European Film Promotion welcomes Croatia and Serbia as new members

15-10-2008

European Film Promotion welcomes Croatia and Serbia as new members

30 countries will make up the European promotion network

European Film Promotion welcomes

Croatia and Serbia as new members

European Film Promotion (EFP) is continuously reaching further East. The CROATIAN AUDIOVISUAL CENTRE and the FILM CENTER SERBIA (FCS) are about to join EFP, the European-wide network of film promotion and export organisations. The European network will then consist of 29 promotion agencies from 30 countries across Europe. "EFP is very pleased to see these two countries coming on board", says Renate Rose, EFP Managing Director. "The filmmakers from Eastern and Central Europe give a lot of input for the Western countries. This offers new subject-matter, other narrative forms and a different aesthetic. Moreover, it also provides a new market. On the other hand, the new members will benefit a lot from the experience of the established network." EFP's activities are financially supported by its member organizations and the MEDIA Programme of the European Union.

Founded in 2008, the young CROATIAN AUDIOVISUAL CENTRE is eager to foster the visibility of the vibrant Croatian Cinema throughout the world. As a governing and strategic body for the audiovisual sector in Croatia, one of new member's main objectives is to support the positioning and release of Croatian films on the international market. With the acclaimed Ničiji Sin (No One's Son) by Arsen Anton Ostojic, Croatian Cinema is participating at the film festivals in Pusan, Cottbus and Warsaw. The film has also been named as Croatia's official entry for next year's Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Dejan Acimovic's Moram spavat', andjele (I Have to Sleep my Angel) is currently competing for the EFA nominations and received the Audience Award at this yearØs Munich Film Fest. Vinko BreÜan's latest film Nije kraj (Will Not Stop There) has recently been awarded a prize at Croatia's Pula Film Festival. Furthermore, the acclaimed Iza stakla (Behind the Glass) by Zrinko Ogresta, was shown in competition in Karlovy Vary 2008 and since then has been invited to Cairo, Ghent, Denver (US), Kerala and Goteborg.

Albert Kapović, Chief Executive of CROATIAN AUDIOVISUAL CENTRE is very much looking forward to sharing the knowledge and experience with fellow EFP members: "The Croatian Audiovisual Centre is strongly committed to all initiatives aimed at enhancing the visibility of European cinema at major film markets and promoting cultural diversity. We believe that joining the EFP family will bring great benefit to Croatian films and filmmakers and give them the opportunity to contribute on their part to promotion of European cinema and cultural diversity."

Based on the achievement of the historical and highly respected Film Institute, the government-organized FILM CENTER SERBIA (FCS) was established in 2004 under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture. One of the main mandates is to promote the national film industry and make it noticeable and accessible internationally. Drawing on a respected number of films by acclaimed filmmakers such as Emir Kusturica and Stefan Arsenijevic, the FCS is working on re-establishing the country's former reputation as a vibrant cinematography. Serbia's official entry for next year's Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film Turneja (The Tour) by Goran Marković was recently screened at festivals in Montreal (Best director and FIPRESCI Award), Pusan and London and will soon be presented at the film festivals in Raindance, Cairo, Montpellier, Seville, Thessaloniki and Palm Springs. At the moment, Goran Paskaljević is in preproduction on his new film Honeymoon, the first Albanian - Serbian co-production, while Srdjan Karanović is in postproduction of his new film Besa.

Miroljub Vučković, acting director of FCS says: "The current moment of Serbian cinema does not promise a revolution (the times of revolutions are long gone - with the wind!) but indicates that we are approaching an impending turning point. A turning point of expression, as well as of perception of new films coming from Serbia. European Film Promotion is a point of gravity for various initiatives, numerous exchanges of knowledge and experience. It is a moving mirror for all of us who want to give as well as to receive. Becoming a member of EFP presents a new challenge and a new motivation for Serbian film makers."

More information on the CROATIAN AUDIOVISUAL CENTRE at www.havc.hr, and on the FILM CENTER SERBIA at www.fcs.co.rs

Contact:

CROATIAN AUDIOVISUAL CENTRE

Albert Kapović, Chief Executive

Kralja Zvonimira 20

HR 10 000 Zagreb

Phone +385 1- 4655 439

Fax +385 1- 4655 442

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.havc.hr

FILM CENTER SERBIA

Miroljub Vučković, Acting Director