Italian-French co-production “Heads or Tails?” (“Testa o Croce?”) claimed Eurimages Co-Production Development Award at Rotterdam’s CineMart on Tuesday.
Directed by Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis, and set in the 1890s, it seduced jurors Ilse Ronteltap, Mira Staleva and Konstantina Stavrianou with its retro-flavored story of lovers on the run. “It brings us [closer] to the legends that we rarely see nowadays,” said Staleva. “It’s about violence, mystery, freedom, injustice and friendship.”
“Billi and Rosa decide to escape, but many people are chasing them. Then he becomes a hero to some, an icon. Which, obviously, goes straight to his head. The story is really about her own path: her journey to freedom,” Alessio Rigo de Righi told Variety following his win.
“It’s a western too, a real genre film, which is what we always wanted to do. One that’s actually set in Italy and owning it,...
Directed by Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis, and set in the 1890s, it seduced jurors Ilse Ronteltap, Mira Staleva and Konstantina Stavrianou with its retro-flavored story of lovers on the run. “It brings us [closer] to the legends that we rarely see nowadays,” said Staleva. “It’s about violence, mystery, freedom, injustice and friendship.”
“Billi and Rosa decide to escape, but many people are chasing them. Then he becomes a hero to some, an icon. Which, obviously, goes straight to his head. The story is really about her own path: her journey to freedom,” Alessio Rigo de Righi told Variety following his win.
“It’s a western too, a real genre film, which is what we always wanted to do. One that’s actually set in Italy and owning it,...
- 1/31/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Digital Distributor Giant Pictures has acquired Drafthouse Films and announced its first two acquisitions, Nr. 10 and Masking Threshold.
Giant Pictures’ Gm Nick Savva will serve as the new Drafthouse Films CEO and Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League will be chairman. Financial terms of the transaction weren’t released.
Drafthouse Films, a genre and international specialist, was founded as the distribution arm of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in 2010 before being spun off from the exhibitor. As CEO, Savva is planning to expand the Drafthouse Films label.
“Giant Pictures’ investment enables Drafthouse Films to continue releasing the provocative, visionary, and artfully unusual genre films from around the world that have always defined the Drafthouse brand,” Savva says. “At the same time, this acquisition gives Giant new theatrical releasing capabilities which complement our existing digital distribution and streaming technology businesses.”
Giant Pictures will work closely with Alamo Drafthouse and its related media companies, such...
Giant Pictures’ Gm Nick Savva will serve as the new Drafthouse Films CEO and Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League will be chairman. Financial terms of the transaction weren’t released.
Drafthouse Films, a genre and international specialist, was founded as the distribution arm of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in 2010 before being spun off from the exhibitor. As CEO, Savva is planning to expand the Drafthouse Films label.
“Giant Pictures’ investment enables Drafthouse Films to continue releasing the provocative, visionary, and artfully unusual genre films from around the world that have always defined the Drafthouse brand,” Savva says. “At the same time, this acquisition gives Giant new theatrical releasing capabilities which complement our existing digital distribution and streaming technology businesses.”
Giant Pictures will work closely with Alamo Drafthouse and its related media companies, such...
- 3/9/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Digital distributor Giant Pictures has acquired Drafthouse Films, the genre movie label formed by Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League.
Giant Pictures general manager Nick Savva will serve as CEO of the company, which will continue to operate under the title Drafthouse Films. League will become the chairman of Drafthouse Films.
“Giant Pictures’ investment enables Drafthouse Films to continue releasing the provocative, visionary, and artfully unusual genre films from around the world that have always defined the Drafthouse brand,” Savva said. “At the same time, this acquisition gives Giant new theatrical releasing capabilities which complement our existing digital distribution and streaming technology businesses.”
Drafthouse Films was created as the distribution arm of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in 2010 before being spun off from the exhibitor. Past titles on Drafthouse Films’ slate were “Bullhead,” “The Act of Killing,” “Spring” and “Cheap Thrills.” Giant Pictures partners with studios and filmmakers to release movies and TV shows across major streaming platforms,...
Giant Pictures general manager Nick Savva will serve as CEO of the company, which will continue to operate under the title Drafthouse Films. League will become the chairman of Drafthouse Films.
“Giant Pictures’ investment enables Drafthouse Films to continue releasing the provocative, visionary, and artfully unusual genre films from around the world that have always defined the Drafthouse brand,” Savva said. “At the same time, this acquisition gives Giant new theatrical releasing capabilities which complement our existing digital distribution and streaming technology businesses.”
Drafthouse Films was created as the distribution arm of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in 2010 before being spun off from the exhibitor. Past titles on Drafthouse Films’ slate were “Bullhead,” “The Act of Killing,” “Spring” and “Cheap Thrills.” Giant Pictures partners with studios and filmmakers to release movies and TV shows across major streaming platforms,...
- 3/9/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
The project is written and directed by German-based Mongolian director Uisenma Borchu.
Pim Hermeling’s Amsterdam-based Nine Film has acquired international sales rights, outside Germany, to Berlinale Panorama title Black Milk, written and directed by German-based Mongolian director Uisenma Borchu.
It will be released in Germany by Munich-based Alpenrepublik.
Black Milks a semi-autobiographical drama about a young woman in search of her roots.
“We have a tendency to follow women and stories about women. This is something important for us,” said Nelleke Driessen, head of sales and acquisitions for Nine Films.
Driessen was attending the International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr...
Pim Hermeling’s Amsterdam-based Nine Film has acquired international sales rights, outside Germany, to Berlinale Panorama title Black Milk, written and directed by German-based Mongolian director Uisenma Borchu.
It will be released in Germany by Munich-based Alpenrepublik.
Black Milks a semi-autobiographical drama about a young woman in search of her roots.
“We have a tendency to follow women and stories about women. This is something important for us,” said Nelleke Driessen, head of sales and acquisitions for Nine Films.
Driessen was attending the International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr...
- 1/30/2020
- by 57¦Geoffrey Macnab¦41¦
- ScreenDaily
Aside from Iffr, a very happening event, two new and related international sales companies are launching in Berlin. Fortissimo and Nine Film are related genealogically, even to Iffr, because the founder of Fortissimo, Wouter Barendrecht (Rip 2009), came from Iffr where he was an expert on programming films from Asia.Wouter Barendrecht (Jerusalem International Film Festival Photos)
Wouter founded Fortissimo in 1991. Together with partner Michael Werner, another China aficionado, they introduced the west to Asian arthouse cinema. Barendrecht was also instrumental in re-vitalizing the Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival in 2000. He created a staff and a fanbase whose loyalty and family-like closeness has never been replicated. Today at Iffr, he is commemorated annually by the Wouter Barendrect Award of €5,000 bestowed by CineMart in conjunction with the Wouter Barendrecht Film Foundation to a filmmaker under the age of 35 who has directed three or fewer films. The prize is decided upon by...
Wouter founded Fortissimo in 1991. Together with partner Michael Werner, another China aficionado, they introduced the west to Asian arthouse cinema. Barendrecht was also instrumental in re-vitalizing the Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival in 2000. He created a staff and a fanbase whose loyalty and family-like closeness has never been replicated. Today at Iffr, he is commemorated annually by the Wouter Barendrect Award of €5,000 bestowed by CineMart in conjunction with the Wouter Barendrecht Film Foundation to a filmmaker under the age of 35 who has directed three or fewer films. The prize is decided upon by...
- 2/3/2019
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Nine Film is run by former Fortissimo executive Nelleke Driessen.
Nascent Amsterdam-based sales outfit Nine Film has picked up worldwide rights to Dutch director Norbert ter Hall’s drama Mi Vida that has wrapped after a five -week shoot in Cadiz in Spain and one day in the Netherlands.
Nine Film is headed by former Fortissimo executive Nelleke Driessen.
Elvira Minguez and Loes Luca star in the film about a recently retired Dutch hairdresser whose life is transformed when she takes a language course in Spain, much to the consternation of her now grown-up children. The screenplay is by Roos Ouwehand...
Nascent Amsterdam-based sales outfit Nine Film has picked up worldwide rights to Dutch director Norbert ter Hall’s drama Mi Vida that has wrapped after a five -week shoot in Cadiz in Spain and one day in the Netherlands.
Nine Film is headed by former Fortissimo executive Nelleke Driessen.
Elvira Minguez and Loes Luca star in the film about a recently retired Dutch hairdresser whose life is transformed when she takes a language course in Spain, much to the consternation of her now grown-up children. The screenplay is by Roos Ouwehand...
- 7/20/2018
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
September is diversifying into international co-production and sales.
Pim Hermeling’s September Films, one of Benelux’s leading art house distributors, is diversifying into international co-production and sales.
The Amsterdam-based company is setting up its own international sales agent, Nine Film, of which Nelleke Driessen, former MD at Fortissimo, is now managing director. September has also bought a 50% stake in production outfit KeyFilm, run by Hanneke Niens and Hans De Wolf, through which Hermeling would like to co-produce international features. It has also launched its own VOD platform for arthouse films.
“The old-fashioned way of distribution is not making sense any more,...
Pim Hermeling’s September Films, one of Benelux’s leading art house distributors, is diversifying into international co-production and sales.
The Amsterdam-based company is setting up its own international sales agent, Nine Film, of which Nelleke Driessen, former MD at Fortissimo, is now managing director. September has also bought a 50% stake in production outfit KeyFilm, run by Hanneke Niens and Hans De Wolf, through which Hermeling would like to co-produce international features. It has also launched its own VOD platform for arthouse films.
“The old-fashioned way of distribution is not making sense any more,...
- 5/12/2018
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Company sets up own international sales agent, Nine Film.
Pim Hermeling’s September Films, one of Benelux’s leading art house distributors, is to diversify into international co-production and sales.
The company is setting up its own international sales agent, Nine Film, of which Nelleke Driessen, former MD at Fortissimo, is now managing director. September has also bought a 50% stake in production outfit KeyFilm, run by Hanneke Niens and Hans De Wolf, through which Hermeling would like to co-produce international features.
