The tenth edition of the Ikusmira Berriak residency programme for filmmakers and audiovisual project development, organised by the San Sebastián International Film Festival, Tabakalera and the Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola (EQZE), has been running since March and is now presenting its projects to professionals from all around the world who are attending the 72nd edition of the gathering.

The programme, which it’s safe to say is currently enjoying its strongest period in terms of the recognition and the reach of its selected projects (last year, Creatura [+lire aussi :
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interview : Elena Martín Gimeno
fiche film] by Elena Martín, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt by Raven Jackson and The Rye Horn [+lire aussi :
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interview : Jaione Camborda
fiche film] by Jaione Camborda, all of which partook in the workshop, had their premieres at Cannes, Sundance and Toronto, respectively, scooping awards such as the Golden Shell at San Sebastián in the case of the latter; and this year, Sleep With Your Eyes Open [+lire aussi :
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fiche film] by Nele Wohlatz bowed at the Berlinale), is accompanying five European projects (which are detailed below, two of which received the section’s awards yesterday – see the news) and one from the USA (The Bow by Lucy Kerr).

Caro Bastiano (Dear Bastiano) - Maria Elorza Deias (Spain)
Hamburg, 1945: a young German girl and an emaciated foreigner meet in secret. San Sebastián, 2022: a family investigates and speculates about a love letter discovered in their home. Meanwhile, sparrows flit around the city. The second feature by the Basque director, who presented To Books and Women I Sing [+lire aussi :
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interview : Maria Elorza et Marian Fer…
fiche film] in San Sebastián's New Directors section, is being produced by Marian Fernández Pascal and Koldo Almandoz for Garabi Films. The project is at the advanced development stage, with a screenplay in its third version and a shoot planned in Gipuzkoa, Sardinia and Hamburg. The team's goals in San Sebastián are achieving a co-production with Italy, finding a sales agent and making contact with festivals.

Impunidad (Impunity) - Felipe Gálvez Haberle (Chile/Argentina/UK/France/Denmark/Italy)
While the Pinochet trial is taking place in 1998, Pablo, an extreme right-wing Chilean businessman, decides to travel to London and rescue him. With a group of Pinochet supporters, Pablo designs and tests a sophisticated rescue plan including secret meetings, espionage, a helicopter and a submarine. What Pablo doesn't know is that, much closer than he imagines, other forces are working to maintain the status quo. The second feature by the Chilean filmmaker, who presented his first effort, The Settlers [+lire aussi :
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interview : Felipe Gálvez
fiche film], in Cannes' Un Certain Regard, before it was submitted for the Oscars, is being produced by Benjamín Domenech, Santiago Gallelli and Matías Roveda for Argentina's Rei Pictures, Emily Morgan for the UK's Quiddity Films, Slyvie Pialat and Alejandro Arenas for France's Les Films du Worso, Katrin Pors for Denmark's Snowglobe and Stefano Centini for Italy's Volos Films. The project is at the screenplay-writing stage, and is looking for development and production financing, as well as for international partners (with a shoot planned in the UK, Chile and France).

La Pastora (The Shepherdess) - Cande Lázaro (Spain)
Through the trans body of the director, the film salvages the historical character of Florenci Pla, an intersexual Maqui, placing them in conversation with the present day. Their life stories intertwine, enabling Florenci to move through space-time as they wish, experiencing their years with the Maqui guerrilla fighters as well as Lázaro's medical and administrative transition. Charli Bujosa Cortés is producing the first feature by the director for Mansalva Films. The sixth version of its screenplay has been finalised and the cast has been partially confirmed. The team is in the process of finding partners and financing for a 2025 shoot in Castellón, Tarragona or Teruel.

Senda - Mikele Landa Eiguren (Spain)
Bakary (a teenager who recently arrived from Mali), Oihana (a young lawyer) and Agustina, a 78-year-old woman who has spent her whole life in her hamlet, cross paths with each other, decide to become closer and look for a cure for the problem they all have in common: the evil eye. The Spanish director's first feature project is in development, with a first version of the screenplay completed. The team is looking for a production company, which is one of the aims in San Sebastián, alongside contacting international development residencies and programmes.

Wash Over - Marieke Elzerman (Netherlands)
In an isolated cabin in the Spanish Pyrenees, 27-year-old Josephine dedicates her life to reintroducing bearded vultures. After an accident that crushes her leg, she returns to her childhood home on Terschelling to recover, setting off on a journey towards emancipation, connection and female intergenerational self-sacrifice. With production duties taken care of by Noortje Wilschut for Family Affair Films, the first feature by the Dutch filmmaker will have a first draft of the script ready in 2025, while the aim is to shoot in spring 2027. The goals in San Sebastián are meeting potential co-producers and other financial partners, as well as sales agents.