Nisimazine monthly October 2007

NisiMazine *2

OCTOBER 07

Special focus Screening & Distribution of Short Films

Editorial

‘‘

F

or me, this time of year still has a certain back-to-school f lavour, even though a fair while has passed since my days of canteen dinners and class timetables. With the chilly autumnal breezes and the darker evenings starting to close in (at least on my particular side of the continent), there is a definite feeling in the air that the carefree days of summer are over and it’s time to knuckle down to some serious business.

There was also a meeting of our Board members (where all the important stuff is discussed). You can check out the results on page 5. In addition, members of the organising association Cras Tibi have been given the teacher’s pet treatment in our in the spotlight section.

Conveniently for you lucky readers, Nisimazine has done all the homework this month. Our special focus on screenings and distribution in Europe presents a selection of articles with upto-date information on developments in the short film sector . For the independent auteurs amongst you, it also happens to be packed with handy ideas on how to get your film out there.

Top of the class!’’

Aren’t we good to you?

Our October edition also features an end-of-term report from Budapest. In September, the Budapest Squares documentary filmmaking workshop took place in the Hungarian capital.

Agenda October, 7th~8th Turin (Italy) Preparatory meeting for the next film criticism workshop in Turin October, 25th Paris (France)

Ciné-Pudding # 3

October, 31st In all the network Deadline for applying to European Short Pitch

All of this alongside the latest network news, member profiles and updates in the field of youth cinema across the European continent.

Jude Lister Secretary of the Editorial Nb: If you would like to contribute to Nisimazine by writing an article, interview, portrait or report, or you want to propose a special theme for an upcoming issue, please send your suggestions to europe@nisimasa.com.

We would also appreciate any general feedback on the current format and content of our magazine, so that we can improve future editions!

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Next Issue...

NISIMAZINE 3 ~ November 2007 SPECIAL FOCUS ON SCRIPTWRITING

NISI MASA CONTEST 2007 IN THE SPOTLIGHT: FRANTI (NM ITALIA)

NISIMAZINE is a monthly newsletter published by the association NISI MASA. EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-chief Matthieu Darras Secretary of the editorial Jude Lister Art director, layout Emilie Padellec Contibuting writers for this issue Matthieu Darras, Daniel Deak, Lasse Lecklin, Judy Lister, Emilie Padellec, Fedor S. Limperg Cover pictures: “Future Shorts Night at the Thames Fesitval” © Craig Westwood ; http://futureshortsblog.wordpress.com NISI MASA 10 rue de l’Echiquier, 75010, Paris, France.

Tel.: + 33 (0)1 53 34 62 78 + 33 (0)6 32 61 70 26 Email europe@nisimasa.com Website www.nisimasa.com

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Special Focus Screening & Distribution of Short Films

nce your short film is finished, hang on, it’s only the beginning! Rather than spreading your films randomly, get them screened and distributed for the best. Notorious or independent, festivals, web platforms and many other initiatives await nothing else but you. So, here follow some news, tips and exemples of ‘in situ’ or online projects, which will guide you on the right track...

Film Festival Submissions Online With the ever increasing number of film festivals on the

European continent - perhaps most noticeably in the short film sector - more and more of which are dedicated to specialist themes (one festival I saw promoted this year was limited to works shot exclusively using mobile phones; even in this technologically - advanced age I had to wonder what kind of niche market the organisers had in mind with this one), the possibilities for getting your film seen are both endless and bewildering. However submissions procedures can be long, complicated and tedious.

Luckily, there is help at hand. Short film distribution sites such as Shortfilmdepot and Reelport offer an easy and convenient alternative to the endless research and filling in of forms. The principle is simple. Once you have created an account and completed all of the relevant information regarding your film, you can send it to as many festivals you like with just a few clicks of the mouse, free of charge! Both sites have comprehensive film festival databases with up to date information, which allow you to pick and choose where you would like to target your submissions. At any time, your account then enables you to check on the progress of your entries.

