NI Screen Targets European Film Market

The official film production promotion body, Northern Ireland Screen is to lead a trade mission to the European Film Market, which takes place in Berlin from 9-17 February 2012.

The European Film Market (EFM) runs for nine days as part of one of the most important film festivals in the world, the Berlinale.

As the first major film event of the year, it is a magnet for international industry professionals, and is seen as a barometer for the upcoming year in film.

The EFM is the business centre; producers, distributors, buyers and sales agents converge at the EFM where both commercial art-house and specialized mainstream are given star billing. The EFM goal is to provide the industry with a marketplace to discover the best quality products in the film business, to put together deals, provide new opportunities for networking and re-establish former relationships.

An NI Screen statement said: "As part of its overall remit to help grow a dynamic and sustainable screen industry in Northern Ireland, our objective through this targetted intervention is to help the participants further their skills in this arena, inform them of industry standards and requirements and network with peers and contacts, so they can compete effectively within the global industry.

"Northern Ireland Screen will offer financial assistance with travel, accommodation and registration fee up to a maximum of 75% of the total costs, or £875, whichever is the lesser amount.

"This amount is available per individual and companies may send a maximum of two applicants."

The statement added there are strict eligibility criteria in place for trade missions, the basic ones being a filmmaker is either a producer or a director and directors and senior programmers of a publicly funded film festival in Northern Ireland may also apply.

Northern Ireland Screen is asking for expressions of interest from candidates, who fulfill the criteria, to email the Marketing Department by 12 noon Thursday 1st December with 'Berlin EFM' in the subject line.

See: moyra@northernirelandscreen.co.uk

(BMcC)