21.09.2009

FSS for more than twice as many films at Rio 2009

EFP at the Rio International Film Festival
24 September – 8 October 2009

With rising numbers of sales agents requesting promotional backing for their European films throughout 2009 at selected festivals and markets, applications for the Rio International Film Festival total 15 in comparison to seven in the previous year. FSS is one of European Film Promotion's (EFP) successful initiatives boosting the circulation of European film and spotlighting talent outside of Europe. Since its beginning in 2004, FSS has continuously been funded by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union.

The easy-to-access scheme covers up to 50% of costs for the promotional campaigns at the festival. Altogether, 12 feature films and 3 documentaries are benefitting from FSS this year, amongst them Katalin Varga from Romania, The Home of Dark Butterflies from Finland, Little Soldier from Denmark, Another Man from Switzerland, Amalia the Movie from Portugal and The Sea Wall from France, to name just a few. Eight different sales agents and three production companies are in Rio with the help of FSS to present and promote their films.

"As European films have to compete for the attention of international buyers and the press, we are all too aware what a great opportunity FSS presents for sellers. It is little money by comparison but it will make all the difference", says EFP President Éva Vezér. "In particular, producers without a sales agent would find it difficult to attend festivals outside of Europe."

Complete list of supported films and companies

Bavaria Media (Germany)
The Wondrous World of Laundry (Die wundersame Welt der Waschkraft) by Hans-Christian Schmid, Germany 2009

Bergfilm (Germany)
Without You I’m Nothing (Bergfest) by Florian Eichinger, Germany 2008

Cinédoc Distribution (France)
Love, Sex And Mopeds (Amour, sexe et mobylette) by Maria Silvia Bazzoli & Christian Lelong, France, Germany 2009

Films Boutique (France)
To Die Like a Man (Morrer como um homem) by João Pedro Rodrigues, Portugal, France 2009

Films Distribution (Germany)
A l’Aventure by Jean-Claude Brisseau, France 2008
The Sea Wall (Un barrage contre le pacifique) by Rithy Panh, France 2008
The Third Part of the World (La troisième partie du monde) by Eric Forestier, France 2008

Media Luna New Films (Germany)
Tandoori Love by Oliver Paulus, Switzerland, Germany 2008

Memento Films (France)
Katalin Varga by Peter Strickland, Romania, UK, Hungary 2009

TrustNordisk (Denmark)
Little Soldier (Lille Soldat) by Annette K. Olesen, Denmark 2008
The Home of Dark Butterflies (Tommien perhosten koti) by Dome Karukoski, Finland 2008

Ukbar Filmes (Portugal)
How to Draw a Perfect Circle (Como Desenhar um Círculo Perfeito) by Marco Martins, Portugal 2009

Valentim de Carvalho Multimedia (Portugal)
Amalia The Movie (Amalia O Filme) by Carlos Coelho da Silva, Portugal 2008

Wide Management (France)
That Should Not Be (Nos enfants nous accuseront) by Jean-Paul Jaud, France 2008
Another Man (Un autre home) by Lionel Baier, Switzerland 2008

Contact

Susanne Davis,  Project Manager Film Sales Support
e-mail davis@efp-online.com, phone +49 40- 390 6252

FSS is supported by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union, the UK Film Council, German Films, ICA - Instituto do Cinema e do Audiovisual, (Portugal) and the Nordisk Film & TV Fond. In addition, EFP’s promotion and PR activities are backed by the Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC) as well as private sponsors. The Hamburg-based office is financially supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and the Cultural Department of the City of Hamburg.