Sites such as these are also good news for festivals, providing them with an outlet for self-promotion and an easy administration tool to manage their submissions.

On Reelport, many films are even downloaded and made available for viewing online.

Websites: www.reelport.com ; www.shortfilmdepot.com.

Future Shorts FutureShorts, which began in 2003, is an organisation active in the fields of distribution, exhibition and consultancy, its overall aim being to make short film a respected medium in its own right. It has grown into a successful global network (currently in 16 countries), stretching all the way from Italy and the Ukraine, to Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and Kenya.

Focusing on new and innovative high-quality programming, it situates itself at the “cutting edge” of the short film market, including in its scope music videos, animations, advertisements and experimental films.

Once a short film is part of the FutureShorts catalogue, it benefits from worldwide exposure. The network organises monthly film festivals, aiming to provide a continuous platform for emerging talent. Regular special events also bring an alternative f lavour to the film watching experience, often involving live music, cabaret and installations alongside screenings. With a further 30 sites currently in development, chances are there will be a FutureShorts event near you sometime soon… You can submit and watch short films, and find out about upcoming events at www.futureshorts.com

FilmZender

By Fedor S. Limperg Submit your film to festivals through the NM network

OUR PROPOSAL Submitting films for festival and market consideration is an important step in the filmmaking process. Festival participation definitely increases your chances in the world of cinema. Unfortunately the submission process can be extremely time-consuming. For this reason many filmmaking people neglect to get the best out of the possibilities, which is a pity. You made a film, now it deserves to be seen, right? The filmZender project plans to set up an online festival matching system, connected to all NM member organisations and countries.

HOW DOES IT WORK? You enter your film data into the system and can immediately see which festivals have criteria which match your work. These results can then be further specified with personal preferences. In addition, you will be able to share knowledge with other NM members through festival reviews, so you can see what others think. Finally, you will select those events that really interest you. Having chosen the entries that you will go for, filmZender continuously helps you with scheduling by sending you reminders via email. So you know where to send what, how and when.

THE BENEFITS OF FILMZENDER: • save time by matching your film with festivals online, • exchange information on festivals with other NM people, • select festivals with your own personal preferences, • receive useful tips on how and when to send your film, • receive automatic reminders in your own online festival agenda.

We will soon officially make a proposal to the NM board to develop filmZender within the network.

If you are interested to join this project, please contact us (mail@filmnetwerk.org) or the European Office (europe@ nisimasa.com).

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Special Focus Screening & Distribution of Short Films

Ciné-Pudding

S

ome of you might already know the concept of a « cinébrunch », a screening of short films to be enjoyed over a brunch?

Last May, NISI MASA France started up a new formula called “Ciné-Pudding”. Our initial idea was simple: to launch a call for short films in Europe (both inside and outside of the NISI MASA network) and select 4 or 5 films each month relating to a single topic. And here popped up the ‘pudding idea’, meant to symbolise the diversity of the origins and genres of the films. In a festive touch, real puddings are baked for every screening ;)

On the 10 th of May, our theme was “Dreams and Phantasms”. We screened, amongst other films, Sea Bass Dream by Claudio Lauri (in the presence of its lead actor, Luca Lombardi), and Some senses, Some cities by Ljiljana Cavic. On the 20 th of June, the new theme was “Urban Crossings” and the new films: Get(t)in lîlâmâya

by Gianluca Zerial, London

by Laurin Federlin, Let’s put it on (a collective film from the “Visions of Istanbul” workshop) and shantyGARDENtown by Guillaume Giovanetti and Cagla Zencirci. The current total: 9 films from 8 different nationalities!

The two key ingredients for us are to support short films not necessarily already shown in festivals, and to invite amongst us directors, actors or other members of the film’s casts.

Let’s Share our Shorts !

