"European Distributors: Up Next!" to improve circulation of European films

EFP and the San Sebastian International Film Festival
continue programme for European Distributors

09/07/2009
After a successful launch of “European Distributors: Up Next!” in 2008, European Film Promotion (EFP) and the San Sebastian International Film Festival continue to support emerging European distributors at this year´s festival between September 18 – 21. The aim of the programme is to improve the circulation of European films within Europe and to intensify the networking between distributors and sales agents. The majority of European films still do not find their way into the cinemas outside of their home territories.

This year, the focus is set on independent distributors from smaller European countries which are faced with a similar distribution situation. Selected by EFP's associated members and the San Sebastian International Film Festival, eight distributors will be invited to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the market as well as national specialities and further possibilities of theatrical distribution. In addition, “European Distributors: Up Next!” will cooperate with Europa Distribution.

Financial backing comes from the MEDIA Programme of the European Union. As a media partner, the international trade magazine Variety will highlight the contribution of the selected distributors to independent cinema.

Selected “European Distributors: Up Next!” 2009

 
Country    Name    Company
Belgium    Annemie Degryse    Lumière
Finland    Peter Toiviainen    Sandrew Metronome
FYR of Macedonia    Tatjana Curcinska Pepeljugoska    Manakifilm
Iceland    Isleifur Thorhallsson    Green Light Films
Ireland    Siobhán Farrell    Eclipse Pictures
Norway    Kjetil Omberg    Euforia
Portugal    Gil Santos    Ecofilmes
Serbia    Zoran Stanković    MegaCom Film
The EFP member organizations associated with the initiative are:

Film Center Serbia, Finnish Film Foundation, Flanders Image, ICA Portugal, Icelandic Film Centre, Irish Film Board, Macedonian Film Fund, Norwegian Film Institute.

Contact

European Film Promotion

Jo Mühlberger (General enquiries)
Project Manager
phone +49 40 390 6252
Email: muehlberger@efp-online.com

Mareen Gerisch
Press Relations Manager
phone +49 40 390 6252
Email: gerisch@efp-online.com
San Sebastian International Film Festival

Saioa Riba (General enquiries)
Head of Sales Office
Phone +34 943 48 12 17
Email: salesoffice@sansebastianfestival.com

Gemma Beltrán
Head of Foreign Press
Phone +34 943 48 12 12
Email: press@sansebastianfestival.com
EFP is supported by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union and its member organisations. In addition, promotion and PR activities are backed by the Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC). ”European Distributors: Up Next!”, moreover, is supported by the San Sebastian International Film Festival and Variety. The Hamburg-based office is financially supported by the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and the Department for Culture, Sports and Media of the City of Hamburg.