It has also launched its own VOD platform for arthouse films.
“The old-fashioned way of distribution is not making sense any more,...
Pim Hermeling’s September Films, one of Benelux’s leading art house distributors, is to diversify into international co-production and sales.
The company is setting up its own international sales agent, Nine Film, of which Nelleke Driessen, former MD at Fortissimo, is now managing director. September has also bought a 50% stake in production outfit KeyFilm, run by Hanneke Niens and Hans De Wolf, through which Hermeling would like to co-produce international features.
It has also launched its own VOD platform for arthouse films.
“The old-fashioned way of distribution is not making sense any more,...
- 5/11/2018
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
’Mitra’, ’Electrocute’, ’A White, White Day’, ‘Disco Afrika’ scoop prizes.
Source: Iffr
The winners of the 35th edition of CineMart, International Film Festival Rotterdam’s storied co-production market, have been revealed.
Of the 16 selected projects, there were four winners: Kaweh Modiri’s Dutch feature Mitra took the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000; Gastón Solnicki’s Argentine feature Electrocute won the Filmmore Post-Production Award of €7,500; Hlynur Pálmason’s A White, White Day took the Arte International Prize of €6,000; and Luck Razanajaona’s Disco Afrika won the Wouter Barendrecht Award, given to a director under 35-years-old, of €5,000.
The winners were presented their prizes at a ceremony in Rotterdam on Wednesday evening (Jan 31).
The 2018 edition of CineMart featured a revamped and streamlined format of presentations and meetings, changes that have been welcomed by attending industry that Screen spoke to during the festival.
The jury for the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award, which was comprised of Arben Zharku, Dorien van de Pas and [link=nm...
Source: Iffr
The winners of the 35th edition of CineMart, International Film Festival Rotterdam’s storied co-production market, have been revealed.
Of the 16 selected projects, there were four winners: Kaweh Modiri’s Dutch feature Mitra took the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000; Gastón Solnicki’s Argentine feature Electrocute won the Filmmore Post-Production Award of €7,500; Hlynur Pálmason’s A White, White Day took the Arte International Prize of €6,000; and Luck Razanajaona’s Disco Afrika won the Wouter Barendrecht Award, given to a director under 35-years-old, of €5,000.
The winners were presented their prizes at a ceremony in Rotterdam on Wednesday evening (Jan 31).
The 2018 edition of CineMart featured a revamped and streamlined format of presentations and meetings, changes that have been welcomed by attending industry that Screen spoke to during the festival.
The jury for the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award, which was comprised of Arben Zharku, Dorien van de Pas and [link=nm...
- 1/31/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Mina, Electrocute, A White, White Day, Disco Afrika scoop prizes.
Source: Iffr
The winners of the 35th edition of CineMart, International Film Festival Rotterdam’s storied co-production market, have been revealed.
Of the 16 selected projects, there were four winners: Kaweh Modiri’s Dutch feature Mitra took the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000; Gastón Solnicki’s Argentine feature Electrocute won the Filmmore Post-Production Award of €7,500; Hlynur Pálmason’s A White, White Day took the Arte International Prize of €6,000; and Luck Razanajaona’s Disco Afrika won the Wouter Barendrecht Award, given to a director under 35-years-old, of €5,000.
The winners were presented their prizes at a ceremony in Rotterdam on Wednesday evening (Jan 31).
The 2018 edition of CineMart featured a revamped and streamlined format of presentations and meetings, changes that have been welcomed by attending industry that Screen spoke to during the festival.
The jury for the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award, which was comprised of Arben Zharku, Dorien van de Pas and [link=nm...
Source: Iffr
The winners of the 35th edition of CineMart, International Film Festival Rotterdam’s storied co-production market, have been revealed.
Of the 16 selected projects, there were four winners: Kaweh Modiri’s Dutch feature Mitra took the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000; Gastón Solnicki’s Argentine feature Electrocute won the Filmmore Post-Production Award of €7,500; Hlynur Pálmason’s A White, White Day took the Arte International Prize of €6,000; and Luck Razanajaona’s Disco Afrika won the Wouter Barendrecht Award, given to a director under 35-years-old, of €5,000.
The winners were presented their prizes at a ceremony in Rotterdam on Wednesday evening (Jan 31).
The 2018 edition of CineMart featured a revamped and streamlined format of presentations and meetings, changes that have been welcomed by attending industry that Screen spoke to during the festival.
The jury for the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award, which was comprised of Arben Zharku, Dorien van de Pas and [link=nm...
- 1/31/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Documentary tells the story of three journalists who uncover child slavery in the chocolate industry.
Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights, excluding Benelux, to Benthe Forrer’s documentary The Chocolate Case.
Produced by BlazHoffski/Dahl TV, the film tells the story of three journalists (Maurice Dekkers, Teun van de Keuken, and Roland Durong) who uncovered child slavery in the chocolate industry and tried to persuade large corporations to end the practice.
When they failed, they developed the world’s first “slave-free” chocolate bar, Tony’s Chocolonely, which became one of the best-selling brands in the Netherlands.
Fortissimo has a long history of handling food-related films, most recently Ants On A Shrimp, also produced by BlazHoffski/Dahl TV. The Chocolate Case stars Forrer’s producing partner and husband, filmmaker Maurice Dekkers, who directed Ants On A Shrimp.
Forrer and Dekkers previously worked on award-winning Dutch TV series, Keuringsdienst Van Waarde, about corruption...
Fortissimo Films has picked up international rights, excluding Benelux, to Benthe Forrer’s documentary The Chocolate Case.
Produced by BlazHoffski/Dahl TV, the film tells the story of three journalists (Maurice Dekkers, Teun van de Keuken, and Roland Durong) who uncovered child slavery in the chocolate industry and tried to persuade large corporations to end the practice.
When they failed, they developed the world’s first “slave-free” chocolate bar, Tony’s Chocolonely, which became one of the best-selling brands in the Netherlands.
Fortissimo has a long history of handling food-related films, most recently Ants On A Shrimp, also produced by BlazHoffski/Dahl TV. The Chocolate Case stars Forrer’s producing partner and husband, filmmaker Maurice Dekkers, who directed Ants On A Shrimp.
Forrer and Dekkers previously worked on award-winning Dutch TV series, Keuringsdienst Van Waarde, about corruption...
- 5/12/2016
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Driessen has been involved with the sales company since it was founded in the early 90s, and has been MD since 2004.
Dutch sales executive Nelleke Driessen is to step down from her position as managing director at Fortissimo Films, it was confirmed on Thursday.
In an email to colleagues, the respected industry veteran spoke of her “many wonderful years” at Fortissimo.
“I’ve had the great fortune to work with a fantastic team in both Amsterdam and Hong Kong and with Nicole (Mackie) in London,” she commented.
“There were difficult times after (company co-founder) Wouter (Barendrecht) unexpectedly died in 2009 but I’ve been lucky to have had (chairman) Michael (Werner) to support me with loyalty and dedication. Nonetheless, I’ve decided that now comes the time to move on and take on new challenges, and I’m looking forward to doing that later this year.
Speaking to Screen, Driessen confirmed that she intends to stay within the film...
Dutch sales executive Nelleke Driessen is to step down from her position as managing director at Fortissimo Films, it was confirmed on Thursday.
In an email to colleagues, the respected industry veteran spoke of her “many wonderful years” at Fortissimo.
“I’ve had the great fortune to work with a fantastic team in both Amsterdam and Hong Kong and with Nicole (Mackie) in London,” she commented.
“There were difficult times after (company co-founder) Wouter (Barendrecht) unexpectedly died in 2009 but I’ve been lucky to have had (chairman) Michael (Werner) to support me with loyalty and dedication. Nonetheless, I’ve decided that now comes the time to move on and take on new challenges, and I’m looking forward to doing that later this year.
Speaking to Screen, Driessen confirmed that she intends to stay within the film...
- 3/31/2016
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: The distributor has acquired North American rights to a pair of culinary documentaries – Ants On A Shrimp and Kampai! For The Love Of Sake.
Maurice Dekkers’ Ants On A Shrimp follows chef René Redzepi as he transplants his renowned restaurant Noma from Copenhagen to the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo for five weeks.
Dan Blazer and Nelsje Musch-Elzinga produced the recent Berlinale world premiere and Dekkers served as executive producer with Marc Blazer.
Ants On A Shrimp will screen at the 2016 Hot Docs Film Festival in Special Presentations.
Mirai Konishi’s Kampai! For The Love Of Sake explores the Japanese spirit through the eyes of a British sake brewer in Japan, an American journalist and author of multiple sake guidebooks, and the reforming young president of an old Japanese sake brewery.
Konishi and Chiaki Yanagimoto produced the film, which premiered at the 2015 San Sebastián Film Festival.
Nao Komai, Soojun Bae, Fortissimo Films’ Michael J. Werner, and [link=nm...
Maurice Dekkers’ Ants On A Shrimp follows chef René Redzepi as he transplants his renowned restaurant Noma from Copenhagen to the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo for five weeks.
Dan Blazer and Nelsje Musch-Elzinga produced the recent Berlinale world premiere and Dekkers served as executive producer with Marc Blazer.
Ants On A Shrimp will screen at the 2016 Hot Docs Film Festival in Special Presentations.
Mirai Konishi’s Kampai! For The Love Of Sake explores the Japanese spirit through the eyes of a British sake brewer in Japan, an American journalist and author of multiple sake guidebooks, and the reforming young president of an old Japanese sake brewery.
Konishi and Chiaki Yanagimoto produced the film, which premiered at the 2015 San Sebastián Film Festival.
Nao Komai, Soojun Bae, Fortissimo Films’ Michael J. Werner, and [link=nm...
- 3/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Embrace Of The Serpent director Ciro Guerra and We Are Young. We Are Strong. director Burhan Qurbani among winners.