I

f one reviews the local activities organised in the past in the network, screenings of short films are on top. From Ankara to Madrid, from Paris to Sofia, many regular cine-clubs and other cinematic ‘rendezvous’ took place. Sometimes followed by debates, festive or not, these events often want to be alternatives to the traditional formulas offered by festivals.

Unfortunately,  you may think , difficult to rush up there. But, what if this collection of shorts would come directly to you?!

That’s why NISI MASA wants to create a database of European short films already appreciated and shown by fellowsnisimasians. Then, this database will be shared and of course, updated regularly. Not only it’s a matter of encouraging a broader diffusion of these films, but also a way of abetting every NISI MASA association to organize (easily!) new local events.

So don’t be selfish: just share ;) To communicate the details of the short films that you wish to include in the database, please, send an email to Silvia Taborelli (Board Member) at silviataborelli@libero.it Thanks !

Our screenings take place at “Les Voûtes”, an underground artistic space located in the 13th district of Paris. For our next rendez-vous (October the 25th), ‘hybrid films’ blending animation, drawing and real-takes will be on the menu…

Don’t hesitate to send us new film submissions: NISI MASA FRANCE, 71-73 avenue d’Italie, H274, 75013, Paris - FRANCE More information: france@nisimasa.com

©‘shantyGARDENtown’

by G. Giovanetti & C. Zencirci

some fESTIVALS deadlines International Izmir Short Film Festival TURKEY ~ November 3-9, 2007 Submission deadline: October 9 www.izmirkisafilm.org Paris Tout Court - International Short Film Festival FRANCE ~ January 8-15, 2008 Submission deadline: October 12 www.paristoutcourt.org Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival FRANCE ~ February 1-9, 2008 Submission deadline: October 15 www.clermont-filmfest.com Anima - Festival of Animated Films BELGIUM ~ February 1-9, 2008 Submission deadline: October 15 www.folioscope.be Göteborg International Film Festival SWEDEN ~ January 25 – February 4, 2008 Submission deadline: October 19 www.goteborg.filmfestival.org Trieste Film Festival ITALY ~ January 17-24, 2008 Submission deadline: October 31 www.retecivica.trieste.it/alpeadria Berlinale – Berlin International film festival GERMANY ~ February 7-17, 2008 Submission deadline: November 1 http://www.berlinale.de

Budapest Report

Hungary

31.August-9.September 2007

Squares Workshop

C

organised by the European Office and Cras Tibi, t his 8-day documentary-making workshop one year on from the large-scale anti-government demonstrations which took place there in 2006 - examined how the different public squares of Budapest are used, and what they symbolise to the people who use them.

sociological studies, interviews with locals, and even the development of an architectural plan. This only served to demonstrate the vast and interesting number of ways that the question of public squares could be approached.

In groups, they were then each allocated a specific square in Budapest - each one very different in character - to focus on for a 5-minute documentary. And despite the unusually unfortunate weather, and some initial language barriers with the locals, they remained focussed on their task, producing 8 final films (see listed below).

The broader idea of the project was also to analyse and compare the functioning of these important public spaces across Europe. The programme was intense, featuring screenings, lectures and debates alongside the filmmaking activities.

Participants were first required to create short montages ref lecting on a public square in their home country.

All of the workshop films, as well as the ones made in participant’s home countries, can already be viewed on the website www.daazo.com (More info: page 7)

The resulting films were extraordinarily diverse in approach; including experimental mood pieces,

List of Films

Board Meeting

P

resent at the most recent NISI MASA board meeting on the 8th-9 th September in Budapest, Hungary, were 7 board members and 4 European Office workers. These were the main topics up for discussion: The European Office continued to grow this year, with the arrival of several international trainees and full-time volunteers.

Future plans are to hire a 3rd permanent member of staff and to rent a second (bigger !) office space.

There will be a new community web platform for NM, to be launched online on the 1st of February 2008. It will be interactive, including personal pages, photos, films, articles, reviews and discussion forums. Like Nisimazine, it will require active participation and ideas from members.

