Surging EFM boosts Berlin festival entries
Kosslick hit with 4,450 submissions
 |
| Kosslick |
Pics to compete for Berlin Today Award
4/3/08 10:47am
CP sells 10 Russian films
Berlin produces sales to 13 territories
3/3/08 7:48am
Lelouch's 'Gare' adds to destinations
Pic heads to Mexico, India, China
2/29/08 7:08am
Constantin picks up trio at Berlin
Film unit nabs German rights to three movies
2/25/08 1:15pm
'Lake Tahoe' sells to 10 territories
Eimbcke a talent to watch
2/25/08 8:09am
All News >>
Adding there was no clear trend for the 2007 festival, Kosslick said the large number of submissions means the first announcements about competition entries will not be made until early January.
A year ago at this time, about two months before the fest's start, he said, about 3,800 submissions had been received.
While most entries are for the various sidebars, there have been more than 1,100 submissions for the 20-odd competition slots -- an increase of nearly 200 contenders from a year ago.
In 2006, 360 films from more than 50 countries unspooled at the Berlinale.
"It seems quite clear that one now goes to Berlin to present their films," Kosslick said in an interview with German news agency DDP published Tuesday, referring to the growing clout of the EFM that runs alongside the festival.
The EFM has gained in stature since the American Film Market changed its dates, making Berlin the biggest and most important market of the new year.
Separately, the first official selections for the German film sidebar Perspektive Deutsches Kino were announced.
They include Bastian Guenther's debut film "Autopiloten"; Ben von Grafenstein's "Blindflug"; Pepe Planitzer's "Alle Alle"; and Julia von Heinz's "Was am Ende."
Also set are two half-hour films, "Aschermittwoch" by Ileana Cosmovici and Hannah Schweier's "Aufrecht stehen."
Perspektive director Alfred Holighaus said, "What is noteworthy this year is the artistic maturity, the dramaturgical resolve, the psychological instinct and frequent flashes of poetic elegance" of these young filmmakers.
The complete program of Perspektive Deutsches Kino will be announced in mid-January.
When Abu Dhabi officials decided to launch their Middle East Intl. Film Festival last year, the focus was all about the finance.
Asian film financing is in a fog. For all its recent marching around, it is difficult to tell whether it is moving forwards, backwards or simply around in circles.
Although it's celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Ghent Intl. Film Festival wasn't always known as a unique and exotic showcase for film composers.
Street-gang sensibilities and misspent youth offer solid drama and a realistic portrayal of urban gangsterism in Kazakh crimer "Racketeer."
Together with My Father
Retribution
Days in Between