Projects from Germany, the Netherlands and Colombia have picked up awards at CineMart (Jan 31-Feb 3), the co-production market of International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr).
German production Berlin Alexanderplatz was awarded the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000, which is given to a project presented by a European producer.
Directed by German filmmaker Burhan Qurbani, known for 2014 feature We Are Young. We Are Strong., his new films is produced by Sommerhaus Filmproduktion.
The story centres on friendship and betrayal between a Nigerian refugee and a German drug dealer in Berlin and is based on the eponymous book by Alfred Döblin.
A jury statement said: “The project gives us a new and relevant view on a classic piece. The talented director has already made several films about urgent and relevant topics, that currently affect all our countries. Here he will...
Projects from Germany, the Netherlands and Colombia have picked up awards at CineMart (Jan 31-Feb 3), the co-production market of International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr).
German production Berlin Alexanderplatz was awarded the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000, which is given to a project presented by a European producer.
Directed by German filmmaker Burhan Qurbani, known for 2014 feature We Are Young. We Are Strong., his new films is produced by Sommerhaus Filmproduktion.
The story centres on friendship and betrayal between a Nigerian refugee and a German drug dealer in Berlin and is based on the eponymous book by Alfred Döblin.
A jury statement said: “The project gives us a new and relevant view on a classic piece. The talented director has already made several films about urgent and relevant topics, that currently affect all our countries. Here he will...
- 2/4/2016
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
LatinoBuzz: Winners of 33rd Edition CineMart Include Academy Award-Nominee Ciro Guerra's New Project
The CineMart 2016 awards have been announced marking the close of the 33rd edition of the co-production market. German production "Berlin Alexanderplatz" was awarded the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000, which is given to a project presented by a European producer. Colombian production "Birds of Passage" was awarded the €6,000 Arte International Prize and the Wouter Barendrecht Award went to Christopher Radcliff’s new project "The Strange Ones." The prize of €5,000 is given by the Wouter Barendrecht Film Foundation. The jury for the Arte and Eurimages awards is comprised of the Netherlands Film Fund’s Dorien van de Pas, producer Annamaria Lodato and Fabien Westerhoff, head of international licensing, production and finance company Ffwd (formerly with Hanway and WestEnd). The Wouter Barendrecht Award is decided on by representatives of the Wouter Barendrecht Film Foundation, Nelleke and Ellis Driessen.
CineMart selected 25 international projects to participate in the four day event which has been one of the most successful in recent years. Multiple conferences and panels covering topics ranging from “Making the most of a film festival” to “The Micro-Budget Talent Programmes” were held in front of packed audiences who were invited to be involved in the debates and receive advice. Mike S. Ryan (Greyshack Films), Michael Weber (The Match Factory), Winnie Lau (Jettone Films Ltd) and Bero Beyer (Director Iffr) discussing ‘The Creative Thunder of Cinema’ proved one of the highlights of Iffr 2016.
On making the announcement, Head of Industry and CineMart, Marit van den Elshout commented: “This year’s line-up was exceptional and inspiring. I speak on behalf of the entire team when I say that we could not be more proud – we have seen so many great projects, and so many talented teams behind them, the winners really exemplify this. I am also pleased to say that we hosted multiple extremely well attended panels and conversations, discussing the current state and possible future of the cinema that we love and cherish in Rotterdam.”
This year’s Eurimages Co-Production Development Award winner, "Berlin Alexanderplatz" by Burhan Qurbani (Germany) is a Sommerhaus Filmproduktion production. On the jury’s decision, Dorien van de Pas commented: “The project gives us a new and relevant view on a classic piece. The talented director has already made several films about urgent and relevant topics, that currently affect all our countries. Here he will combine elements of genre film with more political and emotional layers, which makes it accessible for a younger audience. The project leads to an ideal co-production scenario and the money of this award will be well employed for casting and further development.”
The Arte International Prize winner is "Birds of Passage" (Colombia) by Ciro Guerra, who is currently nominated for the Best Foreign Language Academy Award for "Embrace of the Serpent," produced by Ciudad Lunar Producciones and Blond Indian Films. On presenting the award, Annemaria Lodato commented: “We decided to give the Arte International Prize to a young South American filmmaker who has already produced a strong and convincing body of work. The project takes us into the heart of an indigenous community, a time and place never explored on screen.”
The Wouter Barendrecht Award winner is "The Strange Ones" (USA), directed by Christopher Radcliff and Lauren Wolkstein, produced by Sébastien Aubert. "Mysterious events surround the travels of two brothers as they make their way across a remote American landscape. On the surface all seems normal, but what appears to be a simple vacation soon gives way to something more complex, dark, and potentially deadly." On presenting the award Managing Director of Fortissimo Films, Nelleke Driessen commented: “The short film on which this film project is based, convinced the jury of the potential for the feature. We trust that the makers will succeed to translate this apparent simple story into an intriguing, multi layered psychological thriller.”
Hbf+Europe Distribution Support for International Co-productions
Next to these awards, Iffr’s Hubert Bals Fund is proud to announce the first selection of its brand-new distribution scheme: Hbf+Europe Distribution Support for International Co-productions. The scheme is designed to boost the distribution of internationally co-produced films from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe.
The Hbf is pleased to announce that the first Hbf+Europe Distribution grant of 20.000 Euro has been awarded to Heretic Outreach from Greece to support the distribution of "Babai" by Visar Morina (Kosovo, Germany, Macedonia and France) in Greece, Bulgaria and Egypt.
Full selection list for CineMart 2016:
"The Announcement" - Mahmut Fazil Coskun - Turkey/Bulgaria - Filmotto Production/The Chouchkov Brothers "Berlin Alexanderplatz" - Burhan Qurbani - Germany - Sommerhaus Filmproduktion GmbH "Birds of Passage" - Ciro Guerra - Colombia - Ciudad Lunar/Blond Indian Films "Bloody Marie" - Guido van Driel - the Netherlands/Germany - Family Affair Films/Schiwago Film GmbH "Bootlegger" - Caroline Monnet - Canada - Microclimat Films "Dark Room" - Itamar Alcalay - Israel/Germany - Lama Films/Komplizen Film "The Devil Outside" - Andrew Hulme - UK - Ipso Facto Productions "Is this What You Were Born For?" - Radu Jude - Romania - Hi Film Productions "Jessica" - Ninja Thyberg - Sweden - Plattform Produktion "The Last Harem" - Maryam Keshavarz - France/Portugal - Neon Productions/ Ítaca Films/MaraKesh Films (Art:Film) "The Notebooks" - Joana Hadjithomas, Khalil Joreige - Lebanon/France - Abbout Productions "Over the City" - Emir Baigazin - Kazakhstan/Germany - Emir Baigazin Production/Augenschein Filmproduktion "Pompei" - John Shank, Anna Falguères - Belgium/Italy - Tarantula/Solaria Film "Rafaël" - Ben Sombogaart - the Netherlands/Italy/Belgium/Tunisia - Rinkel Film/Verdeoro/Entre Chien et Loup/Nomadis Images/Cinetelefilms "Sick, Sick, Sick" - Alice Furtado - Brazil - Estúdio Giz/Oceano "Slam" - Partho Sen-Gupta - Australia - Invisible Republic "Sleep." - Jan-Willem van Ewijk - the Netherlands - Waterland Film/Propellor Film "The Strange Ones" - Christopher Radcliff, Lauren Wolkstein - France/USA - Adastra Films "Teenage Jesus" - Marie Grahtø - Denmark - Beofilm "Under the Sun" - Qiu Yang - France/China - House on Fire/Colorful Age Culture & Media "Der Unschuldige" - Simon Jaquemet - Switzerland - 8Horses "Ursa Major"- Benjamin Crotty - USA/France - AgX/Les Films du Bal "Vikings" - Daniel Hoesl - Austria - Ulrich Seidl Film Produktion GmbH "Wild Princess" - Ester Martin Bergsmark - Sweden - Garagefilm International (Art:Film) "What if Women Ruled the World?" - Yael Bartana - UK - Jacqui Davies Limited...
CineMart selected 25 international projects to participate in the four day event which has been one of the most successful in recent years. Multiple conferences and panels covering topics ranging from “Making the most of a film festival” to “The Micro-Budget Talent Programmes” were held in front of packed audiences who were invited to be involved in the debates and receive advice. Mike S. Ryan (Greyshack Films), Michael Weber (The Match Factory), Winnie Lau (Jettone Films Ltd) and Bero Beyer (Director Iffr) discussing ‘The Creative Thunder of Cinema’ proved one of the highlights of Iffr 2016.
On making the announcement, Head of Industry and CineMart, Marit van den Elshout commented: “This year’s line-up was exceptional and inspiring. I speak on behalf of the entire team when I say that we could not be more proud – we have seen so many great projects, and so many talented teams behind them, the winners really exemplify this. I am also pleased to say that we hosted multiple extremely well attended panels and conversations, discussing the current state and possible future of the cinema that we love and cherish in Rotterdam.”
This year’s Eurimages Co-Production Development Award winner, "Berlin Alexanderplatz" by Burhan Qurbani (Germany) is a Sommerhaus Filmproduktion production. On the jury’s decision, Dorien van de Pas commented: “The project gives us a new and relevant view on a classic piece. The talented director has already made several films about urgent and relevant topics, that currently affect all our countries. Here he will combine elements of genre film with more political and emotional layers, which makes it accessible for a younger audience. The project leads to an ideal co-production scenario and the money of this award will be well employed for casting and further development.”
The Arte International Prize winner is "Birds of Passage" (Colombia) by Ciro Guerra, who is currently nominated for the Best Foreign Language Academy Award for "Embrace of the Serpent," produced by Ciudad Lunar Producciones and Blond Indian Films. On presenting the award, Annemaria Lodato commented: “We decided to give the Arte International Prize to a young South American filmmaker who has already produced a strong and convincing body of work. The project takes us into the heart of an indigenous community, a time and place never explored on screen.”
The Wouter Barendrecht Award winner is "The Strange Ones" (USA), directed by Christopher Radcliff and Lauren Wolkstein, produced by Sébastien Aubert. "Mysterious events surround the travels of two brothers as they make their way across a remote American landscape. On the surface all seems normal, but what appears to be a simple vacation soon gives way to something more complex, dark, and potentially deadly." On presenting the award Managing Director of Fortissimo Films, Nelleke Driessen commented: “The short film on which this film project is based, convinced the jury of the potential for the feature. We trust that the makers will succeed to translate this apparent simple story into an intriguing, multi layered psychological thriller.”
Hbf+Europe Distribution Support for International Co-productions
Next to these awards, Iffr’s Hubert Bals Fund is proud to announce the first selection of its brand-new distribution scheme: Hbf+Europe Distribution Support for International Co-productions. The scheme is designed to boost the distribution of internationally co-produced films from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe.
The Hbf is pleased to announce that the first Hbf+Europe Distribution grant of 20.000 Euro has been awarded to Heretic Outreach from Greece to support the distribution of "Babai" by Visar Morina (Kosovo, Germany, Macedonia and France) in Greece, Bulgaria and Egypt.
Full selection list for CineMart 2016:
"The Announcement" - Mahmut Fazil Coskun - Turkey/Bulgaria - Filmotto Production/The Chouchkov Brothers "Berlin Alexanderplatz" - Burhan Qurbani - Germany - Sommerhaus Filmproduktion GmbH "Birds of Passage" - Ciro Guerra - Colombia - Ciudad Lunar/Blond Indian Films "Bloody Marie" - Guido van Driel - the Netherlands/Germany - Family Affair Films/Schiwago Film GmbH "Bootlegger" - Caroline Monnet - Canada - Microclimat Films "Dark Room" - Itamar Alcalay - Israel/Germany - Lama Films/Komplizen Film "The Devil Outside" - Andrew Hulme - UK - Ipso Facto Productions "Is this What You Were Born For?" - Radu Jude - Romania - Hi Film Productions "Jessica" - Ninja Thyberg - Sweden - Plattform Produktion "The Last Harem" - Maryam Keshavarz - France/Portugal - Neon Productions/ Ítaca Films/MaraKesh Films (Art:Film) "The Notebooks" - Joana Hadjithomas, Khalil Joreige - Lebanon/France - Abbout Productions "Over the City" - Emir Baigazin - Kazakhstan/Germany - Emir Baigazin Production/Augenschein Filmproduktion "Pompei" - John Shank, Anna Falguères - Belgium/Italy - Tarantula/Solaria Film "Rafaël" - Ben Sombogaart - the Netherlands/Italy/Belgium/Tunisia - Rinkel Film/Verdeoro/Entre Chien et Loup/Nomadis Images/Cinetelefilms "Sick, Sick, Sick" - Alice Furtado - Brazil - Estúdio Giz/Oceano "Slam" - Partho Sen-Gupta - Australia - Invisible Republic "Sleep." - Jan-Willem van Ewijk - the Netherlands - Waterland Film/Propellor Film "The Strange Ones" - Christopher Radcliff, Lauren Wolkstein - France/USA - Adastra Films "Teenage Jesus" - Marie Grahtø - Denmark - Beofilm "Under the Sun" - Qiu Yang - France/China - House on Fire/Colorful Age Culture & Media "Der Unschuldige" - Simon Jaquemet - Switzerland - 8Horses "Ursa Major"- Benjamin Crotty - USA/France - AgX/Les Films du Bal "Vikings" - Daniel Hoesl - Austria - Ulrich Seidl Film Produktion GmbH "Wild Princess" - Ester Martin Bergsmark - Sweden - Garagefilm International (Art:Film) "What if Women Ruled the World?" - Yael Bartana - UK - Jacqui Davies Limited...
- 2/4/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Debut feature directors Yossi Atia, Maysaloun Hamoud and Roman Shumunov pick up prizes.
Debut feature directors Yossi Atia, Maysaloun Hamoud and Roman Shumunov have picked up prizes at the 10th edition of Pitch Point, aimed at connecting Israeli productions with international partners.
Performance artist and filmmaker Atia’s Born In Jerusalem And Still Alive won the $4,400 Wouter Barendrecht — Lia Van Leer award.
A dark comedy based on Atia’s per- sonal experiences, the film revolves around a man who organises terror tours along Jaffa Road in west Jeru- salem, the site of a number of deadly suicide attacks during the second Intifada.
The jury — which included Us distribution guru Ira Deutchman, Fortissimo Films’ MD Nelleke Driessen and German producer Thanassis Karathanos — praised the project for its “unique and original take on a tough and emotional subject matter.”
Shumunov clinched the $5,300 Van Leer Foundation award for No Future, about Israeli rappers and graffiti artists of Russian origin struggling...
Debut feature directors Yossi Atia, Maysaloun Hamoud and Roman Shumunov have picked up prizes at the 10th edition of Pitch Point, aimed at connecting Israeli productions with international partners.
Performance artist and filmmaker Atia’s Born In Jerusalem And Still Alive won the $4,400 Wouter Barendrecht — Lia Van Leer award.
A dark comedy based on Atia’s per- sonal experiences, the film revolves around a man who organises terror tours along Jaffa Road in west Jeru- salem, the site of a number of deadly suicide attacks during the second Intifada.
The jury — which included Us distribution guru Ira Deutchman, Fortissimo Films’ MD Nelleke Driessen and German producer Thanassis Karathanos — praised the project for its “unique and original take on a tough and emotional subject matter.”
Shumunov clinched the $5,300 Van Leer Foundation award for No Future, about Israeli rappers and graffiti artists of Russian origin struggling...
- 7/16/2015
- ScreenDaily
It’s a thrill to see two out of three of the CineMart Awards are to filmmakers we are tracking: “Luxembourg” by Myroslav Slaboshptyskly from Ukraine and Cuba’s Claudia Calvino and Carlos Lechuga's “Santa y Delfin” won the inaugural Wouter Barendrecht Award. Best unpublished screenplay prize was awarded to the team this past December at Havana’s Festival de Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano. The Ukrainian-German production to be produced by Miff’s Business Square founder Anna Katchko, “Luxembourg”, was awarded the €7,000 Arte International Prize after winning the Sundance Aj+ sponsored Global Filmmaking Award of Us $10,000.
The project has a budget of €1.5 million and is half financed by the Ukrainean State Film Agency. It received a grant from Hubert Bals Fund earlier and will be at Berlin’s Efm Coproduction Market next week. This U.K.-German-French coproduction is being sold internationally by Ultra Violet who sold writer-director Myroslav Slaboshptyskly’s first film “The Tribe” to 35 territories. Myroslav and I spoke at Sundance and he gave me a link to his short “Nuclear Waste” which is a pilot for this film, shot in the Chernobyl exclusion zone and awarded the Silver Leopard of Tomorrow at the Locarno Film Festival and showed at many festivals.
CineMart 2015 awards were announced recently, marking the close of the 32nd edition of the co-production market. Dutch/French/Belgian production “Tonic Immobility” was awarded the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000, which is given to a project presented by a European producer.
CineMart selected 24 international projects to participate in the four day event which has been one of the most successful in recent years. A panel discussion to launch Iffr’s new VoD initiative, Tiger Release, was well attended with several filmmakers now in discussion with the Iffr team on releasing their new films via this platform. Multiple conferences and panels covering topics ranging from “Making the most of a film festival” to “The Director-Producer Partnership” were held in front of packed audiences who were invited to be involved in the debates and receive advice. The "Creative Europe Day" on Tuesday, January 27th which offered advice and guidance on creating beyond the boundaries of Europe proved one of the highlights of Iffr 2015.
On making the announcement Head of Industry & CineMart, Marit van den Elshout commented “The quality of our line-up this year is something the whole team is very proud of - so many standout projects with talented teams behind them, the award winners exemplify this. We hosted multiple extremely well attended panels and conversations, experienced great success with the launch of Tiger Release and the enthusiasm with which our Creative Europe day was received all adds up to one of the strongest CineMart’s in a long time. ”
This year’s Eurimages Co-Production Development Award winner, “Tonic Immobility” by Nathalie Teirlinck, (The Netherlands, France, Belgium), is a Bart van Langendonck, Xavier Rombaut, Savage Film production. It tells the story of Alice, an escort who abandons her baby son Robin. Unexpectedly, seven years later Alice is reunited with the boy and they must find a way to co-exist while Alice is confronted with the fact that true emotions can't be controlled and that intimacy can lead to vulnerability. On the Jury’s decision Dorien van de Pas commented “ The award is being given to a project from a multitalented first time feature director who will tell a very emotional, universal story. His short films demonstrate a strong visual style in combination with a great focus on sound. ”
The Arte International Prize winner “Luxembourg”, (Ukraine, Germany) by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy, and produced by Anna Katchko with Tandem Production is a film noir with touches of a western. A great project by a very talented director, stunningly set up for a strong and cinematic story. On presenting the award Annamaria Lodato commented. “This year the Arte International Prize is awarded to a talented, daring and radical director. He is preparing a film that explores a world unknown to most of us: today’s Chernobyl. Far from being a ‘disaster film’, it is a story about living in the Chernobyl zone, a world with its own rules, an almost primitive community that the director knows from the inside. ”
The Wouter Barendrecht Award winner “Santa y Delfin” (Cuba), by Carlos Lechuga is produced by Claudia Calvino and Producciones de la 5ta Avenida. Cuba, homosexuality, censorship, working class and intellectuals, a young talented director and a real story - real potential for a hit project.
