06-09-2010

Four CEE producers head to PRODUCERS LAB TORONTO

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    WARSAW: Producers from Poland, Hungary, Croatia and the Czech Republic will be heading to Toronto to take part in the Producers Lab Toronto organized by European Film Promotion (EFP) in collaboration with the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

    Ivan Angelusz from Katapult Film (www.katapultfilm.hu -Hungary), Andrzej Jakimowski from Zjednoczenie Artystów i Rzemieślników (ZAiR) (www.zair.eu -Poland), Anikca Juric Tilic from Kinorama (www.kinorama.hr -Croatia) and Monika Kristl from Dawson Production (www.dawson.cz -Czech Republic) will participate in the Lab along with other European and Canadian producers.


    The Polish Film Institute (www.pisf.pl), Croatian Audiovisual Center (www.havc.hr), Czech Film Center (www.filmcenter.cz) and Magyar Filmunio (www.filmunio.hu) respectively are associated with their participation.

    The programme will be launched this year between September 10 -12, during the Toronto International Film Festival. Regarded as the key gateway to the North American market, TIFF has always been important for European films. The MEDIA International programme of the European Union is supporting the initiative financially.

    The programme is designed for independent producers who must have a track record of successful project development and production. Besides demonstrating a strong motivation in co-producing with Canada or Europe, they all have to be experienced in international co-productions and should have one project ready to pitch. The EFP network has selected the European participants from the group of EFP’s PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE between 2006 - 2009. The participants from Canada have been chosen by OMDC and TIFF.

    “Following on from our established PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE programme in Cannes, this new initiative aims to facilitate and increase international co-productions not only between Europeans, but also between European and Canadian producers”, says Renate Rose, EFP Managing Director. “We intend to foster the circulation of European films in Canada as well as Canadian films in Europe. Moreover, PRODUCERS LAB TORONTO will provide a first stage for preparing
    co-productions from countries which have rarely co-produced with Canada to date.”

    “OMDC is committed to supporting our clients with new business opportunities on the international stage”, states Karen Thorne-Stone, President and CEO of the OMDC. “PRODUCERS LAB TORONTO will build important relationships between Canadian and European producers, which we are confident will lead to creative co-productions and long-lasting partnerships. We are excited by the 24 delegates that have been selected and look forward to supporting their future collaborations.”

    Besides various networking opportunities, the three-day event will include pitching sessions, one-to-one-meetings and case studies of completed European / Canadian co-productions, analyses and presentations of financing sources and co-production structures.

    "We are excited about this initiative. Every year TIFF strives to support the Canadian film industry with innovative career-development and networking programmes. PRODUCERS LAB TORONTO will provide an invaluable and exciting opportunity to open doors and facilitate collaboration for talented producers." Karen Bruce, Director, Canadian Initiatives, Toronto International Film Festival.

    European Participants:

    Iván Angelusz, Katapult Film (Hungary) - associated with Magyar Filmunió
    Silje Hopland Eik, Cinenord Spillefilm AS (Norway) - associated with Norwegian Film Institute
    Matti Halonen, Fisher King Production Oy (Finland) - associated with Finnish Film Foundation
    Janine Jackowski, Komplizen Film GmbH (Germany) - associated with German Films
    Andrzej Jakimowski, Zjednoczenie Artystów i Rzemieślników (ZAiR) (Poland) - associated with Polish Film Institute
    Ankica Jurić Tilić, Kinorama (Croatia) - associated with Croatian Audiovisual Centre
    Monika Kristl, Dawson Production (Czech Republic) - associated with Czech Film Center
    Bernard Michaux, lucil s.a r.l. (Luxembourg) - associated with Film Fund Luxembourg
    Martina Niland, Samson Films Ltd. & Accomplice TV (Ireland) - associated with Irish Film Board
    Luis Angel Ramírez, IMVAL Producciones (Spain) - associated with ICAA, Spain
    Marc-Antoine Robert, 2.4.7. Films (France) - associated with Unifrance
    Reinier Selen, Rinkel Film BV (The Netherlands) - associated with EYE Film Institute Netherlands
    Canadian Participants
    Paul Barkin, Alcina Pictures
    Andrew Boutilier, Submission Films
    Robert Budreau, Lumanity Productions
    Damon D'Oliveira, Conquering Lion Pictures
    Trish Dolman, Screen Siren Pictures
    Liz Jarvis, Buffalo Gal Pictures
    Jennifer Jonas, New Real Films
    Jennifer Kawaja, Sienna Films
    Corey Marr, Corey Marr Productions
    Brandi-Ann Milbradt, Philms Pictures
    Martin Paul-Hus, Amérique Film
    Paul Scherzer, Six Island Productions