A member organisation survey will be launched in order to give associations the chance to have their say for the future of NM, and to evaluate the state of the network. An action plan to stimulate inactive organisations is also underway.

Selection guidelines will now be prepared carefully in advance. In some countries, non-members will be asked for a participa-

tion fee in order to attend NM workshops, which will go towards funding the national association’s annual membership fee.

Future projects for 2007-08: Nisimazine Festival Edition: Torino (Nov 07), Helsinki (Jan 08) and Cannes (May 08) ; European Short Pitch (Jan 08); Ciné-Train (Sept 08); Short Script Contest 2008.

Currently in development (See Nisimazine # 1) : Dating in Europe (aka ‘Stealing Kisses’); Visions of Madrid; Turin Urban Design; A Funny Workshop.

The next board meeting will take place in December 2007 in Andé, France.

‘‘Backto

normal life, [...]

I realized that our experience [in Budapest] was strong and affected us a lot

’’

Dimitris, Greece

Moscow Square Aleksandra Marchenko, Adrian Aragones, Necdet Önder Sivimli A Rainy Tale (House of Future) Francesca Cirilli, Natalia Ivanova, Alejandro Pedregal Kossuth Anthem (Kossuth Square) Nikita Sutyrin, Hana Gelb, Emre Kayis Heroes’ Square Nikolay Ivanov, Francesca Saraullo, Vesna Ratkovic Almost Budapest (KőbányaKispest) Anne Reverseau, Eero Tiainen, Arne Kohlweyer Holy Trinity Square Vanessa Url, Alex Tirajoh, Oana Rasuceanu Duna Korzó (Danube Path) Dimitris Giouzepas, Lena Lemerhofer, Gianluca Zerial Take Away (Margaret Island) Boris Kaeski, Iulia Rugina, Laura Groeneveld

© Este’n’est 2007

Latest news Berlinale Talent Press: Call for Applications

T

he renowned Berlinale Talent Campus, which since 2003 has taken place during the annual Berlin International Film Festival, is a full-on 6 day programme of lectures, panel discussions and workshops for young filmmakers from different corners of the globe.

From the 9 th to the 14th of February 2008, a selection of young film critics and journalists will be invited to report on the films at the 58th BIFF and on the events of the Talent Campus. It will be a unique opportunity to meet 350 talented filmmakers and to experience the workings of one of the most prestigious film festivals around.

Each day participants will write interviews, reviews, reports, articles and features. They will also attend daily editorial meetings with mentors in order to discuss their work. This year guidance will be provided by the author and former International Publishing Director of Variety, Peter Cowie, and the Chief Editor of Schnitt, Oliver Baumgarten, amongst other well-known film critics.

Candidates should be under 30 years of age, fluent in English (writing and speaking), and have already published articles - in newspapers, film magazines, on websites or at universities. Applications should be accompanied by up to three original copies of articles that you have published within the last two years (if these articles are not in English, decent translations are required).

Application deadline October 15th 2007.

More information and online applications at: www.berlinale-talentcampus.de

Bourges Festival: Seeking Young «Auteurs»

T

he 11th edition of the ....International Screenwriters’ Festival (located in Bourges, France) is looking for Frenchspeaking film authors to take part in a range of workshops between the 26th and 30 th of March 2008.

At the European forum for authors of fiction and documentaries, individuals will gain invaluable feedback by presenting their film proposals in front of an audience, accompanied by their screenwriter and producer sponsors.

Of particular interest for budding young writers however is the Short script marathon, during which 25 participants have just 48 hours to write their own short film scripts on a given theme, with the help of professional tutors.

Once finished, the scripts are read by three different juries, who each give their own award. Prizes include various prestigious writing scholarships and training courses.

The award-winning scripts are also read the next day in front of the festival audience by professional actors. Application deadlines from the 2nd of November.

