Working Paper Evaluation Producers on the Move

Producers on the Move 2000 – 2009

EFP takes a look back at the producers who have taken part in this initiative in Cannes over the past years. We asked them what came out of their participation, and how they have fared since.

YEAR 2009

Adrian Sturges, Picture Farm, UK
Benefit: "It was great to be part of it and very useful to hear all the other producers plans and how they intend to put their films together. It really felt like a coummunity of people who will stay in touch and it was great that so many of the previous participants came to the big lunch in Cannes."

Koldo Zuazua, Alicia Produce, Spain
Benefit: "I started and closed various distribution deals for the film ME TOO, which I presented in Cannes at the PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE meetings. I had several meetings with Spanish distributors and many International sales agents. In Cannes, I closed the deal for Spanish theatrical distribution, and I also started negotiating with a German company for world sales. I closed the deal in August, but our inicial meeting in Cannes was crucial for the last negotiation closing this deal."

YEAR 2008

Macdara Kelleher, Fastnet Films, Ireland
- co-production of the feature film NOTHING PERSONAL with Reinier Selen (Rinkel Film & TV Productions, The Netherlands, 2008) in 2008.

- co-production of the feature film THE RUNWAY with Bernard Michaux (Lucil Film, Luxemburg, 2008) in 2009.

- in post-production of a co-production CIRCUS FANTASTICUS with Jožko Rutar (Staragara, Slovenia 2006)

Reinier Selen, Rinkel Film & TV Productions, The Netherlands
- co-production of the feature film NOTHING PERSONAL with Macdara Kelleher (Fastnet Films, Ireland, 2008) and Ferenc Pusztai (KMH Film, Hungary) in 2008.

Bernard Michaux, Lucil Film, Luxemburg
- co-production of the feature film THE RUNWAY with Macdara Kelleher (Fastnet Films, Ireland, 2008) in 2009.

Ferenc Pusztai, KMH Film, Hungary
- co-production of the feature film ADRIENN PÁL with Els Vandevorst (Isabella Films, The Netherlands, 2000).

YEAR 2007

Gregory Athanasiou, Minus Pictures, Greece
Benefit: “During Cannes 2007 and PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE 2007 I signed a beautiful deal with Zentropa and Trust Film Sales for all my movies! And of course my participation in the project was a great support for that! PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE strengthen the profile of my productions, me and my company, Minus Pictures, (the whole presentation in Internet, Variety, etc) and it surely helped a lot. I am really glad being part of the PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE 2007.”

Meike Kordes, Kordes&Kordes, Germany
co-production of POLL by Chris Kraus with Riina Sildos (Eesti Joonisfilm / Amrion, Estonia, 2007).

Piotr Mularuk, Yeti Films, Poland
.. has established co-production relationships aimed to create a series of documentaries with Luis Ángel Ramírez-Pérez (IMVAL Producciones, Spain, 2007) and Martin Vandas (MAUR Film, Czech Republic, 2007)

Luis Ángel Ramírez-Pérez, IMVAL Producciones, Spain
.. has established co-production relationships aimed to create a series of documentaries with Piotr Mularuk (Yeti Films, Poland, 2007) and Martin Vandas (MAUR Film, Czech Republic, 2007)

Benefit: “The network created through PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE has worked perfectly both at personal and professional levels. (…) We had made interesting contacts; Match Factory, Celluloid Dreams, various people from MEDIA... We are doing business with them and keep contact, all these contacts and meetings proved to be pretty useful, as all these contacts were made with the purpose of co-working with them.”

Riina Sildos, Eesti Joonisfilm / Amrion, Estonia
- co-production of POLL by Chris Kraus with Meike Kordes (Kordes&Kordes, Germany, 2007)

Elena Tatti, Box Productions, Switzerland
- co-production of the short film ORLOJ with Karla Stojáková (Axman Production, Czech Republic, 2006) in 2007.

Martin Vandas, MAUR Film, Czech Republic
.. has established co-production relationships aimed to create a series of documentaries with Piotr Mularuk (Yeti Films, Poland, 2007) and Luis Ángel Ramírez-Pérez (IMVAL Producciones, Spain, 2007)

Benefit: “It is my first experience with the Cannes, with the biggest market and mainly the chance to meet producers with the same point of view on the film”

Eric Vogel, Tordenfilm, Norway
Benefit:  “In addition to getting to know the other PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE, the event was also a gateway into the ACE workshops/network, of which I am now a member. From there, I've met a lot of other people, so it all builds on top of each other.”

YEAR 2006

Ivan Angelusz, Katapult Film, Hungary
.. works on the project ANARCHY IN ZIRMUNAI with Ieva Norviliene (Tremora, Lithuania, 2006), which got Media support 2007 and also got the MEDIA NEW TALENT Award. Now they are in post-production.

Ken Marshall, Steel Mill Pictures, UK, 2006
Benefit: “Overall the event was fantastic and provided many great opportunities for networking and meeting new like-minded producers. Amongst several great people I met, one contact in particular that helped with product placement on my last film was Joerg Schweizer at BMW Group”.

Christian Fredrik Martin, Friland AS, Norway
Benefit: “I met the Cinemart, Marit van den Elshout and Jacobine van der Vloed first time in Cannes during the PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE. I have been main producer for one of their selected project in 2008, UPPERDOG and co-producer for another in 2007, THE SPRING RITUAL.”

Ieva Norviliene, Tremora, Lithuania
.. works on the project ANARCHY IN ZIRMUNAI with Ivan Angelusz (Katapult Film, Hungary, 2006), which got Media support 2007 and also got the MEDIA NEW TALENT Award. Now they are in post-production.

Leontine Petit, Lemming Film, The Netherlands
Benefit: “We are doing a lot of co-productions with Germany, Belgium, UK and Scandinavia. It was very good to enlarge my scoop of possible co-producers. I also benefit from it on a company branding level. A lot of people inside Holland and outside Holland still know that we were a PRODUCER ON THE MOVE in that year and they consider it as a plus. A sort of acknowledgement that you are an interesting company.”

Jožko Rutar, Staragara, Slovenia
.. in post-production of a co-production CIRCUS FANTASTICUS with Macdara Kelleher (Fastnet Films, Ireland, 2008)

Karla Stojáková, Axman Production, Czech Republic
- co-production of the short film ORLOJ with Elena Tatti (Box Productions, Switzerland 2007) in 2007.

Benefit: “Well after being in Cannes PRODUCER ON THE MOVE I feel much more comfortable at this huge No 1 festival. I am producer at the beginning of my journey so it was really important moment to be selected in 2006 and I can say we meet with the other participants around the world, so I am sure we will do some European co-production sooner or later together as it seems are all very active producers.“

Alexandre Valente, Utopia Filmes, Portugal
Benefit: “This year we want to establish co-productions in an international level for projects in development, with countries such as: Italy, Poland, Hungary, Norway, Germany, Russia, America, Spain and Brazil.”

YEAR 2005

Yann Gilbert, La Mouche du Coche Films, France
Benefit: "Contact is very important in co-production business...."

Nicola Giuliano, Indigo Film, Italy
Benefit: "Contacts and greater knowledge of how production occurs in other European countries."

Nathalie Lichtenthaeler, Wide Eye Films, Ireland
- co-production THE FRONT LINE (by David Gleeson, 2005) with Lena Rehnberg (Stellanovafilm, Sweden, 2005), whom she met through the project in 2005. They plan to co-produce again, but nothing concrete at the moment.

Benefit: “It was very beneficial in terms of networking and making new contact. It would be great if there would be annual meetings with all the producers so you can refresh the contact you made and meet new people. “

Lena Rehnberg, Stellanovafilm, Sweden
- co-production THE FRONT LINE (by David Gleeson, 2005) with Nathalie Lichtenthaeler (Wide Eye Films, Ireland, 2005) whom she met through the project in 2005. They plan to co-produce again, but nothing concrete at the moment.

