EFP’s Film Sales Support (FSS) is helping European sales agents to market their films at the 27th edition of Guadalajara’s International Film Festival which takes place 2-10 March this year. Some of the supported films which are part of the festival’s programme, originate from countries with a smaller audiovisual film industry such as Belgium, Romania, Sweden and Greece, with the rest coming from Spain. Amongst those non-Spanish films which need an extra boost in Mexico and Latin America, are, Come as You Are (Hasta la vista) by Geoffrey Enthoven, Crulic – The Path to Beyond by Anca Damian, Happy End by Björn Runge and Unfair World by Filipos Tsitos. Unfair World and Happy End are part of Europa Nuevas Tendencias, a special section of films which have previously screened at the International Film Festival of San Sebastián in 2011.

The financial incentive for sales agents is an integral part of EFP’s promotional activities of European films and talent around the world. EFP which meanwhile unites 32 promotion organisations from 33 European countries, is supported by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union.

Sales agents Films Boutique and m-appeal world sales from Germany, Six Sales and Latido from Spain, TrustNordisk from Denmark and Wide from France are at this year’s receiving end of financial help covering 45% of costs for prints, promotional material, press work and expenses related to the professionals’ presence at the festival. Additional costs to see more buyers in Mexico City directly after the festival will also be reimbursed. The amount in total earmarked for the supported sales agents totals €24,500.

In addition to FSS, EFP is operating a European umbrella booth for the third time in a row at the expanding Mercado de Cine Iberoamericano en Guadalajara. The Film Market, meanwhile in its 10th year, runs alongside the festival from 2-9 March and is located at the huge exhibition center, Expo Guadalajara, in the direct vicinity of the festival centre. The stand will highlight the presence of European films at the Guadalajara festival and offers the supported companies a base for meetings with local buyers. After the first weekend, EFP will be bringing together European and Latin American professionals and talent at a cocktail reception.

The renowned festival screens more than 60 European films in various sections. This year, the country focus lies on the UK including a retrospective of films by Mike Leigh who is the festival’s guest of honor. Briony Hanson from EFP member organisation, the British Council, in charge of the focus, will accompany the famous director to the festival. EFP’s vice president, Claudia Landsberger (EYE Film Institute Netherlands) will also be present in Guadalajara.

Funding for the nine films screening in Guadalajara, were confirmed by EFP’s member organisations, Flanders Image, Romanian Film Promotion, the Greek Film Centre, the Swedish Film Institute and ICAA (Spain).

Guadalajara traditionally brings together various professionals from Europe and Latin America as part of the Cannes March’s Producers Network and the Ibero-American Films Crossing Borders. The festival also hosts the Guadalajara Talent Campus in collaboration with the Berlinale Talent Campus.

FSS supported films and companies

FILMS BOUTIQUE (Germany)
Come As You Are (Hasta la vista) by Geoffrey Enthoven, Belgium 2011
Unfair World (Adikos kosmos) by Filipos Tsitos, Greece 2011

LATIDO (Spain)
Year Of Grace (Any de gracia) by Ventura Pons, Spain 2012

M-APPEAL WORLD SALES (Germany)
The Clay Diaries (El cuaderno de barro) by Isaki Lacuesta, Spain, Switzerland 2011
The Double Steps (Los pasos dobles) by Isaki Lacuesta, Spain, Switzerland 2011

SIX SALES (Spain)
Madrid, 1987 by David Trueba, Spain 2011
Wilaya by Pedro Perèz Rosado, Spain 2011

TRUSTNORDISK (Denmark)
Happy End by Björn Runge, Sweden 2010

WIDE (France)
Crulic – The Path To Beyond (Crulic – drumul spre dincolo) by Anca Damian, Spain 2011