BFI SOUTHBANK
INDUSTRY FORUM DAY 1 INTRODUCTION TO RUSSIAN FILM INDUSTRY DAILY SCHEDULE - NOVEMBER, 28
- 11:00-12:15 Russia by numbers – What is the current state of the Russian cinema industry? Presented by the Managing Director of NevafilmOleg Berezin.
- 12:15-12:30 Coffee break.
- 12:30-13:15 Film financing in Russia. Presented by the Head of Financial and Production Department of the Russian Cinema Fund Vadim Potapov.
- 13:15-14:00 Russian Export Center supports Russian film industry abroad. How can they facilitate cooperation between British and Russian filmmakers? Presented by General director Andrei Slepnev and the Head of Creative Industry Eugeniya Danilchenko from the Russian Export Center.
- 14:00-15:00 Lunch break.
- 15:00-16:00 Film commissions in Russia. Presented by the General Director of Moscow Film Commission Svetlana Maximchenko and producer and scriptwriter, leader of the strategic initiative ‘Cinema of Russia’ at the Agency for Strategic Initiatives Anna Krutova.
- 16:00-17:00 – Round table ‘Distribution of independent foreign films in Russia and in the UK’. Participants: Julia Muravova (Exponenta Film), Leonid Godik (Beta Film GmbH), Denis Krupnov (Reason8 Films) and Wendy Reeds (Lionsgate).
- 17:00-17:15 Coffee break.
- 17.15-18:30 Educating future co-producers: challenges and opportunities. Presented by the Director of Moscow Film School Maria Sitkovskaya, Director of Universal University Katerina Cherkes-Zade, producer Artem Vasiliev, and representatives from UK film schools. DAY 2 PITCHING CO-PRODUCTION PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT
NOVEMBER, 30 11:00-13:00 THE DEED / ПОДВИГ
IN A WORLD, FULL OF EVERYDAY HEROES, IT TAKES A TRUE DEED TO KEEP ONE’S FAMILY TOGETHER.
Writer: Anastasia Palchikova Director: Alex Smirnov Producers: Fedor Bondarchuk, Vyacheslav Murugov, Mikhail Vrubel, Alexander Andryushchenko Actors: Fedor Bondarchuk, Yuliya Vysotskaya
Synopsis: Lena and Vova are middle-aged, but still in love. They have two kids, and still live life to the full. In London, where they come for their 15th wedding anniversary, they get caught up in the middle of a terrorist attack. They manage to get out alive, and Lena even rescues a little girl. When they come home, to everyone, Lena is a hero, and Vova a coward, hiding behind his wife. This will begin to tear the family apart, awakening all problems they had during their marriage, putting their love, self respect and their own selves to a great test. Until, when it is almost too late, Vova regains clarity. To save his family, he has to perform another heroic deed.
Production companies: Vodorod Pictures was founded in 2011 and consists of a team of young ambitious producers, who work in the field of film production and cooperate with Russian and international industry majors (Art Pictures Studio, STV, Sony Pictures Releasing, 20th Century Fox etc). Their current titles include ICE (6.3 mln viewers), ATTRACTION (4 mln), COP BABY (643 079), JUNGLE (1.5 mln), GHOST (1.7 mln). CTC Media is a leading Russian TV company managing 5 television channels in Russia as well as an international version of Peretz channel and Channel 31 in Kazakhstan. The international version of Domashny and Peretz are available in the CIS countries, the Baltic and other European states, North America, Georgia, UAE, Mongolia, and Australia.
Director CV: Alex Smirnov is a young ambitious director whose credits include TV show THE GARDEN RING (12 episodes), THE DRAIN MIRROR (short), DIAMOND PELL (short), THE HOME (short) dedicated to Marina Tsvetaeva.
Looking for: mutual investment opportunities in respect of this project.
