LONDON -- The Rotterdam Film Festival will launch a raft of new industry services at its next edition in January, and has appointed former Fortissimo exec Marnix van Wijk to oversee the new initiatives.
"Our ultimate aim is for the films in the festival to be internationally distributed. Rotterdam has always been a launchpad for young talent and new discoveries -- we want to take this to another level," fest director Sandra den Hamer said Friday.
The new services include the creation of a sales club featuring a dedicated lounge and a new system of accreditation to better serve the needs of buyers and sellers of independent arthouse cinema.
Rotterdam's Film Office, which previously only facilitated meetings between filmmakers and buyers during the fest, will continue to act as a mediator throughout the year. There also will be more regular issues of the industry newsletter Tiger Topics.
Van Wijk, who has been in place since the beginning of August, previously was in charge of marketing and publicity at Fortissimo. During his nine-year stint there, he was a regular face on the fest and mart circuit.
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