16/12/2022 - The line-up includes four feature-length debuts, and new films by Gabor Reisz and Goran Dević

First Cut+, a programme launched in 2020 by Tatino Films to boost the promotion and audience-engagement strategies of feature films that previously took part in a First Cut Lab workshop, has announced its selection for the edition set to take place at Trieste's When East Meets West (WEMW).

In addition to the eight projects taking part in WEMW, a second 2023 session will by hosted by Karlovy Vary's Eastern Promises Industry Days in July with another eight films.

First Cut+ has a strong focus on new talents, and some of its alumni won Venice’s Lion of the Future for Best Debut Feature two years in a row: Listen [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ana Rocha de Sousa
film profile] by Ana Rocha de Sousa in 2020 and Immaculate [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Monica Stan, George Chiper-…
film profile] by Monica Stan and George Chiper-Lillemark in 2021. This year, half of the projects are by first-time filmmakers, while the established directors include Gabor Reisz (Bad Poems [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], For Some Inexplicable Reason [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) and Goran Dević (On the Water [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]).

The best project will receive the €5,000 First Cut+ TRT Award from the Turkish public broadcaster.

While First Cut+ is primarily centred on Central and Eastern European films, the programme is opening up to the world with projects from Azerbaijan (one of the focus countries of WEMW) and Brazil (in co-operation with Projeto Paradiso).

Participating projects benefit from lectures and individual mentoring consultations on promotion, marketing, PR and press, festivals, and sales strategy from various film-industry consultants. Returning advisors such as editor Catalin Cristutiu, Michael Arnon (WOLF), Katarzyna Siniarska (New Europe Film Sales), Joanna Solecka (Alphapanda) and Wendy Mitchell will be joined by Ninon Benezet and Alexandre Bourg (Nice Guys Agency) and Christina Pelekani (Endorphin Film Sales).

Previous First Cut+ projects include 107 Mothers [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Peter Kerekes
film profile] by Peter Kerekes, A Piece of Sky [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Michael Koch
film profile] by Michael Koch, The Maiden by Graham Foy and Charcoal by Carolina Markowicz.

Here is the full list of First Cut+ projects:

78 days - Emilija Gašić (Serbia) - first film
Producers: Miloš Ivanović, Andrijana Sofranić Šućur
Production company: Set Sail Films

Power Alley [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Lillah Halla
film profile] - Lillah Halla (Brazil) - first film
Producers: Clarissa Guarilha, Rafaella Costa
Production company: Arissas & Manjericão Filmes

Erto - Alessandro Negrini (Italy/Slovenia)
Producers: Marta Zaccaron, Igor Pedicek
Production companies: Incipit Film, Casablanca Films

Explanation f [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Gábor Reisz
film profile]or Everything [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Gábor Reisz
film profile] - Gabor Reisz (Hungary)
Producer: Julia Berkes
Production company: Proton Cinema

It Was a Beautiful Day - Perica Rai (Slovenia) - first film
Producers: Daniel Hočevar, Zala Opara
Production company: Vertigo

My Magical World - Elvin Adigozel (Azerbaijan)
Producers: Maria Ibrahimova, Emil Najaf
Production companies: Cinex Productions, Ultra Productions

Sea Sparkle [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Domien & Wendy Huyghe
interview: Thibaud Dooms
film profile] - Domien Huyghe (Belgium) - first film
Producer: Dries Phlypo
Production company: A Private View

What’s to Be Done? [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Goran Dević
film profile] - Goran Dević (Croatia)
Producer: Hrvoje Osvadić
Production companies: 15th Art Production, Petnaesta Umjetnost