Contact: Maria Karneeva [email protected] +79037410982 THE LAST FOUR DAYS OF PADDY BUCKLEY
A RECENTLY WIDOWED DUBLIN UNDERTAKER’S LIFE SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL IN A DARK SUPER- NATURAL COMEDY ABOUT GANGSTERS, MIXED-UP COFFINS, TALKING CORPSES AND A PET WOLF
Writer: Johnny O’Reilly, Jeremy Massey Director: Johnny O’Reilly Producer: Johnny O’Reilly Current status: Received development funding from Irish Film Board (2nd round)
Synopsis: Desperate to preserve the memory of his recently departed wife, undertaker Paddy Buckley discovers that he can bring her back to life in his mind as long as he stays awake. In this catatonic, sleepless state, he accidentally knocks down and kills Dublin’s most notorious criminal. While the criminal’s mob are mobilized to track down the killer, Paddy finds himself having to arrange the funeral. To alleviate the stress of his circumstance, Paddy gets drunk and has sex with Kate, a recently bereaved customer who dies during orgasm. As his problems mount, Paddy’s wife encourages him to join her by killing himself. A budding romance with Kate’s daughter drags him back from the brink but with the criminal mob closing in, Paddy’s chances of surviving his last four days are rapidly diminishing.
Production companies: With offices in Dublin and Moscow,Snapshot Films produces feature films and TV drama for the international market. Snapshot also provides production services to international co-productions seeking partners in both Russia and Ireland. It has a varied filmography, which includes documentaries, TV Drama as well as the Crimea-based film noir THE WEATHER STATION and critically acclaimed multi-narrative drama, MOSCOW NEVER SLEEPS.
Director CV: Johnny has worked as a TV and film writer/director for over 15 years. Among his early works is short film The Terms, which won over 20 prizes and was shortlisted for the Oscars. Johnny has written and directed three feature films including experimental film COMA with Mike Figgis, and two Russian films; the Crimea-based film noir The Weather Station and critically acclaimed multi-narrative drama, Moscow Never Sleeps.
Looking for: UK co-production partners, equity finance, Russian co-producer (post-production).
Contact: Johnny O’Reilly [email protected] +353831566600 THE FIRE / ОГОНЬ
THE SUPERPOWERS’ LEADERS HAVE BEEN IN SECRET NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ALIENS FOR YEARS, NOW THE WAR IS COMING: A UN’S PSYCHOLOGIST TRIES TO PREVENT IT.
Writer: Kirill Fokin Director: Valery Fokin Producers: Renat Dalvetiarov, Grigory Podzemelny, Artem Vitkin
Synopsis: Vladimir, a UN official has discovered that world leaders have been in secret contact with aliens. Convinced that his wife’s stillbirth was caused by an alien spaceship hovering above Florida, he tells her everything and she calls him crazy. Vladimir goes to the sea shore to commit suicide but without any obvious reason he returns home just in time to save his wife from a suicide attempt. Several years later Vladimir now one of the top UN experts on extra-terrestrial life, receives an urgent call to participate in a Contact in St. Petersburg. The aliens propose that the world leaders declare universal disarmament. However, the world leaders decide to order a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the alien spaceships. Vladimir attempts to fly back to Washington to join his wife but he is detained for interrogation. This is the moment when the war starts.
Production companies: Interfest is a dynamic Russian film company which each year produces 2-3 films. Widely distributed in Russia and the CIS, most of these films feature in national and foreign film festivals. The company’s first production LOVEY-DOVEY was a sure-fire national hit in 2007. Other titles are DONBASS. BORDERLAND, WIZARDS, PURE ART, THE DAWNS HERE ARE QUIET, ONCE and other.
Director CV: Kirill Fokin is an artistic director of the Alexandrinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, president of the Meyerhold Centre in Moscow. Honored Artist of Russia. Director of more than 80 plays all over the world, including Poland, Hungary, Germany, Finland, Greece, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, France and the United States. This project will be his feature debut.
Looking for: co-production partners, financing, sales and festivals representatives.
Contact: Artem Vitkin [email protected] +79161842121 PAPER BIRDS / БУМАЖНЫЕ ПТИЦЫ
GLENN MILLER. WHO WAS HE? JAZZ ICON OR LEADER OF THE KGB? DEVIOUS MYSTIFICATION OR COVERT OPERATION OF THE UK AND US SECRET SERVICES? ILLUSION OF A WOMAN IN LOVE OR REALITY?
Writer: Alexander Gonorovskiy Producer: Alex Kessel, Inna Orkina (creative producer)
Synopsis: December, 1944. A military aircraft took off from the UK Twinwood air base, however, it never reached its destination. Among the missing was Major Glenn Miller, the greatest big band bandleader of the swing era. In 1956 another plane landed in Budapest with Marion Hutton, a former star of Miller’s Orchestra, on board. Hutton came to communist Hungary to find Glenn Miller, many years after he had been officially declared dead. Having come to Budapest on the eve of the uprising, Marion was looking for the Soviet Ambassador Yury Andropov, who looked like Glenn Miller.
Production companies: Sputnik Vostok Production has been exclusively dedicated to TV and film production since 2009. The company was founded by Alexander Kessel, creative and executive producer, director and member of the Russian Television Academy. The company’s creative portfolio consists of features, documentaries, TV series and TV shows, which are successfully broadcasted by Russian TV channels. The company has collaborated with respected Russian scriptwriters and is well-known for co-production activities. Titles include TV series BETTER THAN US, LONDONGRAD for CTC Media, DOCTOR’s DIARY (season 1 and 2) and others.
Looking for: co-producers, co-financing partner, crew and cast.
Contact: Alex Kessel [email protected] / Inna Orkina [email protected] LENIN / ЛЕНИН
LENIN CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY, BUT HIS LIFE WAS TOO SHORT TO SEE THE REVOLUTION THROUGH TO ITS CONCLUSION. TO THIS DAY, THE REVOLUTION CONTINUES, CRAFTED BY OUR OWN HANDS.
Writer: Vladimir Sorokin Producers: Enela Yatsura, Yuriy Krestinskiy
Synopsis: In world history there might be only a dozen personalities whose accomplishments have changed the course of human history by reshaping views on global borders, political and economic sciences and even philosophy. One of them is Lenin, and he might be the most radical one. Our film is both an investigation and an adventure highlighting the life of a person as part of the human history. Lenin is a politician with autism spectrum disorder, a cyclist, and a lover. He is the celebrity of the age. Almost hundred years after his death, Lenin’s name still invokes controversy around the world. Nevertheless, there is not a single film in world history which would do justice to the scale of events involving Lenin. Our goal is to fill the gap.
Production companies: Trikita Entertainment was founded in 2011 and is committed to creating feature-length movies and experimental films with a special focus on projects of international scope in both production and distribution. A launching pad for first-time producers, Trikita boasts a young team under the experienced guidance of Yelena Yatsura, winner of multiple Russian and international prizes and a permanent fixture on the Berlin, Cannes and Venice film festival circuit. Company’s previous films include GENERATION P, TSILI (dir. Amos Gitai), Italian Movies (dir. Matteo Pellegrini), SULEIMAN MOUNTAIN and others.
Writer CV: Vladimir Sorokin is one of the most popular contemporary Russian writers and dramatists. He is prolific in various forms ranging from novels to plays, short stories and others. His works are translated into dozens of languages and published around the world by publishing houses such as Gallimard, Fischer, DuMont, BV Berlin, Haffman, Verlag Der Autoren. His screenplays include 4, GOLDEN TIGER, GOLDEN CACTUS, DAU.
Looking for: co-producers, investors, sales and festivals.
