European Cinema Professionals Gathering in Vilnius this Week
March 27, 2012
While the viewers are enjoying the exceptional films of the Vilnius International Film Festival, the organisers are rushing to do another job of huge importance. Today the international film industry conference "Meeting Point – Vilnius” started, during which as much as 80 film industry guests will be sharing their experiences for two days.
“I am glad that Vilnius is becoming an important meeting place for film professionals from all over Europe. This is a significant event in Lithuania, which is shining brighter on the map of film industry and strengthens its position in the international market”, says the executive director of the festival Algirdas Ramaska.
During the International Film Festivals Forum, March 27-28, at hotel’s “Crowne Plaza” conference room, prominent leaders such as the heads of the international film festivals in Sarajevo, Transylvania, Bratislava, Minsk will meet. They will share their experiences and insights on how to set up film festivals and to improve their organization, attract sponsors, discuss the legal aspects of the use of audiovisual works.
Tomorrow, on March 28th, film industry events will be complemented by the conference "Meeting Point – Vilnius”, where Thierry Baujard, one of the most prominent guests of this year, a founder of film finance consulting company “Peacefulfish” will participate. The guest will talk about the way the Media Guarantee Fund is functioning and how it is beneficial to filmmakers. Neil Calder from the “Film Finance” will help to understand the subtleties of film production insurance while the film policy strategies and the importance of the initiatives will be discussed by Katriel Score from Israel Film Fund.
The representatives of the Vilnius Film Office and the emerging Lithuanian Cinema Centre will also have news to the conference participants. The Lithuanian Ministry of Culture will present the amendment of the income tax law, which is dedicated to the promotion of film production in Lithuania. The representatives of the Ministry will join the afternoon debate in which guests from the film centres of Norway, Finland, Poland, Latvia and the Estonian Ministry of Culture will share their experiences.
“Our goal is that the Vilnius IFF would not only present the incredible selection of films to the Lithuanian cinema lovers, but could also strengthen Lithuania's position in the international film market.We are pleased that the third annual event organized by industry gets more and more attention from the professionals”, says A. Ramaska.
The International Film Festival “Kino Pavasaris” is regarded as the fastest growing film festival in Eastern Europe and it is being held in Vilnius for the 17th time. The International Film Festivals Forum has been organized to the representatives of cinema industry since 2010.
