27/05/2024 - The lab’s inaugural edition will feature a total of 10 projects from France and Germany in the development or editing stage

Tatino Films has announced its selection for the inaugural edition of Full Circle Lab Nouvelle-Aquitaine Hessen, building upon the success of its three previous editions of Full Circle Lab Nouvelle Aquitaine. These past editions have seen alumni projects progressing from the development stage to the editing stage, with some even selected for Cannes Critics’ Week in both 2022 and 2023, including Summer Scars [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Simon Rieth
film profile] by Simon Rieth and Power Alley [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Lillah Halla
film profile] by Lillah Halla.

This year, in collaboration with the Hessen region in Germany, the line-up is expanding to include 10 feature film projects. Six of these projects are affiliated with the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, while four originate from the Hessen region. Six of these projects will take part in the intensive Development Lab, benefiting from writing support, co-production consultations, and industry guidance. The remaining four projects, which are already in the editing stage, will partake in the First Cut Lab, where they will receive expert feedback from industry professionals under the guidance of an experienced editing tutor. The selection encompasses a diverse array of cinematic works, including eight fiction films and two documentaries. These films represent France and Germany but also a global spectrum of regions, including contributions from Colombia, Hungary, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Spain.

The curatorial team behind Full Circle Lab Nouvelle-Aquitaine Hessen, led by Myriam Sassine under the supervision of Tatino Films’ CEO Matthieu Darras, are elated with this year's selection. The projects selected for development will take part in a comprehensive 7-month programme, which includes two residential workshops and an industry event. The initial workshop is scheduled to be held at La Maison Forte in Monbalen (Lot-et-Garonne, France) between 11 and 15 June. The second workshop will then take place at Schloss Biebrich in Wiesbaden (Hessen, Germany) between 22 and 26 September. The lab will culminate in an industry day in Poitiers, in collaboration with the Poitiers Film Festival and its “Jump In” initiative, on 6 December. During this event, all participants will get the opportunity to pitch their projects to sales agents and distributors.

Among the participants are Behrooz Karamizade, whose debut feature film Empty Nets [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Behrooz Karamizade
film profile] premiered at the Munich Film Festival and in Karlovy Vary in 2023, where it respectively clinched the Young German Cinema Award and the Special Jury Prize. Theo Montoya is also joining the Lab to develop his sophomore feature, following the success of his debut, Anhell69 [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Theo Montoya
film profile], which premiered at Venice’s Critics’ Week and earned the Golden Dove at Dok Leipzig in 2022. Both of Montoya’s films are produced by Bianca Oana, known for her work on projects such as the Golden Bear-winning Touch Me Not [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Adina Pintilie
film profile] by Adina Pintilie and the Oscar-nominated Collective [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Alexander Nanau.

The emerging directors taking part in the Lab include Elisa Puerto Aubel, whose short film The Anteroom premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival in 2022. Jules Follet is embarking on his debut feature film journey, following his short film Antoine, Élise, and Léandre, in Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight this year. Additionally, Culebra Negra by Aurélien Vernhes-Lermusiaux and The Origin of the World by Borbála Nagy are returning to the Full Circle Lab to participate in the First Cut Lab during the editing stage, following their involvement in the Development Lab in 2022.

The majority of producers accompanying the projects in development are burgeoning talents working on their inaugural feature films, including Marie Lesay (rue de la sardine), Emilie Tardif (Améthyste Films), Julian Gerchow (Plotless Film), and Coralie Dias (Interspinas). They will be given the opportunity to engage with seasoned producers such as Jakob Weydemann (Weydemann Bros) for the duration of the Lab. The full list of mentoring experts participating in the programme can be found here.

This is the first year that Full Circle Lab Nouvelle-Aquitaine Hessen have benefited from the financial support of Hessen Film & Medien, who are joining existing supporters such as the Agency Alca Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Lot-et-Garonne Department, and Gironde Tournages. The lab has also forged partnerships with La Maison Forte in Monbalen and the Poitiers Film Festival.

The selected projects for the 1st Full Circle Lab Nouvelle-Aquitaine Hessen are as follows:

Development Lab

Burning Skin - Behrooz Karamizade (Iran/Germany)
Producer: Jakob Weydemann (Weydemann Bros)

Cracks - Elisa Puerto Aubel (Spain/France/Belgium)
Producer: Coralie Dias (Interspinas)

Des oreilles, une bouche - Jules Follet (France)
Producer: Marie Lesay (rue de la sardine)

Les Grandes Marées - Kahina Le Querrec (France)
Producer: Emilie Tardif (Améthyste Films)

Samsa 69 - Theo Montoya (Colombia/Romania)
Producer: Bianca Oana (Monogram Film)

Where We Are Going? - Dasha Petuchow (Kazakhstan/Germany)
Producer: Julian Gerchow (Plotless Film)

First Cut Lab

Culebra Negra - Aurélien Vernhes-Lermusiaux (France/Colombia/Brazil)
Producer: David Hurst (Dublin Films)
Co-producers: Burning, Vulcana Cinema

The Origin of the World - Borbála Nagy (Hungary/Germany/France)
Producers: Petra Iványi (Lupa Pictures), Margarita Amineva-Jester (Voices Films), Julie Paratian (Sister Productions)

Tens Across the Borders - Chan Sze-Wei (Philippines/Singapore/Germany)
Producers: Alemberg Ang, Yasmin C. Rams (Perennial Lens), Si En Tan (Momo Films)

Tree, Earth, Human - Niklas Seehausen (Germany)
Producer: Aria Azizi (YAL Filmproduktion)