Contact: Elena Yatsura [email protected] +79055024046 THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYCH
FAITHFULLY BASED ON LEO TOLSTOY’S VISCERAL MASTERPIECE OF THE SAME NAME, THIS ARTISTIC ADAPTATION IS A DEVASTATING ACCOUNT OF A DYING MAN FORCED TO COME TO TERMS WITH HIS OWN MORTALITY.
Writer, director: Nicholas Rooney
Synopsis: Set in late 19th century Russia, this film tells the story of a forty-five year old charismatic lawyer who is self-absorbed, opportunistic, and busy with mundane affairs. He has never considered his own death until disease strikes. Now, as he confronts his mortality, he wonders what his life has meant, whether he has made the right choices, and what will become of him. For the first time he is becoming …….conscious. Confronting the reality of his death forces him to reflect on the meaning of his life: in death he finds life. It is a profound, relevant and spiritual exploration accompanied by beautiful music and artful cinematography inspired by 17th century Dutch painting and Japanese Haiku.
Production companies: Theatre of Life Productions is an independent production company founded in 2015 by Nicholas Rooney. The company tries to follow the model of the great history painters and looks for inspiration from the Classical and Biblical worlds, great historical events, world literature. Its first film is the award winning documentary feature film THE PILLARS OF HEAVEN which was directed/ written/produced by Nicholas Rooney. It currently has two films in production: a feature documentary THE WOLF IN THE MOONLIGHT and A FATHER’S SACRIFICE (short).
Director CV: Nicholas Rooney is a young Brit who comes from a mainly academic background, having studied Latin, Greek, Philosophy, Diplomacy and International Relations in the UK, Belgium and Russia. He worked as a diplomat for the EU at OSCE in Vienna during the height of the Ukraine crisis and was deeply affected by this crisis. He subsequently received training at the National Film and Television School and the London Film School and made 2 short films - THE WIDOW’S HANDKERCHIEF and THE RED ROSE OF VENUS. THE PILLARS OF HEAVEN is his first documentary feature film (awards: Talented New Filmmaker at World Cinema Nice Film Festival (2017), Special Mention at Religion Today Film Festival (2018)).
Looking for: co-producers, investors, cast, crew and other supporters of the project.
Contact: Nicholas Rooney [email protected] +447769334074 PIGEON’S MILK / МОЛОКО ГОЛУБИ
A PSYCHOLOGICAL, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ABOUT A TEENAGE BOY, ANDRIAN WHO LIVES IN A REMOTE VILLAGE OF MOLDOVA AND WHOSE LIFE STARTS ASSUMING A TONE OF GRIEVOUS REALITY – HIS FIRST LOVE, FIRST VITAL CHOICE, FIRST DESCENT…
Writer, director: Eugen Marian Producers: Roman Borisevich, Alexander Kushaev Actors: Elena Lyadova, Valeriu Andriuta
Synopsis: A psychological, biographical sketch about a teenage boy, Andrian who lives in a remote village in Moldova and whose life starts assuming a tone of grievous reality – his first love, first vital choice. Shortly before Easter, in search of a better life, Andrian is planning to escape to Europe. He has five days to prepare. In order to pay for the trip, he decides to sell a silver cup belonging to his grandfather. Andrian suspects that his mother is having an affair with the owner of a local poultry farm. Andrian decides to seek revenge so he secretly kills this man’s dog, then thwarts the man’s son Serjiu’s important deal. Serjiu together with his friends seize Andrian and torture him, (apparently accidentally) killing him. Some stray dogs dig Andrian out of his makeshift grave and he revives.
Production companies: KOKTEBEL Film Company was established in 2003. From the time of its establishment the company has produced a dozen award-winning feature films including KOKTEBEL (2003), HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER (Berlinale 2010 – 3 Silver Bears) and many others.
Director CV: Eugen Marian graduated from in the Moscow Film School “Artkinoclub” in 2017. Author and musician at Elayjawood music band. Released three albums. His works include MY LAST CLOUDS and THE SONG FOR THE ALIVE (short).