On presenting the award Managing Director of Fortissimo Films, Nelleke Driessen commented “The Wouter Barendrecht Foundation (Wbf) encourages the work of talented young filmmakers, we encourage daring films, films that oppose social conventions, with a large urgency. There were 8 films eligible for this award, but in the end only one can win and 'Santa y Delfin' stood out amongst all - if Wouter were here he would be thrilled with the choice. ”
CineMart Selected Projects
"A Shining Flaw" by Erwin Olaf
Eyeworks Film & TV Drama, Netherlands
"Cobain" by Nanouk Leopold
Circe Films/Waterland Film, Netherlands
"Vita & Virginia" by Sacha Polak
Mirror Productions/Viking Film, United Kingdom/Netherlands
"Tonic Immobility" by Nathalie Teirlinck
Savage Film/Ctm Pictures, Belgium/France/Netherlands
"The Miracle of the Sargasso Sea" by Syllas Tzoumerkas
Homemade Films/Prpl, Greece/Netherlands
"Angel" by Koen Mortier
Czar Film/Tobina Films/Anonymes Films, Belgium/Senegal/France
"Ceux qui travaillent" by Antoine Russbach
Box Productions, Switzerland
"Cunningham" by Alla Kovgan
Arsam International/Chance Operations, France/USA
"La Fille de l’Estuaire" by Gaëlle Denis
Life to Live Films, United Kingdom/France
"Holiday" by Isabella Eklöf
Dharmafilm/Beofilm, Denmark
"Luxembourg" by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy
Tandem Production/Garmata Film, Ukraine/Germany
"Bat, Butterfly, Moth" by Sergio Caballero
Corte y Confección de Películas/Am Films, Spain
"The Gray Beyond" by Alejandro Fernández Almendras
Jirafa Films/Wa Entertainment, Chile/Japan
"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of the War" by Khavn
Kamias Overground, Philippines
"Rojo" by Benjamin Naishtat
Pucará Cine, Argentina
"La Barracuda" by Jason Cortlund & Julia Halperin
Small Drama/Hot Metal Films/Blue Suitcase Productions, USA
"Boyfriend" by Ashim Ahluwalia
Future East Film, India
"Gabriel and the Mountain" by Fellipe Barbosa
TvZero/Gamarosa Filmes, Brazil
"Los Delincuentes" by Rodrigo Moreno
Compañía Amateur/Rizoma, Argentina
"Santa y Delfín" by Carlos Lechuga
Producciones de la 5ta Avenida, Cuba
"Kodokushi" by Janus Victoria
Paperheart, Philippines/Malaysia/Japan
Art:Film projects "Cactus Flower" by Hala Elkoussy
Transit Films, Egypt
"Hurrah, Wir Leben Noch" by Agnieszka Polska
Kijora Anna Gawlita/Museum of Modern Art Poland, Poland/Germany
"Mr Sing Sing" by Phil Collins
Shady Lane Productions, Germany/USA
Audience Awards Winners
The awards, as voted for by the public audience attending the Festival, were announced this evening at the Iffr 2015 Closing Night Ceremony, hosted by Festival Director, Rutger Wolfson and Managing Director, Janneke Staarink. James Napier Robertson was awarded the Iffr Audience Award 2015 of €10,000 for his film "The Dark Horse." The award is Napier’s second of the Festival following the MovieZone Iffr Award which was presented on Friday, January 30th at the Iffr Awards Ceremony. The Hubert Bals Fund Dioraphte Award, also of €10,000, presented to the most popular film which received support from the Hubert Bals Fund (Hbf) went to Oscar Ruiz Navia for "Los Hongos," an autobiographical drama centering on the youth culture of Cali, Colombia.
Read More - Toronto Review: Cliff Curtis is a Fallen Champion Turned Mentor in "The Dark Horse"
On the announcement of the Iffr Audience Award 2015 Wolfson commented “The audiences who come from all over the Netherlands and around the world to participate in the Festival and explore our diverse, thought provoking programme are integral to Iffr. It would not be the special Festival it is without them so we would like to thank all who joined us in celebrating cinema this year and of course congratulations to James who created a wonderful, personal film.”
On the announcement of the Hubert Bals Fund Dioraphte Award, Manager of the Hubert Bals Fund, Iwana Chronis commented “I am thrilled with the reception the Hbf supported films received throughout the twelve days of the Festival. Oscar Ruiz Navia is a talented filmmaker with a long and successful career ahead of him, this recognition is fully deserved, we are so pleased to have been a part of helping getting this film to the big screen .”
A highly acclaimed drama, "The Dark Horse" tells the true and moving story of Genesis Potini, who fought for the future of disadvantaged children in New Zealand until his death in 2011. In spite of his own bipolar disorder, he taught them to play chess and fight for opportunities. "The Dark Horse" is both amusing and raw, and above all intensely moving. Born in New Zealand, director James Napier Robertson made a name for himself in the world of television before switching to cinema. He appeared as an actor in the series "The Tribe" and "Shortland Street." He directed his first feature film "I’m Not Harry Jenson" in 2009.
Directed by Oscar Ruiz Navia, "Los Hongos" is an autobiographically inspired drama based around two skater friends who are at the heart of the colorful, noisy street and youth culture of Cali, Colombia. With a warm heart, Ruiz tells the story of Ras and Calvin, who are looking for their own voice, a stage and of course freedom, love and fun. Born in Colombia, Oscar Ruiz Navia’s debut film "Crab Trap" won a Fipresci Award at the Berlinale in 2010. Prior to that he was focused on the development and production of independent cinema in Colombia and founded the production company Contravia Films having previously studied Social Communications and Journalism.
Top 5 Audience Award Iffr 2015
"The Dark Horse" "The Farewell Party" "Loin des Hommes" "La Vie de Jean-Marie" "Alice Cares" Top 5 Hbf Dioraphte Award 2015
"Los Hongos" "La Mujer de los Perros" (Dog Lady) "Nn" "Court" "The Tribe" The full list can be found on the Festival's website:
www.iffr.com/professionals/iffr-2015/iffr-audience-award-2015...
The project has a budget of €1.5 million and is half financed by the Ukrainean State Film Agency. It received a grant from Hubert Bals Fund earlier and will be at Berlin’s Efm Coproduction Market next week. This U.K.-German-French coproduction is being sold internationally by Ultra Violet who sold writer-director Myroslav Slaboshptyskly’s first film “The Tribe” to 35 territories. Myroslav and I spoke at Sundance and he gave me a link to his short “Nuclear Waste” which is a pilot for this film, shot in the Chernobyl exclusion zone and awarded the Silver Leopard of Tomorrow at the Locarno Film Festival and showed at many festivals.
CineMart 2015 awards were announced recently, marking the close of the 32nd edition of the co-production market. Dutch/French/Belgian production “Tonic Immobility” was awarded the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of €20,000, which is given to a project presented by a European producer.
CineMart selected 24 international projects to participate in the four day event which has been one of the most successful in recent years. A panel discussion to launch Iffr’s new VoD initiative, Tiger Release, was well attended with several filmmakers now in discussion with the Iffr team on releasing their new films via this platform. Multiple conferences and panels covering topics ranging from “Making the most of a film festival” to “The Director-Producer Partnership” were held in front of packed audiences who were invited to be involved in the debates and receive advice. The "Creative Europe Day" on Tuesday, January 27th which offered advice and guidance on creating beyond the boundaries of Europe proved one of the highlights of Iffr 2015.
On making the announcement Head of Industry & CineMart, Marit van den Elshout commented “The quality of our line-up this year is something the whole team is very proud of - so many standout projects with talented teams behind them, the award winners exemplify this. We hosted multiple extremely well attended panels and conversations, experienced great success with the launch of Tiger Release and the enthusiasm with which our Creative Europe day was received all adds up to one of the strongest CineMart’s in a long time. ”
This year’s Eurimages Co-Production Development Award winner, “Tonic Immobility” by Nathalie Teirlinck, (The Netherlands, France, Belgium), is a Bart van Langendonck, Xavier Rombaut, Savage Film production. It tells the story of Alice, an escort who abandons her baby son Robin. Unexpectedly, seven years later Alice is reunited with the boy and they must find a way to co-exist while Alice is confronted with the fact that true emotions can't be controlled and that intimacy can lead to vulnerability. On the Jury’s decision Dorien van de Pas commented “ The award is being given to a project from a multitalented first time feature director who will tell a very emotional, universal story. His short films demonstrate a strong visual style in combination with a great focus on sound. ”
The Arte International Prize winner “Luxembourg”, (Ukraine, Germany) by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy, and produced by Anna Katchko with Tandem Production is a film noir with touches of a western. A great project by a very talented director, stunningly set up for a strong and cinematic story. On presenting the award Annamaria Lodato commented. “This year the Arte International Prize is awarded to a talented, daring and radical director. He is preparing a film that explores a world unknown to most of us: today’s Chernobyl. Far from being a ‘disaster film’, it is a story about living in the Chernobyl zone, a world with its own rules, an almost primitive community that the director knows from the inside. ”
The Wouter Barendrecht Award winner “Santa y Delfin” (Cuba), by Carlos Lechuga is produced by Claudia Calvino and Producciones de la 5ta Avenida. Cuba, homosexuality, censorship, working class and intellectuals, a young talented director and a real story - real potential for a hit project.