Ida Weiss, Bela Film, Slovenia
Benefit: "Through the participation in the project 2005, we have found a sponsor of our film INSTALLATION OF LOVE (2006) and we are very happy about it! In 2005, I've attended Cannes for the first time and met some colleagues and maybe future partners that I keep in contact with. Also, being a PRODUCER ON THE MOVE give a certain credit I can always "use" as a benefit in establishing professional contacts, as it gives certain trust to those who are not that much yet familiar with my work."

Fernando Vendrell, David & Golias, Portugal
Benefit: "I think the fact that I was in this event gave an additional recognition to my film work" (…) ”It was a good moment and somehow I felt my production work got appreciated internationally and nationally. Unfortunately in Portugal my work as a producer is very hard.”

YEAR 2004

Jeroen Beker, Motel Films, The Netherlands
Benefit: He was asked to do a workshop in Cologne together with PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE from Sweden, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland.

Pandora da Cunha Telles, Filmes Fundo / Animatógrafo 2, Portugal#
- co-production of AMERICA with Pedro Uriol (Morena Films, Spain, 2004), in preparation 2008

- co-production SCHOOLS’ OUT (FIN DE CURSO) by Miguel Marti with Pedro Uriol (Morena Films, Spain, 2004), 2005 (Teenage comedy written by Juan Carlos Rubio, starring Jordi Vilches).

Benefit: "Each time I have some problems finding a crew member, I send an SOS to the PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE Network and I confess it has been a help. Being a part of this project is also a kind of quality mark that abroad helps as to communicate on an easier base."

Charlotta Denward, Filmlance International AB, Sweden
Benefit: “Together with Lukas Hobi, Pedro Uriol, Jeroen Beker and Viviane Vanfleteren I was invited to the IFS in Cologne to meet with the students and talk about international co-producing. That was very interesting.”

Thomas Gammeltoft, Fine & Mellow Productions, Denmark
Benefit: “To me, it is very important to have met like-minded producers from other territories for possible co-operation in the future. I may be in contact with them today or tomorrow, but it will certainly be some time in the future.”

Jarkko Hentula, Juonifilmi Oy, Finland
Benefit: “Besides Ralph Schwingel, with whom I also hope to work in the future (who did an "instant remake" of FC VENUS following their meeting in Cannes 2004), I have had sporadic contact with colleagues from Scandinavia, Charlotta Denward from Sweden, Gudny Hummelvoll from Norway and Anu Veermäe from Estonia."

Lukas Hobi, Zodiac Pictures International, Switzerland
- co-production of BON APPÉTIT with Pedro Uriol (Morena Films, Spain, 2004) which received Eurimages support

Agnes Johansen, Blueeyes Production, Iceland
Benefit: “However, it's valuable to have all the contacts of the people from the program because even though nothing has directly come out of it yet, it could well happen in the future."

Ralph Schwingel, Wüste Filmproduktion, Germany
- Remake of Jarkko Hentula’s project FC VENUS (Talent House, Finland, 2004) because of meeting in Cannes

Benefit: “Basically yes, especially by having this project FC VENUS."

Pedro Uriol, Morena Films, Spain
- co-production of AMERICA with Pandora da Cunha Telles (Filmes Fundo, Portugal, 2004), in preparation 2008

- co-production of BON APPÉTIT with Lukas Hobi (Zodiac Pictures International, Switzerland, 2004) which received Eurimages support

- co-production SCHOOLS’ OUT (FIN DE CURSO) by Miguel Marti with Pandora da Cunha Telles (Animatografo 2, Portugal, 2004), 2005 (Teenage comedy written by Juan Carlos Rubio, starring Jordi Vilches).

Benefit: “Chance to meet very interesting co-producers. I shot SCHOOLS’ OUT in Lisbon because I met Pandora... Developing of BON APPÉTIT because I met Lukas in Cannes.”