Looking for: co-production and co-financing partners.
Contact: Roman Borisevich [email protected] 3 MINUTES OF SILENCE / 3 МИНУТЫ МОЛЧАНИЯ
MURMANSK - A COLD, RUSTY PORT CITY. ABLE SEAMAN MISHA IS ALMOST THIRTY. THE MONEY IS GOOD BUT HE HAS NO LIFE ON SHORE, SO HE GOES BACK TO SEA - TO JOIN THE BROTHERHOOD OF VAGABONDS WHO LIVE FOR THE DAY BECAUSE ANY STORM COULD MEAN NO TOMORROW.
Writer: Natalia Meschaninova Director: Boris Khlebnikov Producers: Natalia Drozd, Sergey Selyanov
Synopsis: Misha (30) does rotating shifts on a fishing trawler. He has no sense of purpose in life. He’d like to marry and settle down in Murmansk but, having no real determination to do so, he’s back at sea again. As the trawler is hit by a storm and starts to leak, the crew receives an SOS signal from a nearby vessel. Misha disobeys the captain’s orders and leads the rescue mission. The knowledge that others are in greater danger transforms the crew into heroes. For a few hours, life feels real and meaningful. But then, Misha’s trawler returns to a typically bleak Murmansk day of fog and ambiguity.
Production companies: CTB Film Company is one of the most established names in Russia’s film production business. Founded in 1992, CTB has produced more than eighty feature films and feature animations. In 2008, CTB’s film The Mongol was shortlisted for Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Since 2010, CTB Film Company has been rated as one of Russia’s major filmmakers with an annual budget of federal slate funding.
Director CV: Boris Khlebnikov studied biology at the Moscow State University of Education, film criticism at the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography. His films include KOKTEBEL (Karlovy Vary IFF - Phillip Morris prize), FREE FLOATING (Venice IFF), HELP GONE MAD (Berlinale Forum), ARRHYTHMIA (Karvoly Vary IFF - Best Actor) and many others.
Looking for: co-production and co-financing partners, sales.
Contact: Natalia Drozd [email protected] +7 921 915 55 22 WORK-IN-PROGRESS
NOVEMBER, 30 14:00-16:00 BATTLE BATTLE / БИТВА
ANTON ONE OF THE BEST RUSSIAN STREET DANCERS, LOST THE ABILITY TO HEAR MUSIC AFTER A STREET FIGHT. HE FINDS STRENGTH IN HIMSELF TO CHANGE HIS OUTLOOK AND FINDS THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE.
Writer: Anar Abbasov, Oleg Denisov Alexey Anar Director: Anar Abbasov Uchitel Abbasov Producer: Alexey Uchitel Actors: Rinal Muhametov, Anna Isaeva, Ekaterina Kukuy, Ilya Antonenko, Igor Mirkurbanov, Vitaliy Kovalenko, Anfisa Semina, Alla Eminceva, Artem Karpov
Synopsis: Anton is one of the best street dancers in Russia, young and ambitious, his sights set on winning the world championship. But a street fight puts an end to his dreams. Coming round in the hospital, he discovers that he can’t hear his mother’s or even his own voice. He is diagnosed with total deafness. His life has lost all meaning since he can no longer dance. He is locked in a silent, lonely world. But Anton finds the inner strength to change his outlook on life. He rediscovers his love for life and decides to start everything over from scratch. He teaches deaf kids to dance and they decide to take on a real challenge and compete side-by-side with hearing children. Anton is inspired by their courage. His creative zeal and passion for dancing bring him back to the stage.
Production companies: Alexey Uchitel is a famous feature film director (MATHILDE, BREAK LOOSE, THE EDGE) and the CEO of Rock Films Studio, a film production company established in 1991. The Studio has been known for its support for first-time directors (THE MAJOR, THE FOOL by Yuri Bykov, PAVLOV’S DOG by Katya Shagalova, RELATIONS by Dunya Smirnova, ENEMIES by Maria Mozhar and THE DRY VALLEY by Alexandra Strelyanaya).
