EFA sent its 2500 members the following message announcing the death of the French Producer Humbert Balsan who was found dead in his offices in Paris."The Board of the European Film Academy had the sad duty of informing you that our Chairman Humbert Balsan has died in Paris yesterday, on February 10. We are all in shock about the suddenness of this loss and will miss a great colleague and friend. The Berlin International Film Festival and the European Film Academy will present a special screenin...

Following recent vote to designate the new European Film Academy Board the 1600 members have elected Humbert Balsan to replace Nick Powell as EFA chairman. French producer will bring 'Gallic flavour' to Academy's operations, quotes Powell. Beeing french myself I wondered what this could mean besides changing wine and champagne sponsors.I finally decided to translate this as a recognition to creativty in the organistion process: a touch of stunning - chic improvisation, associated to attention t...