20th Vilnius international film festival

International film industry event Meeting point – Vilnius REPORT Participants

Over 300 guests attended industry event in 2015.

102 foreign guests represented 30 countries: Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnija and Her- zegovina, Bulgaria, , Czech, , Estonia, Finland, , Georgia, , , , Latvia, Poland, Netherlands, , Russia, , , Slovenia, , , Turkey, , G. Britain, USA.

202 participants were from a local film industry: producers, filmmakers, distributors, students.

23 festival programmers and film scouts looked for films from Baltic and former Soviet republics. Festi- vals, that were represented: Cottbus, Ankara, Directors Fortnight (Cannes), Rotterdam, Moscow, Tallinn, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Berlin, Sarajevo, Prague, Kiev, Odessa, Three Continents (France), Transylvania, San Sebastian, Golden Apricot (Armenia), Thesaloniki, Sofia, Lubeck, Gothenburg, Stockholm, Krakow.

Sales agents from such companies as “Wide management”(France), “Alpha Violet” (France), “M-ap- peal” (Germany), “Fandango”(Italy), “Films Distribution”(France), Edge Enternainment” (Sweden), “Rus- Report” (Russia), “Sligshot films” (Italy), “Pluto films” (Germany).

Representatives from film centers of Slovakia, Estonia and Latvia were also present.

13 Journalists from international media outlets such as “Screen International”, “Hollywood reporter”, “Film New Europe”, “Cineuropa”, “Vedomosti”, “Dazed and Confused”, “Sight and Sound” were pre- sent. Outcome:

16 Coming soon projects from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia were presented. 7 almost finished films were screened in the industry screenings.

“Meeting point – Vilnius” Coming soon session helped producers to gain contacts and to present their films for the festival programmers and sales agents. After the 2014 “Meeting point – Vilnius”, films, shown in Vilnius, continued their festival circuit: “Cherry Tobaco” (Estonia) - Karlovy Vary IFF, Tallinn Black nights IFF. “Man in Orange Jacket” (Latvia) - Fantastic fest (JAV), Tallinn Black nights IFF. Summer of Sangaile (Lithuania) Berlin IFF, Sundance IFF (Best director award). “In the crosswind” (Estonia) - Beijing IFF, Gothenborg IFF (Audience award), Estonian film of the year, Compettion programme of Vilnius IFF “Kino pavasaris”. “Tangerines” (Estonia) – Oscar nomination in the best foreign film category.

“Zero day” – a special day for the Lithuanian industry showed great interest in the topics like film and technology, film as a stratup and crowd funding. This day was organised together with progress confer- ence LOGIN and “Enterprise Lithuania”.

“Inspiring talk” – a new section in the event was meant for a closer look into a acclaimed film maker. The interviews were made with Joshua Oppenheimer and Michel Hazanavicius.

The presentation by Einstein couple – a danish film marketing professionals - and a presentation about European film viewers profile were among the most popular during the event.

A film festival focus group was organised together with our partners office (G.Brit- ain). 12 representatives of bigger and smaller European film festivals were talking about the biggest challenges that festivals face. The material from the focus group will be used in organizing workshops “Developing your film festival” in Motovun film festival (Croatia). Guest opinion about the event

Keiko Funato, sales agent, Alpha Violet, France

I had fruitful time and interesting meetings with producers, thanks to this opportunity. In terms of timing, it was perfect since many of producers have submitted their films to Cannes. We are actively watching as many as films in this status in March and April, so watching the films from Baltic regions in post produc- tion and meeting directly their producers in Vilnius, was very efficient!

Patricie Pouzarova, sales agent Pluto film, Germany

I really enjoyed you film festival. You have great film selection, the industry program was interesting and well organized. The moderators and panelists were also very good. I enjoyed the panel discussions, met new important people and had a lots of fun. You are a great film festival team and wish you all the best with next editions!

Jerom Baron, member of the jury, Three continents festival, France

Among ambitious festivals that would like to write their own story in a context where the number neutra- lizes all originality, I think Kino pavasaris manages to find good measure. Make a festival that looks like those who do it but no concede to a high professional requirement. I was delighted to participate for the first time and I probably will again travel to Vilnius as this experience was glad.

Continue to do things with the same mindset, combining rigor, youth and simplicity.

Alessandro Raja, FestivalScope, Sarajevo festival programmer

It was a very enriching trip for me, plenty of interesting meetings... (and some films too). By the way, congratulations for the closing ceremony, one of the best I have seen (usually I am not big fan of closing ceremonies, but your had the perfect spirit, timing and good music). Sonora Broka, Riga film festival, Latvia

I would like to thank you for this opportunity to visit Kino Pavasaris and Meeting Point! Not only I enjoyed attending screenings and film presentations, also possibilities to meet colleagues and discuss/listen to the discussions were very useful, and, hopefully, some of established contacts will turn out as a great co- operations. Kino Pavasaris has turned into a great and successful event, please except my compliments concerning both- organisational and artistic matters! I felt really welcomed, and mostly thanks to your care and attention. You have a fantastic drivers as well as other staff :)

Manuela Buono, sales agent, Slingshot films, Italia

I really enjoyed every single moment of these 3 days. I had fantastic business (I will tell you more about it) I had wonderful parties!!! I met great people!!! I have to say, the best event of the year so far, I am really happy I came! I want to know more about Lithuania and Baltic countries now, so keep in touch.

Ignas Sheynius, distributor, Edge entertainment, Sweden

Many thanks for a great time at the Vilnius Film Festival! Great energy, great hospitality. The 48 hours in Vilnius was really good and productive. Indeed the Vilnius Meeting Point is a great initiative and we found especially the Work in Progress presentations very interesting. Foreign press on Kino pavasarIS AND Meeting point – Vilnius