Director CV: At the age of 20 Azerbaijan-born Anar Abbasov became a professional hip-hop artist and moved to Moscow in 2002. He graduated from VGIK in 2011. His credits include: AMUN (2017, Best Cinematography at Dvijenie Film Festival in Omsk) and the shorts GURBAN (2011, Special Jury Award at Clermont - Ferrand International Short Film Festival).
Looking for: post-production partners, sales agents and festival representatives. Contact: Anna Shalashina [email protected] +7 926 821 08 12
JEALOUSY JEALOUSY / РЕВНОСТЬ
LENA SUSPECTING HER HUSBAND OF BEING UNFAITHFUL, TAKES HER REVENGE BY SLEEPING WITH OTHER MEN. SHE DISCOVERS, SHE WAS MISTAKEN, BUT HER “ADVENTURES” ARE EXPOSED.
Writer: Lyubov Mulmenko, Nigina Sayfullaeva Director: Nigina Sayfullaeva Producers: Sergey Kornikhin, Valeriy Fedorovich, Pavel Odynin Actors: Evgeniya Gromova, Alexandr Pal
Synopsis: Lena is a respected obstetrician in a provincial coastal town. Her husband Sergey is an actor at the local theatre. They seem to lead a quiet family life, although the romantic period in their relationship seems to be over. Lena is clearly hungry for male attention, intimacy and new erotic experiences. At a particular point, she starts to suspect Sergey of having an affair and decides to exact her revenge by sleeping with several random strangers. Lena struggles with her insecurities and explores her sexuality at the same time. Eventually after a few one-night-stands, she discovers that she was mistaken about her husband. Neither his rediscovered love, nor her work routine can distract her from emotional turbulence. Even more so, she is in for a nasty surprise at work. She recognises the husband of her new client as one of her one-night-stands. Their “acquaintance” is revealed, and Sergey, of course, finds out about Lena’s “adventures” …
Production companies: Moscow based Droog Drooga is a production boutique led by Sergey Kornikhin. The company focuses on both auteur and strong director driven entertainment films and series for the international market. Its filmography includes HUMORIST (Russia-Czech Republic-Latvia), I AM LOSING IT, BEST DAY IN LIFE, NAME ME and other.
Director CV: After getting her degree in history of arts Nigina Sayfullaeva graduated as a director from the High Courses of Scriptwriters and Film Directors. Her directorial debut was NAME ME (2014) which earned a special award in Tallinn and participated in New Directors in San Sebastian. Last year Nigina participated together with another five most promising Russian directors in the anthology film ABOUT LOVE.
Looking for: gap-financing, sales and festivals. Contact: Sergey Kornikhin [email protected] +79161289414 Pavel Odynin [email protected] +79031601542 LAST HONEY BULGARIA LAST HONEY BULGARIA / ПОСЛЕДНЯЯ МИЛАЯ БОЛГАРИЯ
IN 1942 A YOUNG FRUIT BREEDER LEONID YETS IS EVACUATED TO KAZAKHSTAN IN ORDER TO REVITALIZE A RARE VARIETY OF APPLES, BUT FACES A MYSTERY. Aleksey Writer: Aleksey Fedorchenko, Lidiya Osokina Fedorchenko Director: Aleksey Fedorchenko Producers: Artem Vasilyev, Andrey Saveliev, Dmitriy Vorobiev Actors: Konstantin Itounin, Ilya Belov, Alena Artemova
Synopsis: A young fruit breeder Leonid is evacuated to Alma-Ata in 1942 in order to develop a new variety of apples called “Last Honey Bulgaria”. Leonid was given a room, where he finds the diaries of a man who had recently died mysteriously so he decides to establish the truth, Alma-Ata during this period was a centre of Soviet filmmaking. Olga, in whose flat Leonid has his room, works at the film studio and shows Leonid around. Leonid is intrigued by the process of filmmaking. He discusses the dead man`s life with doctor and house painter Pierre. Leonid is sure that the mystery has a logical explanation. He discovers an episode in the dead man`s life which caused his depression leading to his death. However, matters turn out to be more complicated and although it appears everything is ruined, nothing is as it appears - the world is full of wonders.
