Bonds forge as Trans Atlantic Partners wraps at IFP

Trans Atlantic Partners has wrapped its third module, in conjunction with the Independent Filmmaker Project in New York City, with several international partnerships expected to emerge in the coming months.
Producer Antonello Cozzolino of Montreal says hosting an additional third module of the intensive co-production training program in New York was an inspired decision.
“We went through the week with the same goals, helping each other when needed, and we leave New York knowing we have solid potential partners anywhere in the world – that is priceless,” said Cozzolino, of Cirrus Communications (The Bait, C.R.A.Z.Y).
“For me, Module 3 is when everything gelled. Our group of European, American and Canadian producers became one team in New York.”
Twenty-four stellar producers were selected for TAP, a three-module film training program for those seeking co-production and co-venture professional development. It kicked off in June in Berlin before heading to Halifax and then the Big Apple. Participants came from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Belgium, UK, Ireland, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Top industry players from around the world served as resource people for the program, including in New York: Anthony Bregman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Savages); Sarah Lash, Head of Acquisitions, ATO Pictures; Charlotte Mickie, EVP International Sales, E1 Entertainment; Melissa Lee (Circumstance); Kickstarter founder Yancy Strickler; Jonathan King, EVP Production, Participant Media (The Help); and casting director Paul Schnee (The Help, Winter's Bone).
For Minneapolis-based producer Christine Walker (Darling Companion, The Convincer), whose co-production The Turin Horse is Hungary's selection for the Oscar race 2012, TAP has tangible benefits.
“Trans Atlantic Partners offers a remarkable and rare opportunity to work with an incredible consortium of independent producers from all around the world through three TAP modules – all producers whom I've grown to know and trust,” she said. “I plan to partner with some of them very soon on upcoming productions.”
Now in its 3rd year, Trans Atlantic Partners is co-presented by The Erich Pommer Institut (Germany), the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP, New York), and Strategic Partners, the co-production market of the Atlantic Film Festival, Sept. 15-18, 2011 in Halifax. An intensive training and networking program for film producers from Europe, Canada and the US, TAP offers a unique combination of hands-on training and case studies, with effective networking and targeted project partner research. For more information, visit www.coproduction-training.com
TAP participants joined the close to 200 delegates at Strategic Partners in Halifax for three days of visionary keynote presentations, compelling panel discussions, networking and information sessions, and 900-plus pre-arranged 1-2-1 business meetings amongst producers, financiers, broadcasters, distributors and other industry players. This year’s spotlight country delegations were from Australia, South Africa and USA.
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Trans Atlantic Partners is supported by the MEDIA Mundus Programme of the European Union, by Telefilm Canada, and by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg.
Strategic Partners is a production of the Atlantic Film Festival. With Telefilm Canada as its Presenting Partner, it is the one-stop shop for traditional multi-platform producers, broadcasters, sales agents, financiers, distributors and film agencies. The three-day event includes pre-scheduled 1-2-1 meetings; international broadcaster, provincial, state and country sessions; relevant panels and visionary keynote speakers.
A top Canadian festival, the Atlantic Film Festival is held each September in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Strong East Coast roots support a unique format for the festival, with its distinctive focus on film and music. It is large enough to attract the world’s most notable actors, directors and producers, but intimate enough to be innovative and flexible in its approach to the changing needs of our audiences and the industry. The AFF provides an unpretentious atmosphere to experience the best Atlantic, Canadian and international films, while showcasing some of the best musical talent from around Atlantic Canada. The Atlantic Film Festival produces: Strategic Partners, ViewFinders: International Film Festival for Youth, alFresco filmFesto, and Music & Image.
Organizers recognize the support of Telefilm Canada, the Canada/Atlantic Provinces International Business Development Agreement (IBDA), Shaw Media, Film Nova Scotia, and the Canadian Media Fund.
Strategic Partners is the exclusive Canadian institutional partner of Australia/New Zealand’s MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival) 37ºSouth Market.