and the Twofour training programme, to a more far-sighted view, with the Emirates Media Skills Training Council, which provides ‘an ongoing forum to maintain a dialogue and connection between media educators and media companies to help ensure programme outcomes and student skills to match industry needs’.
A Look at Cannes with the International Film Guide
26/05/2010
Larry Bronwell CEO of the AFCI with David Shepherd of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission
Lisa Ray of IFG with Marcelle Aleid, Sponsorship & Communications Manager of the Abu Dhabi Film Commission
Film Director Nawaf Al Janahi at the Abu Dhabi Film Commission pavilion
Film Director Majid Al Ansari at the Abu Dhabi Film Commission pavilion
Sara Tyler and Lisa Ray of IFG with Saloua Zouiten at the Moroccan Cinematographic Center pavilion
Sara Tyler of IFG with Trish Shorthouse of the Highlands & Islands Film Commission at the buffet reception
Sara Tyler of IFG at the Abu Dhabi Film Commission party
Lisa Ray of IFG with Mrinal Sen at the India Pavilion
Marketa Santrochova of the Czech Film Center with Lisa Ray and Sara Tyler of IFG at the Locarno IFF cocktails
Lisa Ray of IFG with Selvaggia Velo Festival Director of the River to River Florence Indian Film Festival
Lisa Ray of IFG with AB Moosa, CEO of the Avalon Group at the buffet reception
The latest Narnia film being promoted at the Carlton Hotel on the Croisette
IDFA and Dutch Culture Centre Visit China
11/05/2010
From 13 through 16 May, IDFA will be presenting a documentary program in the Dutch Culture Centre (DCC) in Shanghai, China. Ten documentaries previously seen at IDFA are included in the IDFA program. Director John Appel and producer Carmen Cobos will give a master class on documentary making.
IDFA will also be presenting two programmes in China. The first will take place at the MIDA documentary Festival at the beginning of June, followed by a series of screenings at the Ullens Centre for Contemporary Arts (UCCA) in Peking.
In advance of these screenings, IDFA’s online documentary channel will screen a variety of programmes themed around China.
The DCC event will open with a masterclass by John Appel, with a screening of his latest film, The Player, which received the inaugural IDFA award for Dutch documentary at last year’s edition of the festival. The following day, Carmen Cobbs. the film’s producer will also give a masterclass.
Other films being screened include Ditteke Mensink’s Farewell , Menno Otten’s Time Within Time, Aliona van der Horst’s Boris Ryzhy and Heddy Honigmann’s The Underground Orchestra.
Of the films screening on IDFA’s television channel, titles from and about China include Khee-Jin Ng’s Feet Unbound and Travels by Tricycle by Wang Dongdong.
To register for more information on IDFA’s activities, write to: mail@idfa.nl.
Romania, Ireland, Japan and UK all vie for Berlin Today Award
11/05/2010
The 9th edition of the Berlin Today Award, the Berlin Talent Campus’ short film competition, which this year is themed ‘You Are Leaving The Familiar Sector’, has begun.
150 filmmakers from 55 countries responded to the Campus’ call for entries, submitting ideas for participation in the competition. Of those, 15 directors and 10 production companies were invited to a producers meeting in February. From those, the jury, comprised of members of Berlin Talent Campus, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, and KurzFilmAgentur Hamburg, chose the five finalists.
The chosen projects are:
- The Ambassador’s Wife (Michael Lavelle, Ireland) tells the story of Sandra, who is willing to go beyond all boundaries for the body of her dreams. The project will be produced by Macchiato Pictures Filmproduktion.
- Little Red (Eva Pervolovici, Romania) is a fairy tale about female initiation from the point of view of 10-year-old Ica. The project will be filmed in collaboration with Beleza Film.
- The Day We Danced on the Moon (Tristan Daws, UK) follows the members of the Reggae band "Channel One", a group of mental health patients who use their music to express the experience of psychosis. It will be produced by Kloos & Co. Media
- Spoilt Broth (Toby Roberts, UK) is a black comedy about a post office robbery that takes a highly unusual turn. Heimatmedien will produce.
- Hackney Lullabies (Kyoko Miyake, Japan) tells the story of three young migrant mothers in the London neighbourhood of Hackney and asks them about their dreams and hopes for themselves and their children in their new home. The documentary will be produced by Filmkantine.
The films will be produced with the support of Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg in Romania, Ireland, Great Britain and Germany until the end of 2010. They will receive their premiere during the Opening Ceremony of the Berlinale Talent Campus 2011, on 12 February 2011.
For more information, go to: www.berlinale-talentcampus.de/berlin-today-award.
