CineMart has selected 39 projects out of a record number of 550 entries. The 25th edition of the first and largest co-production market for low and medium budget feature films includes projects by Abbas Kiarostami, Sophie Fiennes, Cristi Puiu, Jafar Panahi and Alex van Warmerdam. CineMart 2008 further presents new projects by former Rotterdam competition filmmakers Koen Mortier (EX DRUMMER) and Pia Marais (THE UNPOLISHED). Films launched at CineMart and now in official Rotterdam 2008 selection are GITMEK by Hüseyin Karabey, EGG by Semih Kaplanoglu and A SONG OF GOOD by Gregory King.

CineMart Manager Marit van den Elshout: “Particularly for the 25th CineMart edition, I am proud to present such a very strong and diverse projects selection. The record number of 550 project entries gave us an overview of the topical themes and developments that characterise today’s independent filmmaking. We have selected powerful and promising projects that match with current demands of producers, buyers and funding bodies but also stay true to the Rotterdam spirit.”

“The aim for the selection of the 25th anniversary of CineMart was a more focused and selective line up of projects. In order to give each project the exclusivity it deserves, we have brought down the number of projects to below 40 projects. Considering the fact that a record number of applications was received this year, this meant an even more difficult selection process.”

The CineMart Dossier with project descriptions, biographies and company profiles will be available online for CineMart Guests. Together with Arts Alliance Media, previous work of the CineMart 2008 filmmakers will be made available on their secure online industry platform www.vizumipro.com. It will be much easier for film professionales to access all information and view earlier films online in order to prepare their attendance in Rotterdam.

The CineMart Selection 2008 includes two projects by Romania’s Cristi Puiu. Both projects belong to a six-part series in development by Mandragora Movies that started with Puiu’s impressive and highly succesful THE DEATH OF MR. LAZARESCU (2005). The Selection 2008 further includes new projects from established independent filmmakers like Sophie Fiennes (PERVERT’S GUIDE TO CINEMA), Jafar Panahi (OFFSIDE) and Alex van Warmerdam (WAITER).

New Currents Award 2007-winner and Tiger Awards 2008-nominee Liew Seng Tat (FLOWER IN THE POCKET) presents his latest project at CineMart 2008. He will be joined by more filmmakers selected for past Tiger Awards Competitions: Koen Mortier (EX-DRUMMER) and Pia Marais (THE UNPOLISHED).

Also returning to Rotterdam with new projects are Julia Loktev (DAY NIGHT DAY NIGHT) and David Dusa, Prix UIP Rotterdam 2007 winner and now presenting his feature début project.

New Argentinean filmmaking talent included in the 25th CineMart Selection are Gustavo Taretto and Milagros Mumenthaler, both with first feature film projects.

In collaboration with the South-African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Binger Filmlab, CineMart 2008 will also present the project THE COMMANDMENTS by various South-African filmmakers.

The 25th CineMart includes a new edition of the Rotterdam Lab, a four day training workshop for young and emerging producers to build up their international network and their experience at an international festival and market. The Rotterdam Lab is organised in close collaboration with partner organisations.

ARTE France Cinéma awards a CineMart Project with Euro 10,000. The Prince Claus Fund Film Grant of Euro 15,000 will be given to the best CineMart Project from a developing country.

CineMart works as a highly efficient catalyst and matchmaker in the film-making process. During IFFR, CineMart invites a select group of co-producers, television buyers, sales agents, distributors and fund representatives to meet up with projects' representatives. Year-round, CineMart continues to actively support the selected film projects through alliances and partnerships with other international film festivals, training organizations and funding bodies.

CineMart is supported by the European Commission's MEDIA Program, the City Development Corporation (Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Rotterdam, OBR), the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Dutch Film Fund.

The CineMart Selection 2008 (alphabetically by project title)


