ROME -- The Rome Film Festival's Business Street mart wrapped Sunday, capping four days of intense activity, especially its New Cinema Network specifically dedicated to co-producing projects by sophomore helmers.
Organizers boasted attendance up 16%, with 280 buyers, 90 sellers and an unprecedented 51 countries represented. Besides plenty of customary Italian and European companies, ample contingents of execs from Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Eastern Europe made the trek, confirming that, bucking the economic trend, the Rome mart has consolidated its standing.
As Fortissimo senior VP Nicole Mackey put it: "Rome has become part the circuit: a place to conclude or continue talks started in Toronto or San Sebastian, prior to AFM."
But what really stood out during the fourth edition of Rome's Business Street -- which has shunned having company stands in favor of free-flow meets on the terrace of the Via Veneto's Hotel Majestic and in the nearby bars and restaurants -- was the New Cinema Network matchmaking initiative, which prompted more than 800 meetings held by 125 producers regarding 26 projects from 16, mostly European, countries.
"Aside from the numbers, what's important is that there is a circuit of co-production markets that complement each other, rather than compete," said Business Street topper Roberto Cicutto.
"It's a virtuous cycle that makes use of what came before and contributes to what will come later."
Case in point is "Free in Deed," a religion-themed comedy project by U.S. helmer-scribe Jake Mahaffy ("Wellness"), which producer Noah Harlan brought to Rome, following pitches earlier this year at the Cannes L'Atelier du Festival and New York's Independent Film Week.
"With Rome, I've now finished making the rounds," said Harlan, who heads New York shingle 2.1 Films and was the only U.S. producer at NCN.
Serbian helmer Stefan Arsenijevic's "No One's Child," about attempts to "civilize" an enfant sauvage boy found in the wilderness, took the top NCN nod.
While Rome's Business Street did not officially spawn any mega deal-memos -- since sales companies are holding off on trumpeting those until AFM -- several other significant news was announced, pertaining in particular to the global co-productions arena.
-- The Prix Eurimages, to be given during the European Film Awards in December to outstanding European producers, will go this year to Diana Elbaum and Jani Thiltges, "in recognition of their ability to work together and bring their vision across borders," said Eurimages topper Roberto Olla.
They respectively head Belgium-based production company Entre Chien et Loup and Samsa Film in Luxembourg, which have been very active as co-producers including, most recently, on Marina de Van's thriller "Ne te retourne pas," starring Monica Bellucci and Sophie Marceau, which unspooled in Cannes.
-- The Far East Festival, Europe's most prominent showcase for Asian cinema, based in Udine, Italy, and the Pusan Film Festival, announced a high-profile workshop/mart dedicated to East-West co-prods to be held during both events for selected projects by Asian and European helmers. The workshop, titled Ties That Bind, is financed by the EU's Media Program.
Contact Nick Vivarelli at
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