05/06/2008

After the first gathering in Paris in January 2006, the second Franco-Spanish Film Meetings will be held from June 6-7 in Madrid. Opened by Fernando Lara (director general of the ICAA) and Margaret Menegoz (president of Unifrance), the event will bring together over 170 participants from both countries.

Representatives from the French film industry include Eric Altmayer (Mandarin), Caroline Adrian (Delante), Alain Benguigui (Sombrero) and Laurent Lavolé (Gloria Films).

The programme includes several symposia: an inventory of the Spanish and French markets, a review of the new Spanish film law, an in-depth analysis of tax advantages and financing from banks (with examples of co-productions), and a discussion about distribution in theatres and on television networks.

Finally, a pitching session will enable French and Spanish producers who are looking for partners to present their projects to all the participants. For example, Bertrand Gore will present Le Baiser d’Aziz (“Aziz’s Kiss”, Sunday Morning Productions) and François Cognard will accompany Le prince Solovki (“Prince Solovki”, Tobina Film).

After Munich, London, Rome and Versailles, Unifrance will also organise in Madrid a meeting for young French and Spanish actors headed by José Garcia and Carmen Maura. Spanish actors taking part include Ernesto Alterio, Alex Brendemühl, Aina Clotet, Leticia Dolera, Marta Etura, Barbara Goenaga, Quim Gutiérrez, Digo Martin and Natalia Vezrbeke. French actors in attendance include Hafsia Herzi, Andy Gillet, Johan Libéreau, Vincent Martinez, Sabrina Ouazani, Sophie Quinton, Clément Sibony and Shooting Star Nicolas Cazalé (see interview).

In 2007, Spain came in second place among those European countries most keen on French features, with 4m admissions for 51 films distributed by DeAPlaneta, Golem Distribución, Vertigo Films, Notro Films, Alta Films and Karma Films.

However, after an excellent 2006 with 3.23m admissions (the Almodovar effect), Spanish films drew only 390,000 viewers in France in 2007 (0.2% of the market share). Nevertheless, the first half of 2008 has seen a clear upturn, thanks mainly to REC [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jaume Balagueró, Paco Plaza
interview: Julio Fernández
film profile], which has already attracted 515,000 viewers so far and The Oxford Murders [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Álex de la Iglesia
interview: Gerardo Herrero and Mariela…
film profile] (distribution La Fabrique de Films) which garnered almost 300,000 admissions.

As for co-productions between the two countries, they remain relatively modest in number (six in 2007). The Franco-Spanish meetings aim to encourage collaborations, by citing as an example the forthcoming film by the Larrieu brothers, Les derniers jours du monde (“The Last Days of the World”), which is set to be co-produced by Spain.