16/01/2006

The list of the projects selected for the third Berlinale Co-Production Market (12-14 February) has just been announced. It includes 44 projects from 24 countries, nearly 30 of which come from 15 European countries. The UK (4 projects), Spain, the Netherlands and Germany (3 projects each) are particularly present, but smaller countries with an emerging film culture, such as Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Norway, were not neglected. This geographical diversity echoes the variety of the authors invited, since the Market presents new talents such as Stefan Arsenijevic, Alfredo Covelli and Tony Pemberton, as well as new films by established directors, such as Barbara Albert, Alex de la Iglesia, and Vadim Jean.

Budgets range from one to twelve million and 30% must already be secured. To gather the rest of the money, the producers will meet potential co-producers and financial backers at individual prescheduled talks held at the House of Representatives (partner of the event, together with, notably, the MDM - Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung and the MEDIA Programme), a venue which has the advantage of being opposite the European Film Market. The Producers' Lounge will allow more informal exchanges. Also on the programme: lectures and case studies open to all the attending producers and backers.

The Co-Production Market falls into several sections: the official selection (23 projects on 300 entries), the Rotterdam-Berlinale Express section sidebar organised in partnership with the CineMart Rotterdam (3), the World Cinema Market section (1), and the Talent Campus (17 projects on 227 applications). It gives all filmmakers a real chance to carry their project through. Indeed, the past two Markets allowed 21 films to be made, some of which are even screening at the Festival.

(Translated from French)