Editor

The International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg will launch its 59th edition in November 2010 with a new offer for industry guests. The MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE will support the improvement of sales and marketing of finished film works by newcomer directors while it continues to invite selected producers interested in co-producing new, unfinished film projects as was previously the case at the MANNHEIM MEETINGS.
„A vibrant venue nourished by mutual confidence for newcomers and all those who want to produce and market intelligent films made by newcomers, - that’s what the MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE wants to be“, says festival director Dr. Michael Koetz. The first edition of the MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE will take place in the second half of the festival, from 17 to 20 November 2010.
The Festival’s aim is that films selected for the Official Programme be distributed worldwide to a maximum extent and degree. In order to achieve this, the Festival will invite selected international sales agents experienced in dealing with arthouse films made by newcomers as well as sales agents who are start-ups in this profession themselves. The festival’s previous „International Buyers Service“ will merge with this new marketplace for films. Attending sales agents will further be encouraged as possible pre-sales partners to new film projects in pre-production at MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE.
When it comes to selecting new film projects for MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE, selection will strictly focus on works by highly talented newcomers. Support will aim at directors and producers screening in the official programme of the International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg., as well as past participants. They have the possibility of presenting their next projects at the MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE.
Further, arthouse producers with an established short-film track record, starting on their first international feature co-production are also welcome.
„There are dozens of markets in Europe for the co-financing of new film projects by now – and the numbers grow each year. Suddenly, the MANNHEIM MEETINGS, which less than 10 years ago, alongside the Cinemart in Rotterdam were almost the only film project market in Europe, are forced to redefine themselves.
To us, it appears less and less reasonable to arrange project meetings which too often counterbalance a lack of attention paid to actually freely accessible information, and more and more reasonable to support an element which is more relevant: one-to-one encounters based on proper preparation, not least of which is taking full advantage of opportunities already available, starting with the Internet“, says Dr. Michael Koetz.
Given the large number of project markets and promotional opportunities the festival believes that a political strategy in Europe might develop where only a few, allegedly bigger and more important film projects and their production and sales will be promoted in the future – to the detriment of many smaller titles. However, the history of the film industry clearly shows that it is very harmful, from a long-term perspective, to disregard small yet striking and creative projects only because „turnaround figures“ diminish. The trick is to not to neglect these smaller creative efforts, on the contrary, to specifically invest in them, and thus to achieve a certain sustainability, to continuously foster artistic and film industrial talents, and to treasure them.
MANNHEIM MEETING PLACE: 17 – 20 November 2010
The 59th International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg takes place from 11 to 21 November 2010.