Production companies: The film is produced by 3 film companies – METRAFILMS, SAGa and 29th February. SAGa and METRAFILMS together has previously produced such films as THE HUMORIST, ANNA`S WAR (Rotterdam IFF), DOVLATOV (Silver Bear for outstanding artistic contribution for costume and production design at Berlinale), UNDER ELECTRIC CLOUDS (Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution at Berlinale).
Director CV: Aleksey Fedorchenko was born 29 September 1966 in Sol-Iletsk (Russia). In 2002, he got a BA in screenwriting from the All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography. His background in documentary film greatly influences his approach to creation of cinematic reality. He has won the main awards of numerous IFFs, among them several prizes at Venice International Film Festival for the film FIRST ON THE MOON (2005) and later for SILENT SOULS (2010).
Looking for: Sales agents, private funds, distributors, co-producers, festivals. Contact: Artem Vasilyev [email protected] +79033638553 ONE BREATH ONE BREATH / ОДИН ВДОХ
FOLLOWING HER DIVORCE, MARINA GORDEEVA THINKS SHE’LL NEVER FIND LOVE AGAIN. LITTLE DOES SHE KNOW THAT ONE DAY, SHE’LL FIND THE LOVE OF HER LIFE IN FREEDIVING BUILT ON DIVING AS DEEP AS POSSIBLE ON A SINGLE BREATH.
Writer: Alena Alova Director: Elena Hazanova Producers: Olga Danova, Svetlana Izvekova Actors: Viktorya Isakova, Maxim Suhanov
Synopsis: Swimming teacher at a community pool and mother of two Marina’s ordinary life is shattered by her husband’s infidelity. However, Marina discovers a new love - freediving - diving as deep as possible on a single breath. She starts training for the Russian Freediving championship. Her teenage son and daughter don’t take mum’s newfound hobby seriously and neither do Marina’s competitors at the Russian championship until she wins the gold medal. Marina moves to Moscow where she finds more opportunities for her career but her dream collides with reality. She’s a single mother of two strong-willed teenagers; she has to work extra hours to make ends meet; and she can only train secretly at night as her boss at the university pool doesn’t approve of freediving. For Marina, gaining victory in the World Championship becomes a question of gaining victory over herself.
Production companies: Film company Public Opinion was founded in 2010. During its existence dozens of documentaries, feature films, television and advertising projects were created in various formats. Our partners are the Ministry of Culture, Cinema Fund, Channel One Russia, CTC Media, Channel 5, REN TV, TV3. Films produced by the film company are laureates of two TEFI awards.
Director CV: Elena Khazanova is a film director based in Switzerland. Her previous films include LOVE EXPRESS (2004, debut), LA TRADUCTRICE (2006, Switzerland-Russia , Locarno IFF), MISTRESSES, PUPPET SYNDROME (2015, Russia-Germany-Switzerland) and other.
Looking for: Co-producers, sales agents, distributors, festivals. Contact: Svetlana Izvekova [email protected] +7916317672 Olga Danova [email protected] +79166093672 THE PENCIL THE PENCIL / КАРАНДАШ
WHEN ANTONINA STARTS TEACHING ART IN A SMALL NORTH RUSSIAN VILLAGE, SHE QUICKLY DISCOVERS THAT THE POWER IN THE SCHOOL BELONGS TO HER TWELVE-YEAR OLD STUDENT.
