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IFFR 2019 IFFR Pro

REPORT: CineMart 2019

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- We profile the winning projects of the 36th edition of IFFR Pro’s CineMart

REPORT: CineMart 2019
A promo image for Stillborn by Olga Chajdas, the winner of the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award

The 36th edition of CineMart ran from 27-30 January, during the IFFR Pro Days. The co-production market invited along 16 projects (see the news), hailing from all over the world, for an intensive programme that included multiple meetings, specialised events and a special pitching session, the CineMart Spotlight. Furthermore, eight projects were part of the BoostNL programme, while four VR projects were presented at the IFFR Pro x VR Days conference (see the news). Here, Cineuropa profiles CineMart’s winning projects; you can find the complete list of CineMart winners here.

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Eurimages Co-Production Development Award

Stillborn – Olga Chajdas (Poland)
Returning to IFFR one year after the premiere of her debut feature, Nina [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
, Polish filmmaker Olga Chajdas’ sophomore feature-length project is a “post-punk psychological drama about motherhood”. Set in the midst of major socio-political changes in Poland’s history, between 1987 and 1989, Stillborn follows 21-year-old Ela, who is also going through her own personal transition. Her portrait is divided into different chapters that represent her journey and her battles with her inner identities. Scripted by Chajdas and Lena Góra, the film is due to be shot in 16mm on location in Gdynia in the autumn. It is being produced by Izabela Wójcik, of Apple Film Production, and has received support from the Polish Film Institute. The project will also be presented at the Berlinale Co-Production Market as part of the Rotterdam-Berlinale Express.

Wouter Barendrecht Award

Daughter of Rage [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Laura Baumeister
film profile
]
 - Laura Baumeister (Nicaragua/France)
In her debut feature, Nicaraguan writer-director Laura Baumeister explores the relationship between a mother and a daughter, in a hostile and almost dystopian rubbish dump in the country’s capital, Managua. Lilibeth, in her mid-twenties, lives in this smoggy and oppressive environment with her seven-year-old daughter, María, a herd of dogs and a batch of newborn puppies up for sale. She makes a living by selling the best pieces of rubbish to the recycling factory, but when María accidentally poisons the puppies, her mother decides to abandon her as a punishment. Based on Baumeister’s screenplay, the film is currently in development and is being co-produced by Rossana Baumeister (Tanacatana Films) and Eva Chillon (Pomme Hurlante Films). It is being supported by the Hubert Bals Fund and the Ibermedia Development Fund.

ARTE International Prize

The Fever - Mateo Bendesky (Argentina)
Just a few days before the world premiere of his sophomore feature, Family Members, in the Berlinale’s Panorama section, Argentinian director Mateo Bendesky presented his third feature at CineMart. After her mother discovers a series of “strange” chats, teenager Ornella undergoes a forced exorcism. After the ritual, Ornella shows some strange symptoms of an untraceable illness. As her family loses hope and their faith, a question is raised: could the Devil be the cure for her illness? Now working on the third version of his script, Bendesky aims to shoot by July 2020. The Fever is being produced by Agustina Costa Varsi (Volpe Films) and supported by the INCAA.

Filmmore Post-Production Award

A House in Jerusalem - Muayad Alayan (Palestine/Qatar)
The winner of the Special Jury Prize in the Hivos Tiger Competition and the Hubert Bals Fund Audience Award at last year’s IFFR with his sophomore feature, The Reports on Sarah and Saleem [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
, Palestinian director Muayad Alayan is finalising the new draft of his third feature. Mixing horror with family-drama elements, the story follows ten-year-old Rebecca. After the death of her mother, her father forces her to move from New York to Jerusalem in order to cope with the tragic loss. While struggling to cope with the trauma, Rebecca will befriend the ghost of a Palestinian girl. Co-penned and co-produced by the director and his brother Rami Alayan for PalCine Productions, the film has already secured the support of Film Lab Palestine and the Doha Film Institute.

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