On presenting the award Managing Director of Fortissimo Films, Nelleke Driessen commented “The Wouter Barendrecht Foundation (Wbf) encourages the work of talented young filmmakers, we encourage daring films, films that oppose social conventions, with a large urgency. There were 8 films eligible for this award, but in the end only one can win and 'Santa y Delfin' stood out amongst all - if Wouter were here he would be thrilled with the choice. ”
CineMart Selected Projects
"A Shining Flaw" by Erwin Olaf
Eyeworks Film & TV Drama, Netherlands
"Cobain" by Nanouk Leopold
Circe Films/Waterland Film, Netherlands
"Vita & Virginia" by Sacha Polak
Mirror Productions/Viking Film, United Kingdom/Netherlands
"Tonic Immobility" by Nathalie Teirlinck
Savage Film/Ctm Pictures, Belgium/France/Netherlands
"The Miracle of the Sargasso Sea" by Syllas Tzoumerkas
Homemade Films/Prpl, Greece/Netherlands
"Angel" by Koen Mortier
Czar Film/Tobina Films/Anonymes Films, Belgium/Senegal/France
"Ceux qui travaillent" by Antoine Russbach
Box Productions, Switzerland
"Cunningham" by Alla Kovgan
Arsam International/Chance Operations, France/USA
"La Fille de l’Estuaire" by Gaëlle Denis
Life to Live Films, United Kingdom/France
"Holiday" by Isabella Eklöf
Dharmafilm/Beofilm, Denmark
"Luxembourg" by Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy
Tandem Production/Garmata Film, Ukraine/Germany
"Bat, Butterfly, Moth" by Sergio Caballero
Corte y Confección de Películas/Am Films, Spain
"The Gray Beyond" by Alejandro Fernández Almendras
Jirafa Films/Wa Entertainment, Chile/Japan
"Only the Dead Have Seen the End of the War" by Khavn
Kamias Overground, Philippines
"Rojo" by Benjamin Naishtat
Pucará Cine, Argentina
"La Barracuda" by Jason Cortlund & Julia Halperin
Small Drama/Hot Metal Films/Blue Suitcase Productions, USA
"Boyfriend" by Ashim Ahluwalia
Future East Film, India
"Gabriel and the Mountain" by Fellipe Barbosa
TvZero/Gamarosa Filmes, Brazil
"Los Delincuentes" by Rodrigo Moreno
Compañía Amateur/Rizoma, Argentina
"Santa y Delfín" by Carlos Lechuga
Producciones de la 5ta Avenida, Cuba
"Kodokushi" by Janus Victoria
Paperheart, Philippines/Malaysia/Japan
Art:Film projects "Cactus Flower" by Hala Elkoussy
Transit Films, Egypt
"Hurrah, Wir Leben Noch" by Agnieszka Polska
Kijora Anna Gawlita/Museum of Modern Art Poland, Poland/Germany
"Mr Sing Sing" by Phil Collins
Shady Lane Productions, Germany/USA
Audience Awards Winners
The awards, as voted for by the public audience attending the Festival, were announced this evening at the Iffr 2015 Closing Night Ceremony, hosted by Festival Director, Rutger Wolfson and Managing Director, Janneke Staarink. James Napier Robertson was awarded the Iffr Audience Award 2015 of €10,000 for his film "The Dark Horse." The award is Napier’s second of the Festival following the MovieZone Iffr Award which was presented on Friday, January 30th at the Iffr Awards Ceremony. The Hubert Bals Fund Dioraphte Award, also of €10,000, presented to the most popular film which received support from the Hubert Bals Fund (Hbf) went to Oscar Ruiz Navia for "Los Hongos," an autobiographical drama centering on the youth culture of Cali, Colombia.
Read More - Toronto Review: Cliff Curtis is a Fallen Champion Turned Mentor in "The Dark Horse"
On the announcement of the Iffr Audience Award 2015 Wolfson commented “The audiences who come from all over the Netherlands and around the world to participate in the Festival and explore our diverse, thought provoking programme are integral to Iffr. It would not be the special Festival it is without them so we would like to thank all who joined us in celebrating cinema this year and of course congratulations to James who created a wonderful, personal film.”
On the announcement of the Hubert Bals Fund Dioraphte Award, Manager of the Hubert Bals Fund, Iwana Chronis commented “I am thrilled with the reception the Hbf supported films received throughout the twelve days of the Festival. Oscar Ruiz Navia is a talented filmmaker with a long and successful career ahead of him, this recognition is fully deserved, we are so pleased to have been a part of helping getting this film to the big screen .”
A highly acclaimed drama, "The Dark Horse" tells the true and moving story of Genesis Potini, who fought for the future of disadvantaged children in New Zealand until his death in 2011. In spite of his own bipolar disorder, he taught them to play chess and fight for opportunities. "The Dark Horse" is both amusing and raw, and above all intensely moving. Born in New Zealand, director James Napier Robertson made a name for himself in the world of television before switching to cinema. He appeared as an actor in the series "The Tribe" and "Shortland Street." He directed his first feature film "I’m Not Harry Jenson" in 2009.
Directed by Oscar Ruiz Navia, "Los Hongos" is an autobiographically inspired drama based around two skater friends who are at the heart of the colorful, noisy street and youth culture of Cali, Colombia. With a warm heart, Ruiz tells the story of Ras and Calvin, who are looking for their own voice, a stage and of course freedom, love and fun. Born in Colombia, Oscar Ruiz Navia’s debut film "Crab Trap" won a Fipresci Award at the Berlinale in 2010. Prior to that he was focused on the development and production of independent cinema in Colombia and founded the production company Contravia Films having previously studied Social Communications and Journalism.
Top 5 Audience Award Iffr 2015
"The Dark Horse" "The Farewell Party" "Loin des Hommes" "La Vie de Jean-Marie" "Alice Cares" Top 5 Hbf Dioraphte Award 2015
"Los Hongos" "La Mujer de los Perros" (Dog Lady) "Nn" "Court" "The Tribe" The full list can be found on the Festival's website:
www.iffr.com/professionals/iffr-2015/iffr-audience-award-2015...
- 2/5/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights outside South Africa to Mark Dornford-May’s Breathe Umphefumlo, which will premiere Out Of Competition at the upcoming Berlin film festival.
The film transports Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Boheme to contemporary South Africa and includes songs in Xhosa, one of the official languages of South Africa.
Dornford-May previously directed U-Carmen, which gave the same treatment to Bizet’s Carmen and won Berlin’s Golden Bear in 2005.
Produced by South Africa’s Advantage Entertainment and Isango Ensemble and the UK’s Film and Music Entertainment (F&Me), the film is written by Dornford-May and Pauline Malefane with musical direction by Mandisi Dyantyis.
The story follows a group of artists, writers and actors struggling to survive in the township of Khayelitsha, which has high rates of tuberculosis, in common with 19th Century Paris, the original setting of La Boheme.
The film is set for theatrical release in South Africa later this year...
The film transports Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Boheme to contemporary South Africa and includes songs in Xhosa, one of the official languages of South Africa.
Dornford-May previously directed U-Carmen, which gave the same treatment to Bizet’s Carmen and won Berlin’s Golden Bear in 2005.
Produced by South Africa’s Advantage Entertainment and Isango Ensemble and the UK’s Film and Music Entertainment (F&Me), the film is written by Dornford-May and Pauline Malefane with musical direction by Mandisi Dyantyis.
The story follows a group of artists, writers and actors struggling to survive in the township of Khayelitsha, which has high rates of tuberculosis, in common with 19th Century Paris, the original setting of La Boheme.
The film is set for theatrical release in South Africa later this year...
- 1/27/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Culinary documentary to receive world premiere at Berlin next month.
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights (excluding Benelux) to culinary documentary feature Sergio Herman, Fucking Perfect, which will receive its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival (Feb 5-15).
Fortissimo has previously served up food-related docs at Berlin including Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Food Inc. and Super Size Me.
The new film, directed by Willemiek Kluijfhout, centres on master chef Sergio Herman, who decides to let go of his three-star restaurant Oud Sluis in order to fulfill his dreams.
It is produced by Amsterdam-based Reinette van de Stadt through her documentary production company Trueworks. Kluijfhout’s previous film, Mussels in Love, was the opening film of Berlin’s Culinary Cinema strand in 2013.
Sergio Herman, Fucking Perfect will be presented at the Berlinale where a special meal will be prepared and presented on the occasion of the world premiere. The film will also show in the Efm...
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights (excluding Benelux) to culinary documentary feature Sergio Herman, Fucking Perfect, which will receive its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival (Feb 5-15).
Fortissimo has previously served up food-related docs at Berlin including Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Food Inc. and Super Size Me.
The new film, directed by Willemiek Kluijfhout, centres on master chef Sergio Herman, who decides to let go of his three-star restaurant Oud Sluis in order to fulfill his dreams.
It is produced by Amsterdam-based Reinette van de Stadt through her documentary production company Trueworks. Kluijfhout’s previous film, Mussels in Love, was the opening film of Berlin’s Culinary Cinema strand in 2013.
Sergio Herman, Fucking Perfect will be presented at the Berlinale where a special meal will be prepared and presented on the occasion of the world premiere. The film will also show in the Efm...
- 1/23/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Fortissimo takes world rights except Japan for Mirai Konishi’s feature documentary Kampai! For The Love Of Sake.
Fortissimo will start pre-sales at Afm for the film, which is currently in production. Early footage will be shown to buyers.
The English and Japanese-language film delves into the fascinating world of the Japanese liquor — as seen through the eyes of three unique outsiders who devote their lives to becoming sake experts. They are a sake brewer, a sake journalist and the young president of a century-old sake brewery.
The film is produced by Konishi’s L.A. based Wagamama Media LLC, along with La based producer, Chiaki Yanagimoto (Samurai Avenger).
The film is executive produced by Nao Komai and Synca Creations CEO, Soojun Bae and will be presented In Association with Fortissimo Films.
The deal was strucky by Fortissimo chairman Michael J Werner and Yanagimoto.
Werner and Fortissimo MD Nelleke Driessen will take executive producer credits on the...
Fortissimo will start pre-sales at Afm for the film, which is currently in production. Early footage will be shown to buyers.
The English and Japanese-language film delves into the fascinating world of the Japanese liquor — as seen through the eyes of three unique outsiders who devote their lives to becoming sake experts. They are a sake brewer, a sake journalist and the young president of a century-old sake brewery.
The film is produced by Konishi’s L.A. based Wagamama Media LLC, along with La based producer, Chiaki Yanagimoto (Samurai Avenger).
The film is executive produced by Nao Komai and Synca Creations CEO, Soojun Bae and will be presented In Association with Fortissimo Films.
The deal was strucky by Fortissimo chairman Michael J Werner and Yanagimoto.
Werner and Fortissimo MD Nelleke Driessen will take executive producer credits on the...
