First Cut Lab, the workshop for feature-length fiction films in the editing phase, run by Tatino Films, has successfully wrapped its first edition at its new hub, the 54^th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (see the news). During KVIFF’s Eastern Promises Industry Days, it was announced that a new programme was being launched by the team, called First Cut+, which will promote a portfolio of 16 fiction features in post-production from low-production-capacity countries, with a particular focus on Central and Eastern Europe. It should be noted that First Cut+ is supported by the Access to Markets scheme of Creative Europe’s MEDIA programme, and it is the only new initiative to have received such support from the scheme.

The aim of First Cut+ is to further assist the films to reach an audience, as First Cut Lab director Matthieu Darras mentioned. The focus of the programme won’t be solely on the 30 films that previously participated in the First Cut Lab, but also on alumni projects from MIDPOINT’s Feature Launch and Groupe Ouest’s Less Is More (LIM), which will receive marketing and promotion consultancy and heightened visibility at both KVIFF Eastern Promises and at the When East Meets West co-production platforms.

In detail, the selected films in the portfolio will participate in activities that should help them to increase their competitiveness and marketability. These will include individual consultations with industry experts and marketing promotion focused on audience design and social media. The activities will wrap up with a presentation of the works in progress, and meetings with industry representatives and First Cut+ experts. Some of the confirmed experts are publicists Laurin Dietrich and Michael Arnon, of WOLF; Alexis Hoffman, of BAC Films; and festival strategist Ilaria Gomarasca, of Pyramide International.

During the next edition of When East Meets West, in January 2020, half of the films (eight) will be promoted in Trieste, while the rest of them will be present at the next edition of Karlovy Vary in July 2020, and First Cut+ will run in parallel with the First Cut Lab workshops. This combination of programmes should give a more well-rounded and comprehensive overview of the up-and-coming new talents from the CEE region.