According to FIAPF’s regulations the Black Nights FF will be joining FIAPF accredited world leading film events with international competition programmes such as Cannes, Warsaw, Berlinale, Karlovy Vary, Venice, Tokyo, San Sebastian, Moscow and others. The change in festival accreditation will authorize and give responsibility and opportunity to the Black Nights FF to widen the geographical reach of its international competition programme and include feature films from all over the world effective from the current edition to be held November 14 - 30, 2014.
Benoît Ginisty, Director general of FIAPF says: "In the long process of consultations we have carried out, the Black Nights FF’s will to extend its past EurAsia competition to a non-specialized international competition has been seen as very consensual. It will offer new opportunities for films and will support Black Nights FF’s ambitions without creating unnecessary competition within the international film festivals' community. FIAPF is happy to contribute to the development of the Black Nights FF which proved to be an important platform of exchanges for an increasing number of industry practitioners over the past years".
Tiina Lokk, founder and director of Black Nights FF explains: “There are around 4000 film festivals held annually. While 51 of them are accredited by FIAPF only 14 have been authorized by FIAPF to hold a non-specialized international competition. Thus on the behalf of the festival management and the team, I am deeply moved by the recognition that some 18 years of hard work by the Black Nights’ team have resulted not only in becoming the most influential festival in North-East European Union but also one of the FIAPF accredited non-specialized competitive festivals. The inclusion of Black Nights in the non-specialized category not only remarkably widens our possibilities for programming outreach, but also sets us face to face with an obligation and responsibility towards filmmakers and the industry to match the high standards with the other fourteen member festivals with long history in that category such as Cannes, Berlinale or Venice but also Karlovy Vary, Warsaw, and San Sebastian to name a few”.
Established 18 years ago from a Nordic film week, the Black Nights Film Festival became FIAPF accredited specialized competitive festival in 2008, which further expanded the festival’s international outreach. The current appointment is yet another achievement for the festival, as well as a sign of trust by FIAPF and representatives of international film industry.
“Our focus has always been to organize a film festival that showcases films with high artistic quality and with strong author’s voice, and that’s why the film industry has appreciated our efforts over the years. Thus our aim has and will not be to be driven by glamour and bringing A-list stars to Tallinn. However, the new classification and immensely positive impact on the image of the festival opens up new opportunities for our international partners and filmmakers, but also brings along an equally immense obligations to serve our audiences and the regional filmmakers and film industry alike,” adds Lokk.
Specifically, FIAPF’s new classification sets the Black Nights with a responsibility to provide competition opportunities for previously excluded territories such as Latin America, Africa, Middle East, as well as Australia, and countries with less developed film industries. Additionally the Black Nights is posed to serve as an international gateway to the region through its Industry@Tallinn platform, the fastest developing meeting point for professionals in North Eastern Europe.
FIAPF represents 34 organizations from 29 countries as the only global body of film and television producers. One of the key roles of the federation is to accredit international film festivals to facilitate the relationship between filmmakers and rights holders via the worldwide festival circuit.
In 2013 Black Nights Film Festival screened 220 full-length feature films and 250 short films. 77 600 people attended the festival. The biggest festival in North East Europe invites film fans to the cinema again from 14th to 30th November 2014.
Facts:
- Effective from its 18th edition held November 14 -30, 2014 the Black Nights FF is accredited by FIAPF as non-specialized competitive feature film festival
- The accreditation authorizes Black Nights FF to hold international competition program open to worldwide entries with the requirement of regional (Baltic) premiere
- Other festival members within the category include Berlin, Cannes, Shanghai, Moscow, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, Montreal, Venice, San Sebastian, Warsaw, Tokyo, Cairo, India (Goa), and Mar del Plata film festivals
Contact:
Maris Hellrand (International Press Officer)
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