- 10/29/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Fortissimo Films has announced that Winnie Lau is leaving after 13 years with the company to join a leading production house in a senior capacity.
Lau served in a variety of roles at Fortissimo in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, New York and most recently Beijing. Her new appointment will be announced in the next few days.
Fortissimo Films chairman Michael J. Werner said: “Winnie has been a member of this special Fortissimo family for such a long time and we will all dearly miss her yet we are proud and thrilled for her that this unique opportunity has presented itself for her to work with an award-winning director and producer in order to pursue a new phase in her career.”
Lau said: “Fortissimo is such a fantastic place for me to have come of age in the industry. I had a great time and a great many years there and worked for and with some incredibly passionate and dedicated...
Lau served in a variety of roles at Fortissimo in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, New York and most recently Beijing. Her new appointment will be announced in the next few days.
Fortissimo Films chairman Michael J. Werner said: “Winnie has been a member of this special Fortissimo family for such a long time and we will all dearly miss her yet we are proud and thrilled for her that this unique opportunity has presented itself for her to work with an award-winning director and producer in order to pursue a new phase in her career.”
Lau said: “Fortissimo is such a fantastic place for me to have come of age in the industry. I had a great time and a great many years there and worked for and with some incredibly passionate and dedicated...
- 9/17/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: European cinemas and VOD platforms to host films simultaneously with Rotterdam festival launches.
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) has confirmed Jan-Willem van Ewijk’s Atlantic as the first title for its new series of cinema and VOD screenings across Europe.
The Iffr Live! Series is created in partnership with Fortissimo Films, TrustNordisk and Doc & Film.
Five film premieres will be held during Iffr in January and screen simultaneously in European cinemas and on VOD platforms.
Iffr Director Rutger Wolfson said: “The way films are viewed is constantly evolving in the 21st Century. Iffr together with Fortissimo Films, TrustNordisk and Doc & Film are committed to finding new and innovative ways to bring great films from talented filmmakers to as wide an audience as possible.
“Innovation and commitment to world cinema are cornerstones of Iffr, and Iffr Live! exemplifies this, with all those involved dedicated to making it a success in its inaugural year and for many...
The International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) has confirmed Jan-Willem van Ewijk’s Atlantic as the first title for its new series of cinema and VOD screenings across Europe.
The Iffr Live! Series is created in partnership with Fortissimo Films, TrustNordisk and Doc & Film.
Five film premieres will be held during Iffr in January and screen simultaneously in European cinemas and on VOD platforms.
Iffr Director Rutger Wolfson said: “The way films are viewed is constantly evolving in the 21st Century. Iffr together with Fortissimo Films, TrustNordisk and Doc & Film are committed to finding new and innovative ways to bring great films from talented filmmakers to as wide an audience as possible.
“Innovation and commitment to world cinema are cornerstones of Iffr, and Iffr Live! exemplifies this, with all those involved dedicated to making it a success in its inaugural year and for many...
- 9/8/2014
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Screen previews the Sarajevo Film Festival’s industry events, which includes a UK focus, the annual Regional Forum and highlights of the Work in Progress and CineLink projects.
Over the last ten years, Southeast Europe’s most important film event Sarajevo Film Festival has also become its main industry hub.
What started in 2003 with CineLink, a co-production market initially modeled after Rotterdam’s CineMart, has developed into an increasingly wide array of industry events, simultaneously expanding from the region towards Caucasus countries, and in recent years aiming to spread its activities and networking overseas, in partnerships with the Doha Film Institute, the Arab Fund for Arts & Culture, and from this year, Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (Imcine).
While the Industry Days peak in the final part of the festival, from August 20-23, its activities started on Sunday [17], with the presentation of the newly established Sarajevo City of Film Fund.
In addition to CineLink, the heart of...
Over the last ten years, Southeast Europe’s most important film event Sarajevo Film Festival has also become its main industry hub.
What started in 2003 with CineLink, a co-production market initially modeled after Rotterdam’s CineMart, has developed into an increasingly wide array of industry events, simultaneously expanding from the region towards Caucasus countries, and in recent years aiming to spread its activities and networking overseas, in partnerships with the Doha Film Institute, the Arab Fund for Arts & Culture, and from this year, Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (Imcine).
While the Industry Days peak in the final part of the festival, from August 20-23, its activities started on Sunday [17], with the presentation of the newly established Sarajevo City of Film Fund.
In addition to CineLink, the heart of...
- 8/18/2014
- by vladan.petkovic@gmail.com (Vladan Petkovic)
- ScreenDaily
Seven projects will take part in WiP, and three more titles have been added to CineLink line-up
The Sarajevo Film Festival has announced seven projects from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Israel, Kazakhstan, Romania, Slovenia and Serbia that have been picked to take part in his year’s CineLink Work in Progress sessions.
CineLink’s Work in Progress sessions (Aug 20-21) present promising films currently in post-production to specially invited decision-makers from the European film industry, interested in engaging in their completion or distribution.
The line-up consists of six fiction projects, including new films by Romania’s Tudor Giurgiu (Of Snails And Men), Kazakhstan’s Emir Baigazin (Harmony Lessons), Slovenia’s Vlado Škafar (Dad), and the new documentary by Serbia’s Mila Turajlić (Cinema Komunisto), selected from the festival’s documentary workshop Docu Rough Cut Boutique.
The Work in Progress jury, consisting of Nelleke Driessen, Managing Director, Fortissimo Films; Meinolf Zurhorst, Commissioning Editor...
The Sarajevo Film Festival has announced seven projects from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Israel, Kazakhstan, Romania, Slovenia and Serbia that have been picked to take part in his year’s CineLink Work in Progress sessions.
CineLink’s Work in Progress sessions (Aug 20-21) present promising films currently in post-production to specially invited decision-makers from the European film industry, interested in engaging in their completion or distribution.
The line-up consists of six fiction projects, including new films by Romania’s Tudor Giurgiu (Of Snails And Men), Kazakhstan’s Emir Baigazin (Harmony Lessons), Slovenia’s Vlado Škafar (Dad), and the new documentary by Serbia’s Mila Turajlić (Cinema Komunisto), selected from the festival’s documentary workshop Docu Rough Cut Boutique.
The Work in Progress jury, consisting of Nelleke Driessen, Managing Director, Fortissimo Films; Meinolf Zurhorst, Commissioning Editor...
- 8/8/2014
- by vladan.petkovic@gmail.com (Vladan Petkovic)
- ScreenDaily
Fortissimo Films has added two Last Summer from Italy and Atlantic from the Netherlands to its Cannes slate.
Fortissimo Films is to begin pre-sales at the Cannes market on Italian feature Last Summer and Dutch film Atlantic. Both are currently in post-production and slated for festival launches later this year.
Fortissimo will handle worldwide sales for both outside their respective countries of origin and will introduce the films to buyers during the Marche with exclusive footage.
Last Summer marks the feature debut of London-based Italian commercials and short film director Leonardo Guerra Seragnoli.
Starring Rinko Kikuchi (Babel), the English and Japanese language film also introduces child actor Ken Brady. Produced by Elda Ferri (Jean Vigo Italia), Luigi Musini (Cinemaundici) and Rai Cinema, the film was written by Seragnoli and Igort. Acclaimed Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto is a contributing writer on the film.
The film is partially set on a luxury yacht anchored off the coast of Apulia...
Fortissimo Films is to begin pre-sales at the Cannes market on Italian feature Last Summer and Dutch film Atlantic. Both are currently in post-production and slated for festival launches later this year.
Fortissimo will handle worldwide sales for both outside their respective countries of origin and will introduce the films to buyers during the Marche with exclusive footage.
Last Summer marks the feature debut of London-based Italian commercials and short film director Leonardo Guerra Seragnoli.
Starring Rinko Kikuchi (Babel), the English and Japanese language film also introduces child actor Ken Brady. Produced by Elda Ferri (Jean Vigo Italia), Luigi Musini (Cinemaundici) and Rai Cinema, the film was written by Seragnoli and Igort. Acclaimed Japanese writer Banana Yoshimoto is a contributing writer on the film.
The film is partially set on a luxury yacht anchored off the coast of Apulia...
- 5/9/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Fortissimo takes world rights to survival thriller that pits a writer against a hitman who gets more than he bargained for.
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, outside Benelux and Scandinavia, to writer/director Alex van Warmerdam’s upcoming project, Schneider vs. Bax (working title).
The project is Van Warmerdam’s first since Borgman, which screened In Competition at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Fortissimo is commencing pre-sales immediately.
Schneider vs. Bax revolves around two men, a contract killer and a writer, battling each other for survival. Schneider, the contract killer and a devoted family man, is offered a rush job on the morning of his birthday to liquidate Ramon Bax. Bax is a 50 year old writer living in his secluded cabin by the lake. What seems to be a simple assignment turns out to be more than expected.
Fortissimo Films’ long time partner, production company Graniet Film, is currently...
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, outside Benelux and Scandinavia, to writer/director Alex van Warmerdam’s upcoming project, Schneider vs. Bax (working title).
The project is Van Warmerdam’s first since Borgman, which screened In Competition at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Fortissimo is commencing pre-sales immediately.
Schneider vs. Bax revolves around two men, a contract killer and a writer, battling each other for survival. Schneider, the contract killer and a devoted family man, is offered a rush job on the morning of his birthday to liquidate Ramon Bax. Bax is a 50 year old writer living in his secluded cabin by the lake. What seems to be a simple assignment turns out to be more than expected.
Fortissimo Films’ long time partner, production company Graniet Film, is currently...
- 2/11/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Fortissimo takes world rights to survival thriller that pits a writer against a hitman, who gets more than he bargained for.
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, outside Benelux and Scandinavia, to writer/director Alex van Warmerdam’s upcoming project, Schneider vs. Bax (working title).
The project is Van Warmerdam’s first since Borgman, which screened In Competition at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Fortissimo is commencing pre-sales immediately.
