12/02/2009

The Film and Audiovisual Centre of the French Community of Belgium has announced the results of the Film Selection Committee’s third and final 2008 session.

Among the selected titles are two debut features by young directors who created a sensation with their shorts. Mathieu Donck moves into feature films with Pas de soleil en Alaska (“No Sun In Alaska”), produced by K2 (producer of his short Missing). Meanwhile, François Pirot will also make his feature debut with Mobil-Home, produced by Eklektik Productions.

Other majority productions include Montana, the second film by Stephan Streker, who surprised audiences in 2004 with Michael Blanco, the unusual story of an anonymous Belgian who decides to become a Hollywood star, despite his age, physical appearance and lack of experience. Like Michael Blanco, Montana is produced by MG Productions.

After Strass and Ordinary Man, Vincent Lannoo returns with Les Apprivoisés (“The Tamed Ones”), produced by Left Field Ventures.

Marion Hänsel is a safe bet for success with her latest literary adaptation, Noir Océan (“Black Ocean”). The film is produced by the director’s company, Man's Film.

The Committee also supports minority Belgian Francophone co-productions. Two features have been selected, including the intriguing Robert Mitchum est mort (“Robert Mitchum Is Dead”) by French director Olivier Babinet, who recently won the Special Jury Prize at Clermont Ferrand for his short C’est plutôt genre Johnny Walker. Olivier Gourmet and Robinson Stévenin are set to star, France’s Ferris et Brockman produce and Belgium’s Panache Production are co-producers.

Finally, the selection also includes Geoffrey Enthoven’s 100% Belgian, majority Flemish co-production, Meisjes, which started shooting in January in Ostend. The film – penned by Jean-Claude Van Rijckhegem – centres on three lively 70-year-olds who proudly resurrect the rock band they were part of in their youth. French-speaking company Artemis are co-producing.

The Committee has allocated a total of €2,932,172 in funding, which is divided up into grants for the writing, development and production of shorts, documentaries, television series and features.

(Translated from French)