More information at: www.scenarioaulongcourt.com

Anim’est

O

rganised by our good friends at Este’n’est, the 2nd edition of the International Animation Film Festival takes place in Bucharest, Romania, from the 5th to the 14th October 2007.

The goal of the festival is to introduce quality animation films to the Romanian public, whilst encouraging creation and the study of the techniques of animation.

Quality animated films have in the past been hard to find in Romania, and the organisers hope that the festival can offer an opportunity for promotion of the medium.

For its diverse programming, the festival focuses on three main principles: “Art, imagination and skill”. This year the official selections include international competitions for student films, short and feature films, video clips and advertising, alongside a section specifically for Romanian entries.

There will also be an animation workshop, for those interested in discovering the techniques for themselves. Go to www.animest.ro

Cras Tibi In the spotlight A bit of obscure trivia for you: “Cras Tibi” means «the future is yours» in Latin.

Founded in 2002, it is one of the oldest organisations in NISI MASA network, and has always been made up of students from the Eötvös Lóránd University in Budapest.

Their most recent project, Budapest Squares, was a whirlwind of organisational activity – so much so that it was hard to pin them down for these profiles!

Here is a quick overview of our welcoming Hungarian hosts…

Some members...

Zoltán APRILY (25) Studies: film history and theory Often to be seen with partner in crime Dániel (see below). Not simply content to be a major organiser of the workshop, party animal Zoltán also moonlighted as a parttime DJ and tourist guide for his foreign visitors during the week. Having just recently completed his required university courses, he will now be looking to focus more on Daazo, the short film website he co-founded this year (see Q&A).

Dániel DEÁK (24) Studies: film history and theory Another leading member and the other half of the Daazo team (Dániel and Zoltán – you see?). Notoriously hard to get hold of due to his busy schedule, Daniel also works as editor of the official Hungarian online film newspaper www.magyar.film. hu alongside his studies. However, when you do manage to catch him in a rare free moment, he will be more than happy to add some more tasks to his never-ending list!

Eszter KANDÓ (23) Studies: film history and theory The “ideas person” of Cras Tibi, it was Eszter who first came up with the suggestion of a workshop based on public squares. Currently in the middle of her studies, she is unsure of what she would like to do afterwards, but for now really enjoys writing film reviews.

Kristóf MEZEI (25) Studies: philosophy One of the newer members of Cras Tibi, Kristóf proved himself to be very useful indeed for the recent workshop, taking care of the more intellectual side of matters by organising the lectures and discussions. Although his main subject is philosophy, he has a keen interest in cinema, and regularly writes film reviews.

An all-round nice guy and old-fashioned gentleman, he also acted as our historical expert on Budapest.

Júlia SZÉPHELYI (26) Studies: film sciences and scriptwriting

In order above:Zoltan and Daniel, co-founders of «Daazo»

Known simply as ‘Júli’, the oldest member (just) of Cras Tibi is a generous individual, who was always willing to offer a helping hand in all activities - and invite us into her lovely home - without hesitation.

About Daazo.com What is Daazo?

Short films have always been an important segment of cinema, a format in which filmmakers can try out their skills and new techniques or ideas they wouldn’t dare to use in a feature film. Nowadays appearing online and getting a wider audience, shorts are made not only for film schools or workshops, but for worldwide distribution. We aim to be a quality European short film centre, a meeting point for filmmakers and film-lovers, festivals and studios.

What it is that makes the site so unique?

Daazo (www.daazo.com) is not a viral video site like many others - it presents more specialised film content. We present a selection of the best European short movies from the past few years, called «Daazo Films».

This section makes our site a unique place on the Internet, where you can watch a collection of professional short films absolutely free. Usually you would have to visit film festivals, watch special television programmes or pay fees for other internet sites. We also encourage young filmmakers to upload and distribute their films on Daazo.

How does the site work?