Schneider vs. Bax revolves around two men, a contract killer and a writer, battling each other for survival. Schneider, the contract killer and a devoted family man, is offered a rush job on the morning of his birthday to liquidate Ramon Bax. Bax is a 50 year old writer living in his secluded cabin by the lake. What seems to be a simple assignment turns out to be more than expected.
Fortissimo Films’ long time partner, production company Graniet Film, is currently...
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, outside Benelux and Scandinavia, to writer/director Alex van Warmerdam’s upcoming project, Schneider vs. Bax (working title).
The project is Van Warmerdam’s first since Borgman, which screened In Competition at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Fortissimo is commencing pre-sales immediately.
Schneider vs. Bax revolves around two men, a contract killer and a writer, battling each other for survival. Schneider, the contract killer and a devoted family man, is offered a rush job on the morning of his birthday to liquidate Ramon Bax. Bax is a 50 year old writer living in his secluded cabin by the lake. What seems to be a simple assignment turns out to be more than expected.
Fortissimo Films’ long time partner, production company Graniet Film, is currently...
- 2/11/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Fortissimo takes world rights to survival thriller that pits a writer against a hitman who gets more than he bargained for.
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, outside Benelux and Scandinavia, to writer/director Alex van Warmerdam’s upcoming project, Schneider vs. Bax (working title).
The project is Van Warmerdam’s first since Borgman, which screened In Competition at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Fortissimo is commencing pre-sales immediately.
Schneider vs. Bax revolves around two men, a contract killer and a writer, battling each other for survival. Schneider, the contract killer and a devoted family man, is offered a rush job on the morning of his birthday to liquidate Ramon Bax. Bax is a 50 year old writer living in his secluded cabin by the lake. What seems to be a simple assignment turns out to be more than expected.
Fortissimo Films’ long time partner, production company Graniet Film, is currently...
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, outside Benelux and Scandinavia, to writer/director Alex van Warmerdam’s upcoming project, Schneider vs. Bax (working title).
The project is Van Warmerdam’s first since Borgman, which screened In Competition at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. Fortissimo is commencing pre-sales immediately.
Schneider vs. Bax revolves around two men, a contract killer and a writer, battling each other for survival. Schneider, the contract killer and a devoted family man, is offered a rush job on the morning of his birthday to liquidate Ramon Bax. Bax is a 50 year old writer living in his secluded cabin by the lake. What seems to be a simple assignment turns out to be more than expected.
Fortissimo Films’ long time partner, production company Graniet Film, is currently...
- 2/11/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Pre-sales to commence on Dutch film Lucia De B. and Ghadi from Lebanon in Berlin next week.
Fortissimo Films has revealed two additions to its Berlin slate: Lucia De B. (working title) from The Netherlands and Ghadi from Lebanon.
Both films are in post-production and slated for festival launches later in the year.
Fortissimo will handle worldwide sales outside the respective countries of origin and will introduce the films to buyers by showing exclusive footage at the European Film Market (Efm), which starts next week.
Lucia De B., produced by Rinkel Film, is the latest from Dutch director Paula Van der Oest, who was Oscar-nominated for Zus & Zo. Zus & Zo).
The film is a thriller based on one of the Netherlands most controversial court cases. Veteran nurse Lucia de B. was sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly having killed seven patients under her care at various hospitals. But an assistant district attorney discovers a number of inconsistencies...
Fortissimo Films has revealed two additions to its Berlin slate: Lucia De B. (working title) from The Netherlands and Ghadi from Lebanon.
Both films are in post-production and slated for festival launches later in the year.
Fortissimo will handle worldwide sales outside the respective countries of origin and will introduce the films to buyers by showing exclusive footage at the European Film Market (Efm), which starts next week.
Lucia De B., produced by Rinkel Film, is the latest from Dutch director Paula Van der Oest, who was Oscar-nominated for Zus & Zo. Zus & Zo).
The film is a thriller based on one of the Netherlands most controversial court cases. Veteran nurse Lucia de B. was sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly having killed seven patients under her care at various hospitals. But an assistant district attorney discovers a number of inconsistencies...
- 1/31/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Sweden’s B-Reel produces globetrotting culinary feature documentary.
Ahead of the Afm’s kickoff, Fortissimo Films has acquired world rights (excluding Scandinavia) to documentary Foodies directed by Thomas Jackson, Charlotte Landelius and Henrik Stockare.
The feature film explores the growing worldwide phenomena of the titular ‘foodies,’ passionate, food loving, blog-writing, globe-trotting culinary jet-setters. The film follows the dining elite across the world.
Fortissimo has previously had a string of foodie documentary hits including Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Food Inc and Super Size Me.
The deal was negotiated by Fortissimo’s Chairman Michael J. Werner and Managing Director Nelleke Driessen together with Mattias Nohrborg of B-Reel on behalf of the producers. Sales are set to commence here at the Afm, where Fortissimo will show exclusive footage.
Werner said, “The pursuit of great meals, and new food adventures has become an omnipresent and global phenomena. Witness your dining companions snapping food photos, to your friends...
Ahead of the Afm’s kickoff, Fortissimo Films has acquired world rights (excluding Scandinavia) to documentary Foodies directed by Thomas Jackson, Charlotte Landelius and Henrik Stockare.
The feature film explores the growing worldwide phenomena of the titular ‘foodies,’ passionate, food loving, blog-writing, globe-trotting culinary jet-setters. The film follows the dining elite across the world.
Fortissimo has previously had a string of foodie documentary hits including Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Food Inc and Super Size Me.
The deal was negotiated by Fortissimo’s Chairman Michael J. Werner and Managing Director Nelleke Driessen together with Mattias Nohrborg of B-Reel on behalf of the producers. Sales are set to commence here at the Afm, where Fortissimo will show exclusive footage.
Werner said, “The pursuit of great meals, and new food adventures has become an omnipresent and global phenomena. Witness your dining companions snapping food photos, to your friends...
- 11/5/2013
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Fortissimo Films takes rights to Richie Mehta’s second feature, which will receive its world premiere at Venice.
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, excluding Canada and India, to Siddharth, Canadian director Richie Mehta’s follow-up to Amal.
The Canadian-Indian co-production will receive its world premiere at the 70th Venice International Film Festival in Venice Days, followed by its North American premiere in Toronto at Tiff in the Contemporary World Cinema section.
Written and directed by Mehta, Siddharth centres on an itinerant labourer who embarks on a journey across India in search of his 12-year-old son, who disappeared without a trace after working at a factory.
The film was produced by Steven N. Bray, David Miller and Mehta under their A Poor Man’s Productions label.
Siddharth stars Rajesh Tailang, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Anurag Arora, Geeta Agrawal Sharma and Naseeruddin Shah.
The deal was handled by Fortissimo managing director Nelleke Driessen and the film’s producers Bray and...
Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights, excluding Canada and India, to Siddharth, Canadian director Richie Mehta’s follow-up to Amal.
The Canadian-Indian co-production will receive its world premiere at the 70th Venice International Film Festival in Venice Days, followed by its North American premiere in Toronto at Tiff in the Contemporary World Cinema section.
Written and directed by Mehta, Siddharth centres on an itinerant labourer who embarks on a journey across India in search of his 12-year-old son, who disappeared without a trace after working at a factory.
The film was produced by Steven N. Bray, David Miller and Mehta under their A Poor Man’s Productions label.
Siddharth stars Rajesh Tailang, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Anurag Arora, Geeta Agrawal Sharma and Naseeruddin Shah.
The deal was handled by Fortissimo managing director Nelleke Driessen and the film’s producers Bray and...
- 8/27/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Universal Pictures International Entertainment has struck a deal for all U.K. and Scandinavian rights to the Shangri-La Entertainment/Tuff Gong Pictures produced Bob Marley documentary Marley. The deal for the doc, directed by Oscar winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald, was brokered by managing director of international sales agent Fortissimo Films's Nelleke Driessen. Photos: 7 Hot Films to Watch at Berlin Film Festival 2012 Lucky Red in Italy and Avalon Distribution in Spain have also sealed deals for the movie. The feature length documentary is scheduled for theatrical release in North America and the U.K. April 20, 2012, then will release worldwide
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- 2/10/2012
- by Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
[Very sad and surprising news here, with the sudden passing of Fortissimo Films founder Wouter Barendrecht.]
Fortissimo Films is deeply saddened to confirm that company founder and co-chairman Wouter Barendrecht died on Sunday, April 5, 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand where he had gone to screen a rough cut of Fortissimo’s upcoming Thai co-production Nymph.
Barendrecht was a passionate advocate of independent cinema for his entire career, the last 19 years of which were at Fortissimo Films and previously at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where he helped create the Cinemart co-production forum. His sudden death, of heart failure, is an inestimable loss: to his beloved family and co-workers, his international circle of friends, and film-making itself, where his enthusiasm and drive helped create enduring testaments to his memory.
Although just 43 when he died, Barendrecht’s vision helped a generation of film-makers reach a global audience, particularly in Asia where he moved to Hong Kong in 1997 upon the advice of acclaimed director Wong Kar-wai to set up the Fortissimo...
Fortissimo Films is deeply saddened to confirm that company founder and co-chairman Wouter Barendrecht died on Sunday, April 5, 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand where he had gone to screen a rough cut of Fortissimo’s upcoming Thai co-production Nymph.
Barendrecht was a passionate advocate of independent cinema for his entire career, the last 19 years of which were at Fortissimo Films and previously at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where he helped create the Cinemart co-production forum. His sudden death, of heart failure, is an inestimable loss: to his beloved family and co-workers, his international circle of friends, and film-making itself, where his enthusiasm and drive helped create enduring testaments to his memory.
Although just 43 when he died, Barendrecht’s vision helped a generation of film-makers reach a global audience, particularly in Asia where he moved to Hong Kong in 1997 upon the advice of acclaimed director Wong Kar-wai to set up the Fortissimo...
- 4/6/2009
- by Todd Brown
- Screen Anarchy
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