EFP and San Sebastian continue "European Distributors: Up Next!"

Programme for European Distributors to improve circulation of European films

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After a successful launch of “European Distributors: Up Next!” in 2008, European Film Promotion (EFP) and the San Sebastian International Film Festival continue to support emerging European distributors at this year's festival between September 18 – 21. The aim of the programme is to improve the circulation of European films within Europe and to intensify the networking between distributors and sales agents. The majority of European films still do not find their way into the cinemas outside of their home territories.

This year, the focus is set on independent distributors from smaller European countries which are faced with a similar distribution situation. Selected by EFP's associated members and the San Sebastian International Film Festival, eight distributors will be invited to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the market as well as national specialities and further possibilities of theatrical distribution. In addition, “European Distributors: Up Next!” will cooperate with Europa Distribution.

Financial backing comes from the MEDIA Programme of the European Union. As a media partner, the international trade magazine Variety will highlight the contribution of the selected distributors to independent cinema.

Selected “European Distributors: Up Next!” 2009

Country	Name	Company
Belgium	Annemie Degryse	Lumière
Finland	Peter Toiviainen	Sandrew Metronome
FYR of Macedonia	Tatjana Curcinska Pepeljugoska	Manakifilm
Iceland	Isleifur Thorhallsson	Green Light Films
Ireland	Siobhán Farrell	Eclipse Pictures
Norway	Kjetil Omberg	Euforia
Portugal	Gil Santos	Ecofilmes
Serbia	Zoran Stanković	MegaCom Film

The EFP member organizations associated with the initiative are:

Film Center Serbia, Finnish Film Foundation, Flanders Image, ICA Portugal, Icelandic Film Centre, Irish Film Board, Macedonian Film Fund, Norwegian Film Institute

Contact

European Film Promotion Jo Mühlberger (General enquiries) Project Manager phone: +49 40 390 6252 e-mail: muehlberger@efp-online.com	Mareen Gerisch Head of Press phone: +49 40 390 6252 e-mail: gerisch@efp-online.com

San Sebastian International Film Festival Saioa Riba (General enquiries) Head of Sales Office Phone +34 943 48 12 17 e-mail: salesoffice@sansebastianfestival.com	Gemma Beltrán Head of Foreign Press Phone +34 943 48 12 12 e-mail: press@sansebastianfestival.com

EFP is supported by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union and its member organisations. In addition, promotion and PR activities are backed by the Centre National de la Cinématographie et de l'image animée (CNC) as well as by private sponsors. "European Distributors: Up Next!", moreover, is supported by the San Sebastian International Film Festival and Variety. The Hamburg-based office is financially supported by the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and the Department for Culture, Sports and Media of the City of Hamburg.