Natalya Writer, director: Natalya Nazarova Nazarova Producers: Denis Kovalevskiy, Maxim Dashkin, Anna von Dziembowska Actors: Nadezhda Gorelova, Vladimir Mishukov
Synopsis: After her husband is arrested, Antonina leaves her comfortable life in Saint Petersburg to follow him to the northern province of Russia. She finds a job as an art teacher at a local school and is determined to lift the spirits of the downtrodden children in her class. However, she quickly discovers that the power in the school belongs to a 12-year-old boy Misha, whose brother is a feared local gang leader. Despite the warnings, Antonina stands up to the boy who bullies and tortures his classmates and the teachers.
Production companies: With offices in Moscow and London,Victoria Films has a diverse slate of feature films in pre-production and development: e.g. FAR FRONTIERS will go into production with the support of Russian Ministry of Culture in 2018; FLIGHT OF THE WASP tells the story of the invention of the Vespa and is being developed within the EAVE workshop. Salt Studio is known for its successful partnership with Russian independent directors. Its collaboration with Kirill Serebrennikov, BETRAYAL, premiered in competition at Venice International Film Festival. Other titles produced include SALVATION, 72 HOURS and ALBATROS.
Director CV: Natalya Nazarova’s screenwriting credits include MERMAID (World Cinema Dramatic Directing Award at Sundance Film Festival) and BETRAYAL (Competition at Venice International Film Festival). Her directing debut THE DAUGHTER, won the FIPRESCI awards at Tallinn and Warsaw International Film Festival. Her second feature film THE PENCIL is currently in post-production and was presented at Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum where it won the ‘HAF Goes to Cannes’ Award.
Looking for: distributors, festivals, TV and VOD. Contact: Anna von Dziembowska [email protected] Anastasia Lukovnikova [email protected] SENAFON SENAFON / СЕНАФОН
WHEN ANTONINA STARTS TEACHING ART IN A SMALL NORTH RUSSIAN VILLAGE, SHE QUICKLY DISCOVERS THAT THE POWER IN THE SCHOOL BELONGS TO HER TWELVE-YEAR OLD STUDENT.
Writer: Konstantin Charmadov Evgeny Vasily Director: Evgeny Shelyakin Shelyakin Solovyov Producers: Vasily Solovyov, Julia Mishkinene, Yury Khrapov, Anna Peskova Actors: Mihail Gomiashvili, Evgeniya Dmitrieva, Jaray Moenprayoon, Vladimir Mishukov
Synopsis: A man whose youth has long passed and whose name is Xenofont never imagined that life could surprise him. He wouldn’t believe that one can enjoy life in full when one is 70 years old. His journey starts when he was found unconscious on a Thai beach. New adventures give way to a new life full of friends and love.
Production companies: 2D Celluloid was founded in 2010 by Vasily Solovyov. For over 7 years the film company has produced movies and shows which have participated in national and international film festivals and which were released in cinemas and on TV. Among the last company’s releases is the GOOD BOY feature film by Oksana Karas. The film won the Grand prix at Kinotavr and took part in numerous film festivals.
Director CV: Evgeny Shelyakin was born on 18 September 1976. He graduated from the Krasnodar Institute of law. In 2008 he graduated from VGIK. He has a long experience of working as a screenwriter for television, and was awarded the Teffi prize in two nominations in 2009-2010. His feature films as a director were successfully released in cinemas - FRIDAY (2016), B/W (2014).
Looking for: co-production partners, financing, sales, distribution, festivals.
Contact: Marianna Morgovskaia [email protected] +79169342690 ORGANIZERS
Filip Perkon - president of Russian Film Week and Golden Unicorn Award [email protected] Anna Shalashina - curator of Industry Forum [email protected] Anna Gudkova - pitching curator [email protected] Michael Mindt - editor [email protected] Maryna Veremeieva - travel curator [email protected] Maria Razumova - PR [email protected] PARTNERS
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