At the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival, the film El Otro was a perfect example for the positive synergies between the different initiatives established by the festival. El Otro was directed by Ariel Rotter and produced by Aquafilms from Argentina, Celluloid Dreams Productions from France and Selavy Filmproduktion from Germany. The film received funding from the World Cinema Fund and was subsequently presented in the “World Cinema Market” section of the Berlinale Co-Production Market 2005. Once finished, the film was selected for Competition. El Otro was awarded with two Silver Bears.
Meeting at the Berlinale Co-Production Market 2007
At the fourth Berlinale Co-Production Market (February 11-13, 2007), a multi-faceted project selection of 37 projects from 26 countries (selected from 348 entries for the official selection and 202 applications for the Talent Project Market) were presented to potential co-production partners in more than 1000 pre-arranged meetings: there were newcomer projects and new films by established directors – these include Joe Dante (e.g. Gremlins), Jorge Gaggero (Live-In Maid), Wang Chao (Luxury Car; The Orphan of Anyang) or Clement Virgo (Berlinale 2006: Lie With Me).
In addition to the pre-arranged meetings, there was once again a diverse programme, offering many contact opportunities and the latest information. At one panel discussion, two of the projects from the Berlinale Co-Production Market selection were used as concrete examples to explain in detail how international co-productions can benefit from the newly-established German Federal Film Fund (DFFF). At that time, the fund had been in existence a mere fiveweeks so no “real” funding decisions had been made yet.
Other aspects of film financing were also explored through the case study of the five-country co-production Irina Palm. In another case study, producers, international distributors and publishers of Lady Chatterley discussed the potential of adaptations of literary classics.
There was a workshop on Manga, Animation and VFX – trend topics in the film industry – which brought together producers with and without experience in this field.