Berlin-based international sales agent Pluto Film is presenting a diverse slate at the 76th Berlinale (12-22 February) and the European Film Market (EFM, 12-18 February), combining a focus on films for children and young audiences with auteur cinema and socially urgent narratives.

The slate is led by Atlas of the Universe, directed by Romanian filmmaker Paul Negoescu (The Story of a Summer Lover [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film], Men of Deeds [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Paul Negoescu
scheda film]), which will celebrate its world premiere in the Generation Kplus section. A tender coming-of-age road movie, the film follows ten-year-old Filip, who sets off alone across the countryside after mistakenly buying two right-foot shoes. What begins as a small mishap turns into a quietly transformative journey of courage, friendship and self-discovery (see the news).

At the EFM, Pluto Film is also introducing the family detective adventure Extraordinary [+leggi anche:
trailer
scheda film], directed by Marina Andree Škop (My Grandpa Is an Alien [+leggi anche:
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trailer
intervista: Marina Andree Škop e Draže…
scheda film]) and Vanda Raýmanová, which will world-premiere at BUFF International Film Festival in March. The film centres on ten-year-old Alice, who embarks on a search for her missing parents with the help of a group of young detectives and her autistic brother, Milan. His unique perception of the world soon becomes the key to solving the mystery. The company is unveiling the film’s exclusive trailer on Cineuropa (see below).

Another recent title on the slate that addresses young perspectives with unflinching honesty is The Pupil [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Karin Junger
scheda film], directed by Karin Junger (10 Songs for Charity). The drama follows 12-year-old Daan, whose admiration for his football coach slowly turns into a dangerous situation involving manipulation and abuse. From Germany comes Funeral Casino Blues [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Roderick Warich
scheda film], directed by Roderick Warich, a hypnotic and melancholic melodrama set in Bangkok’s nocturnal underworld, which had its premiere in Venice’s Orizzonti section.

Staying with socially charged narratives, the sales agent continues the international rollout of Hysteria [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Devrim Lingnau
intervista: Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay
scheda film] by Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay, which premiered in the Panorama section of the Berlinale and went on to win the Europa Cinemas Label for Best European Film last year. The slate also includes Bidad, the latest feature by Iranian director Soheil Beiraghi, a defiant portrait of a young woman who turns the streets of Tehran into her stage after being forbidden to sing in public. The film has screened widely on the festival circuit, including at Karlovy Vary, where it won the Special Jury Prize, as well as at Vancouver and Istanbul. Pluto Film is further presenting Night Passengers [+leggi anche:
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scheda film] by Portuguese director Pedro Cabeleira, a raw urban drama that premiered in Cannes’ ACID.

Among the upcoming releases is The Healing, a documentary tracing German scientist Ingmar Hoerr’s accidental discovery of mRNA vaccine technology, which would later save millions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed and produced by Marcus Richardt and Lillian Rosa, the film is set to premiere in the summer.

Alongside its EFM slate, Pluto Film is also unveiling Pluto Film Consultancy, a new initiative built around the company’s distinctive audience design approach. Through tailored workshops and one-on-one sessions, the consultancy supports filmmakers and producers in shaping a cohesive vision for their projects while navigating the increasingly complex landscape of film distribution.

Each consultancy begins with Story Exploration, delving into a project’s narrative, themes and artistic identity, followed by Audience Exploration, identifying and understanding target audiences and their viewing habits. The process culminates in Strategy Exploration, developing a comprehensive distribution plan spanning festival positioning, market strategy and audience outreach, always aiming to preserve the artistic soul of the movie while maximising its international potential.

The workshops will be conducted by Benjamin Cölle (Audience Design and Project Packaging), Daniela Cölle (Audience Design and Script Consultancy) and Rebecca Hartung (Festival Strategies).

Check out our exclusive trailer for Extraordinary below: