The Right Film in the Right Spot – Placement, Distribution and Marketing for Film and Media Productions
Film
markets are exclusive spaces during film festivals that young film and
media professionals have little idea of at the beginning of their
professional careers. Among other things, filmmakers, producers,
distributors, and sponsors meet there, projects are presented, pitched,
and traded. It is the place where the industrial side of the sector
accumulates.
Knowledge of film markets and festivals seems to be a
blind spot that needs to be examined – in terms of relevance to one's
own work. At the latest at the end of a film and media-related course of
study, the question after how to earn money with one's own works or
skills arises. Reflecting this in connection to the importance of film
markets is the claim of Profis Plaudern Praxis XV.
The
event aimed to give access to the mystery that is film markets and film
festivals and to classify its potential. Speakers from various fields
shared their unique assessments of what is happening in a film
market, how it works, for whom and when it is worthwhile to participate,
and what forms of participation are possible.
Profis Plaudern Praxis XV took place as a hybrid event:
On site:
- At the day of the event, four short lectures showed different perspectives on this year's topic
- Afterwards, individual queries were addressed in a moderated panel discussion and subsequent one-on-one conversations
Online:
- Pre-recorded interviews were available at DokfestChannels online for free from November 1st
- Some of the one-on-one conversations took place online via Zoom
Speakers and experts for one-on-one conversations:
Jutta Wille / AG Kurzfilm
Jutta Wille was
a production manager for various film productions. In 2003, she started
working for the German Short Film Association as a project coordinator
(including German Short Films catalogue; film markets in
Clermont-Ferrand and Annecy) and has been Managing Director since 2013.
Besides, she has been a regular member of various festival juries and
selection committees and has been active for Filmfest Dresden since
2002.
The German Short Film Association (AG Kurzfilm)
is the nationwide interest group for German short film. Members of this
umbrella organization are film festivals, film and art schools, short
film distributors as well as institutions of the film and cinema
industry. The aim is to improve the public perception of German short
films at home and abroad as well as the conditions for short film in
terms of production and exploitation. The association sees itself as a
service point for filmmakers and producers of short films as well as for
the cultural and film industry, cinemas and film festivals, and
politics.
With Shorts We’re Here for The Long Haul!
We
consider short film as an independent and innovative medium, as a form
of artistic expression and as a field of experimentation also for
established filmmakers. Among others, the lecture addressed the
following questions: How can the German Short Film Association support
filmmakers? How can you organize your festival submissions?
Dascha Petuchow / Plotlessfilm
Dascha Petuchow completed her studies in the field of communication design at the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences
in Wiesbaden. Since graduation, she has been involved in the Hessian
film scene in a variety of ways. In 2021, she co-founded the production
company Plotlessfilm in Wiesbaden.
As a young Hessian production company, Plotlessfilm focuses
on the intersection between entertaining genre film and artistic
arthouse. As an independent platform, we offer a contact point for the
development and production of sophisticated documentaries and feature
films as well as series formats. With the mixture of young talent and
experience, we develop and produce stories step by step in and out of
Hesse.
Short Films, Big Opportunities: Festival Strategies and Chances of Exploitation
The
short film is done. Now what? Whether as a starting point for larger
cinematic projects or as a contribution to the art form of short film,
there is no way around film festivals. But there are thousands of them,
and each short film requires an individual submission strategy. How do
you develop them and what happens to the film after the festival career?
Speaking from a perspective as filmmaker and producer, Dascha Petuchow
pointed out the most important aspects of the process.
Johanna Dathe / European Film Market
Johanna Dathe
is a Sales Manager at the European Film Market (EFM). She advises
international exhibitors in regard to stand and contract set-up as well
as registration matters. In addition, she offers guided tours over the
EFM to film and media students to give a practical insight into the
market. For several years, she has also worked in film production.
The European Film Market (EFM)
is one of the top three meeting places of the international film and
media industry. Its close links with the Berlinale as a public film
festival, and its position at the heart of Berlin’s vivid creative
economy, are defining characteristics of Berlinale’s film market. Yet
the EFM is more than just an agile marketplace for trading film and
audiovisual content – it has also positioned itself as a platform for
innovation and change.
Marketing Possibilities at the EFM
How
does the EFM work and which possibilities of participation are possible
especially in regard to screening requests? Which advantages does a
market stand offer? Which participant groups are in focus? These and
further topics were the subject of Johanna Dathe’s presentation.
Jakob Zapf / Neopol Film
With Neopol Film, Jakob Zapf
produces films and series in all genres and formats: TV and cinema,
off- and online, documentary and fiction. His debut “A Handful of Water”
with Jürgen Prochnow and Pegah Ferydoni was screened and awarded at
festivals worldwide and was released in German cinemas in 2021.
Neopol Film
is based in Frankfurt. Their vision is to shed a spotlight on society's
normality and weirdness, edginess, and fragility. Their medium is film,
their way is compelling stories that make you laugh and cry. Stories
can transcend borders and they believe in the power of collaborative
work. They develop projects in close collaboration with international
partners. Their projects range from independent features, series, and
other fictional content to stand-alone and serial documentaries.
Actually, What Are Film Markets and What Do They Do?
A
short introduction to a world behind film: How do professional projects
come about? How do films find their audience? Even among film
professionals, only a few people know about this world of film markets
and special industry sectors at festivals. They are used for sales, but
also for the initiation of new projects. They are particularly
interesting for networking, market overview and continued education.
The
lectures and one-on-one conversations are primarily addressed to
students from the network of the Hessian Film and Media Academy (hFMA)
and the participants of the 14th Hessian University Film Day. Other interested parties are welcome to join as well.
Profis Plaudern Praxis XV / Praxis Dokfest 2023 takes place as part of the 40th Kassel Documentary Film and Video Festival (14.-26.11.2023).
Since
2010, the series Profis Plaudern Praxis has been held as a cooperation
of Kasseler Dokfest and hFMA. The section considers itself as a platform
for further education of film and media professionals. In lectures and
workshops, experts share profound practical knowledge and discuss new
developments in the industry.