You can upload almost any kind of converted, playable film formats, but we prefer .wmv, .mov or divx converted .avi files. The files are then turned into high quality f lash video.

With the “distribution” option, you can choose a day when the film will appear on the main page of the site.

With our easy-to-use interface you can also organise your films into folders and edit all the relevant details.

However, as a filmmaker you need to consider that uploading should be only the first step in the distribution of your films. We also recommend the use community sites and open blogs, where you can embed the player of your film.

What are your future plans for Daazo?

We want to be known across Europe as the first place on the internet where you can find short films and where your artworks can reach their audience.

Beyond that, we would like to set up a production company, to help young filmmakers taking their first steps in the business.

Portrait

Gianluca Zerial

By Jude Lister

Gianluca with Lena, working on their short documentary in Budapest... © Sept 2007

G

ianluca Zerial is an honest and articulate interviewee, keen to give detailed and precise explanations to my questions. Over the course of our meeting, I almost get the impression that my interrogations are provoking the kind of self-analysis usually reserved for the psychiatrist’s couch. And while I would like to believe this is all down to my probing journalistic capabilities, I can’t help feeling that it has more to do with my subject. * Perhaps this 26-year old Parisian (the not so Frenchsounding name comes from his Italian parents) is simply going through a ref lective period in his life. Currently in the same situation as many fellow young independent filmmakers, it seems he is struggling to find his way.

After several years of work experience on film and television sets, including as cameraman, production assistant and even an extra in a Bollywood film in India, he recently decided to concentrate on his own personal projects, but like many has since found it difficult to make his ideas a reality.

Whilst not confining himself to any particular genre or style, Gianluca explains that he is not so interested in the ‘traditional cinema circuit’, preferring the more experimental side of filmmaking. It was during his studies at Paris I (La Sorbonne) that, thanks to his lecturers, he discovered and came to love classic experimental cinema; from the painterly-like work of Brakhage to the film diaries of Mekas. Also at this time, virtual video editing software was beginning to become easily accessible, enabling him and his fellow students to try out their creative ideas with a higher level of technical quality and precision, without spending a lot of money. * A self-confessed perfectionist, he admits to suffering from a certain degree of fussiness and obsessive attention to detail. The editing process of his last project, get(t) in lilamaya took several years to complete, made in between paid work on film shoots. The 6-minute film was created entirely from images taken on his trip to India with a super-8 camera, painstakingly put

together by hand. Of the process he explains, “It was a very sensorial experience… to go looking for what was needed with a magnifying glass, right into the entrails of the film, to be physically cut and re-pasted”. The words of a true craftsman.

Tellingly perhaps, one of the directors he makes reference to during our conversation is Wong Kar Wai - a true auteur well-known for his particular methods - and the long gestation period of his films. * An essential member of NISI MASA France for some time now, Gianluca first came into contact with the network as a participant in the ‘‘Filmed Letters Workshop’’ in Le Havre, France, in March 2006. Although apparently his group had some ‘explosive debates’ during the creative process, the experience of improvising a film together was overwhelmingly positive. Actually he had already been familiar with collective artistic projects since his high school days, when for fun he used to create elaborate series of comic-books with friends (he also fondly recounts the making of a Scream-style

horror film one summer, with each character inventing their own gruesome death-scenes).

In any case, it seems that the limitations and compromises involved in collective filmmaking within a short space of time have helped to counteract certain personal artistic tendencies. * ‘Gian’ is proud to be involved in the association, particularly the ‘CinePudding’ screenings (See p. 4), which, featuring many innovative and experimental works from young directors, seems to have a philosophy close to his heart. As for his personal future projects, he has many ideas, but has yet to decide which will form the basis for his next film. It is possible that his travels in India will again provide some of the inspiration, in particular an interest in Hindu mythology.

He says for example that he is particularly keen to examine “the connection between the faith of the religious before the myth and that of the spectator before the film”. * I imagine they may take a while to appear, but I look forward very much to seeing the results…