Support for the promotion of European films at international film festivals and markets

Film Sales Support (FSS), EFP's support scheme for the promotion of European films outside of Europe, is in its seventh year with the help of the MEDIA Programme of the European Union. FSS started in 2004 and has supported 576 promotional campaigns for 530 different European feature films, documentaries and animation films in the years 2004 to 2009. On average, 45% of the supported films are being sold for distribution, in particular to North and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.

FSS financially supports up to 50 per cent of the marketing campaigns of European sales agents or production companies (in cases where films are not handled by a sales agent) at selected international non-European film festivals. For the first time in 2009, the support was extended to the marketing of films at the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART), the Asian Film Market (Pusan, South Korea) and the American Film Market. It is the year in which FSS broke all records by backing 165 films in total.

The scheme complements EFP's existing promotional activities which endeavour to increase the visibility of European film and talent and advance cultural diversity around the world. Costs covered by FSS relate to the production of a subtitled print or betacam, the production of publicity material for marketing purposes, hiring of publicists, booking of market screenings, hospitality for local buyers and travel and hotel costs for the sales representative.

The support is capped at €5,000 for one film and €2,500 for a second or third film per company per festival and market. For the campaigns at markets, companies may only receive funding for two European films of their catalogue. However, as the annual FSS funds are limited it is likely that not all applications can be supported and that some grants might be reduced.

The following festivals and markets are part of FSS in 2010

• Sundance Film Festival
  (21-31 January 2010)

• Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara
  (12-19 March 2010)

• Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART)
  (22-25 March 2010)

• Shanghai International Film Festival
  (12-20 June 2010)

• Toronto International Film Festival
  (9-18 September 2010)

• Rio de Janeiro International Film Festvial
  (23 September - 7 October 2010)

• Asian Film Market
  (10-13 October 2010)

• American Film Market
  (3-10 November 2010)

The FSS operating costs are backed by the German Federal Government's Commissioner for Culture and the Media, by the UK Film Council, by Nordisk Film & TV Fond and by several EFP members. The following EFP member organisations have contributed towards FSS in the past: German Films, ICAA (Spain), ICA (Portugal), the British Council, Film Fund Luxembourg.

Contact

Susanne Davis
Project Manager FSS
Friedensallee 14-16
22765 Hamburg
Tel: +49 40 3906252
Fax: +49 40 3906249
E-mail: davis@efp-online.com