Viviane Vanfleteren, Vivi Film, Belgium
Benefit: “... they (other PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE) are all very interesting and on the same level. I think that the real benefit is lying in a long term perspective. I know that I can always get information on their territory from them and that's already very helpful."

YEAR 2003

Jakob Claussen, Claussen & Woebke Filmproduktion, Germany
Benefit: “Since being chosen as a PRODUCER ON THE MOVE we got sent a lot of co-production offers. Being a PRODUCER ON THE MOVE is a great communication platform to let people know about your company concept. It made me more interested and aware what fellow producers in other European countries are doing. We have not yet co-produced with other European producers, but when time comes, the other PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE will be the first I will get in contact with.“

Peter Hiltunen, Illusion Film & Television AB, Sweden
Benefit: “The possibility for networking and co-production”

Gabriele Kranzelbinder, KGP - Kranzelbinder Gabriele Production GmbH, Austria
Benefit: "Cannes was a great pleasure and allowed an insight into other European countries' production work."

David McLoughlin, Distinguished Features, Ireland
Benefit: “Higher profile amongst Irish producers and production companies.”

Antonio Saura, Zebra Producciones S.A., Spain
Benefit: "It was great to establish a network. For me it was a great opportunity being there and granted me international exposure."

Maria João Sigalho, Rosa Filmes, Portugal
Benefit: “Other producers get in touch with me because they have learned about Rosa Filmes and our work on your webpage.”

YEAR 2002

Andreas Bajohra, Phantom Pictures, UK
- production of DARK PLACES, a ghost story developed by Phantom Pictures, written by Peter Waddington, produced by Eddy Gérardon-Luyckx (Tarantula, Luxembourg, 2002), directed by Donato Rotunno (Tarantula, Luxembourg, 2001)

Benefit: “Finding out how European producers from various countries run their business, awareness of subsidies”

Paul Donovan, Grand Pictures, Ireland
Benefit: “Industry people do register who the PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE are”

Eddy Géradon-Luyckx, Tarantula, Luxembourg
- co-production DARK PLACES by Donato Rotunno (Tarantula, Luxembourg, 2001) with Andreas Bajohra (Phantom Pictures, UK, 2002)

Benefit: “An indirect benefit is the link with the national authority who chose me as their representative”

Francisco Villa-Lobos, Contracosta Produções, Portugal
- co-production of THE FORSAKEN LAND by Vimukthi Jayasundara through his Paris-based company; presented in Un Certain Regard; Caméra D'Or, Cannes 2005

Benefit: “visibility throughout”

YEAR 2001

Diana Elbaum, Entre Chien et Loup, Belgium
Benefit: "The project is very complete, the greatest advantage is discussing new ideas that lead to exciting new co-productions."

Júlíus Kemp, The Icelandic Film Company, Iceland
Benefit: “I sometimes get offers for projects where I’ve been contacted through the EFP website”

Tristan Orpen Lynch, Subotica Entertainment Ltd, Ireland
Benefit: “Heightened industry awareness of me, the company and our projects generally”

Isona Passola, Massa D'Or Production, Spain
Benefit: “I think that PRODUCERS ON THE MOVE is good for establishing a network. For the time being, we are working with our old French partners on our co-productions (perhaps because our culture is close to the French). But we will use the network in the near future.”

Donato Rotunno, Tarantula, Luxembourg
- production of DARK PLACES as director in 2006, co-produced by Eddy Géradon-Luyckx (Tarantula, Luxembourg, 2002) with Andreas Bajohra (Phantom Pictures, UK, 2002)

YEAR 2000

Els Vandevorst, Isabella Films, The Netherlands
- co-production of the feature film ADRIENN PÁL with Ferenc Pusztai (KMH Film, Hungary, 2008).

Tiziana Soudani, AMKA Films Productions SA, Switzerland
Benefit: “...especially for the contacts which are always useful for future projects..”

Leslee Udwin, Assassin Films, United Kingdom
Benefit: "There is no question but that the project is of great benefit to cross-fertilisation of efforts by European producers, on European films (which almost always rely, nowadays, on co-production structures to enable financing)."