Cineuropa pays homage to Sandy Mandelberger

by Birgit Heidsiek

20/09/2012 - After a nine year battle with cancer, the New York film marketing consultant and writer, Sandy Mandelberger passed away on August 29, at the age of 57.

For more than 25 years Sandy has influenced the independent film scene around the US and internationally with his ambitious involvement and innovative ideas. In the early nineties he became the market director of the Independent Feature Project (IFP) in New York City where filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino, Whit Stilman and Hal Hartley were discovered. As founder and president of his own label International Media Resources, he focused on programming, promotion and marketing of upcoming filmmaking talents at film festivals in North America (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Martha’s Vineyard, Connecticut, Phoenix, IFP NY etc.) and around the globe including Semaine de la Critique Cannes, San Sebastian FF, Festroia Portugal, Tallinn Black Nights, Kerala FF India, American FF Poland and many others.

For ten years (1993-2003), International Media organized The Independents Showcase co-operative marketing initiative, representing independent distributors and filmmakers at film markets in Cannes, Berlin, Milan and Los Angeles, and also co-presented The London Screenings showcase in the UK.

Sandy and IMR also provided editorial content creation and syndication covering the film, entertainment and new media industries for a variety of print and web mediaclients including FEST 21.com, FilmFestivals.com, serving as the North American editor for Cineuropa.org and most recently as editor-in-chief of Film FestivalToday.

This born matchmaker had the rare gift to charm a group of people right on the spot, to create an inspiring atmosphere that would lead to interesting conversations between different characters, branches and nationalities following his motto, “To be creative, we must forget what we know and see the world like a child, innocent, open and full of wonder.” His unique spirit, open mind, his courage and spiritual devotion will remain an inspiration to all who knew him.