Apart from the traditional Works in Progress presentation of 10 upcoming Slovak films including minority co-productions, the event will host a panel discussion entitled „Slovakia – Austria: film neighbors“. The discussion should present the current state of the connection between these two countries that are sharing common borders but do not work together on co-productions as much as their closeness implies. We are going to discuss this issue with directors of national film funds and independent producers that are experienced in coproduction between these two countries.
Both events will take place in Cinema Lumiére in the very center of Bratislava on March 7. The participation is free of charge, however, participants should register at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Participants will receive a confirmation email that will admit them to the event.
“Last year we had a very nice panel on cooperation between Slovak and Czech film industries and I am very happy that this year, with the support of new partners like FNE, we can finally start a dialogue with representatives of the Austrian film industry. It may seem strange that two countries so close to each other can cooperate on so many levels but there is still some kind of “iron curtain” between them when it comes to cinema. I am very happy that the dialogue that started two years ago at FNE Focus on Austrian Co-production: Things Have Changed! in Vienna can continue within the programme of MFFK Febiofest,” says Artistic Director of the festival and Industry Days organizer Premysl Martinek.
“I am happy that Febiofest has taken the initiative to move forward on the momentum created at the event FNE Focus on Austrian Co-production: Things Have Changed! that was co-organised by FNE and the Austrian Film Institute just over a year ago in Vienna where nearly 70 Austrian and CEE producers and industry professionals participated. This demonstrates the keen interest there is in to see more co-operation between Austria and CEE, ” Anna Franklin General Director, Film New Europe.
“Although Austria is our close neighbour, the co-operation between Austria and Slovakia has been scarce. Industry Days at MFFK Febiofest Bratislava 2017 are aimed at fostering possible future cooperation between these neighbouring countries, which can eventually, in the long run, prove to be vital for the audiovisual industries of both. I believe that the event has got potential to ignite a much needed spark of mutual cooperation and we will, hopefully, see more of coproduction projects in the years to come.” Rastislav Steranka, director of the National Cinematographic Centre at the Slovak Film Institute.
Works in Progress presentation is part of the festival for the third time. So far it has focused its attention on projects like Little Harbour (Berlinale Generation 2017), The Teacher (IFF Karlovy Vary 2016), Hotel Sunrise (IDFA Amsterdam 2016) among the others. The selection is open to a wide range of productions from animation to experimental films, from documentaries to features.
Another part of Industry Days is a masterclass on worldwide distribution of Slovak Oscar entry Eva Nová by Laurent Danielou from LOCO Film sales company, premiere of a new Slovak feature and of course the Industry Party. As the festival is organised by the Association of Film Clubs, there will be also a presentation of similar distribution entities from all over Europe.
Industry Days project is organised by MFFK Febiofest, Association of Slovak Film Clubs, Slovak Film Institute and Film New Europe. Partners of the event are Creative Europe Desk Slovakia and Creative Europe Desk Austria.
MFFK Febiofest was founded as a twin to its Czech version that is now the Prague International Film Festival Febiofest by the independent producer Fero Fenič. The festival is focused on contemporary and archive cinema with a special focus on auteur driven films and for four years already hosts a short film competition with the main award of 3000 € for the films coming from Visegrad countries and Austria.