1. 7 MINUTES IN HEAVEN, Omri Givon, Transfax Film Productions, Israël
2. 22ND OF MAY, Koen Mortier, CCCP, Belgium
3. AURORA / HOME SWEET HOME, Cristi Puiu, Mandragora Movies, Romania
4. AUSENCIAS, Milagros Mumenthaler, Ruda Cine / Bordu Films, Argentina / Switzerland
5. BLIND PIG WHO WANTS TO FLY, THE, Edwin, babibutafilm / Miles Films, Indonesia
6. CALLGIRL, Mikael Marcimain, Garagefilm AB, Sweden
7. CHANTS POUR GRACCHUS, Pascale Breton, Aurora Films, France
8. COPIE CONFORME, Abbas Kiarostami, MK2 Productions, France / Iran
9. DOBBEREN | VINGERSPEL | ZANDMAN, Cindy Jansen, SeriousFilm, Netherlands
10. ERRORS OF THE HUMAN BODY, Eron Sheean, ROH Film Gmbh / Axolotl Films, Germany / Australia
11. FOR LOVE WITH BEST INTENTIONS, Adrian Sitaru, Movie Partners in Motion FILM, HiFilm / 4Proof Film, France / Romania
12. FRANCE, David Dusa, Sciapode, France
13. FRANCINE, Brian Cassidy, Melanie Shatzky, Pigeon Projects, Canada / USA
14. FRICCION, Michel Lipkes, Mantarraya Producciones, Mexico
15. HUMAN RACE, Jorien van Nes, Submarine BV / KEYMAN Film, Netherlands
16. ICEMAN, Diao Yinan, Ho-Hi Pictures, China
17. IM ALTER VON ELLEN, Pia Marais, Pandora Film Produktion, Germany
18. IN WHAT CITY DOES IT LIVE?, Liew Seng Tat, Da Huang Pictures Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
19. JOUR DES ENFANTS, LE, Stéphane Vuillet, La Parti Production, Belgium
20. LAATSTE DAGEN VAN EMMA BLANK, DE, Alex van Warmerdam, Graniet Film / La Parti Production, Netherlands / Belgium
21. LAND…THE FOGGY SEA OF SUBIC, Gyeong-Tae Roh, Teddy Bear Films co., South Korea / Cambodia
22. LONELIEST PLANET, THE, Julia Loktev, FaceFilm, USA
23. LOVE IS NOT FOR SALE, Alexander Bashirov, Deboshirfilm / Cinema Nouveau / Amarton Filmide, Estland / Russia
24. MAN IN TEARS, Fran Torres, Indio Films, Spain
25. MEDIANERAS, Gustavo Taretto, Rizoma Films / Zarlek Producciones SA / Pandora Filmproduktion, Argentina, Germany
26. MILO, Berend Boorsma, Roel Boorsma, Fu Works, Netherlands
27. OFFSIDE, Igor Sterk, A.A.C. Productions, Slovenia
28. OSCURAS PRIMAVERAS, LAS, Ernesto Contreras, Agencia SHA, Mexico
29. PERE DE MES ENFANTS, LE, Mia Hansen-Løve, Les Films Pelléas, France
30. PERVERT'S GUIDE TO IDEOLOGY, THE, Sophie Fiennes, P Guide Ltd / Kasander (KTV BV), United Kingdom / Netherlands
31. POEM 1-4, Angela Schanelec, Nachmittagfilm Angela Schanelec, Germany
32. RETURN, Jafar Panahi, Jafar Panahi Productions, Iran
33. RETURN, Liza Johnson, 2.1 Films, USA
34. RHAPSODY, Gillies MacKinnon, Grand Pictures, Ireland
35. ROOM OF DREAMS, Sono Sion, PaxEterna Ltd. / atRandom Inc., Japan
36. STEPPES, LES, Vanja d’Alcantara, Need Productions / Lumière, Belgium
37. UPPERDOG, Sara Johnsen, Friland AS, Norway
38. VENICE, Miro Bilbrough, Dragonet Films / Firesign Productions, Australia / New Zealand
39. THE COMMANDMENTS, Various directors, South Africa
a. BLOOD DOWN CLAIM STREET, Norman Maake, produced by David Max Brown
b. JOSEPH, Gilli Apter, produced by Dan Jawitz
c. GAZELLE 911, Jean Meeren, Zinaid Meeran, produced by Dan Jawitz
D. MARULA TREE, Noziziwe Ginindza, produced by TOM Pictures
E. HIDDEN GARDEN, Tristan Holmes, produced by TOM Pictures
F. BELLY DANCING AND THE ART OF CATCHING STARS ON WATER, Akiedah Mohammed, produced by David Max Brown
G. GEES, Teddy Mattera, produced by Bridget Pickering
H. LUCKY LADY, Niki Newman, produced by Bridget Pickering
i. ROAD TO KAMBULA, Busi Ntintili, Khalo Matabane, produced by Cherglo Productions
J. THE OTHER SON, Matthew Brown, produced by Cherglo Productions