The First Russian-British Co-Production and Distribution Forum
This year Russian film has come into its own again, reaching an unprecedented level of success, winning major prizes across the board at international film festivals. Building on this success, the 5th Russian Film Festival, with the support of the Russian Cinema Fund, held the first Russian-British Co-Production and Distribution Forum. The aim of this day was to explore opportunities of collaboration and partnership between leading film industry figures of both countries.
Taking place at BFI Southbank on 11 November, Russia’s foremost film producers and directors, including Sergei Selyanov, Anton Melnik, Alexei Popogrebsky (winner of the award for Best Film at the 54th BFI London Film Festival, 2010), Natalia Ivanova and Vitaly Mansky, presented their new projects to key UK film industry members for future co-production. On the British side, producers Chris Curling (Zephyr Films), Godfrey Blakely (Blueberry Hill Productions), Gaby Dellal (Stray Dog), Suzie Halewood (Gas Station 8), Annalise Davis (Wilder Films) pitched their own projects, hoping to secure collaboration with Russian partners. These projects were preceded by a presentation by Elena Romanova, the Head of the International Department of the Russian Cinema Fund, on the opportunities for international collaboration offered by the Cinema Fund’s extensive co-production programme, while a series of presentations on the opportunities for financial support in Britain was given by representatives from the BFI.
A roundtable on distribution, featuring UK and Russian sales agents and distributers, looked at the issue of distributing Russian films in the UK. At the present time, very few Russian films make it into distribution in UK, however with the enthusiastic support of the Russian Cinema Fund, it is hoped this can be improved.
Lizzie Francke, Senior Production and Development Executive at the BFI Film Fund said:
“The forum provided a great opportunity for producers to come together and understand the funding structures and opportunities of each country, in the cultural context of the Russian Film Festival and the BFI's KINO: Russian Film Pioneers project. It is exciting to think that such an event might foster some future creative collaborations which British, Russian - international cinema can benefit from”
Svetlana Adjoubei, Director of Academia Rossica said:
“We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm on both sides for this project. With some 50 participants attending, it’s been wonderful to see so many contacts made and friendships formed. It’s been a very productive day and I hope we will see the fruits of this initiative in the future.”
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Elena Romanova, Head of the International Department of the Russian Cinema Fund, talks to UK producers on the possibilities of co-production in Russia and the financial support available | |
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Participants of the Russian-British Co-Production and Distribution Forum enjoy networking time in the Drawing Room at the BFI | |
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Press Conference of the Russian-British Co-Production and Distribution Forum. From Right to Left: Alexei Popogrebsky, Director ; Raisa Fomina, Sales Agent - Intercinema ; Sergei Selyanov, Producer - STB Film Company ; Elena Romanova, Russian Cinema Fund ; Svetlana Adjoubei, Director - Academia Rossica ; Chris Curling, Producer - Zephyr Films ; Rhidian Davis, Curator - BFI |
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Russian and British participants listen to presentations of projects seeking co-production partners | |
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Alexei Popogrebsky speaks at the roundtable on distribution | |
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Elena Romanova, Head of the International Department at the Russian Cinema Fund speaks at the Press Conference of the Russian-British Co-Production and Distribution Forum | |
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Alexei Popogrebsky, director of the hit film How I Ended this Summer, enjoys drinks with producer Natalia Ivanova and director Vera Glagoleva, whose film One War was Russia's 2010 nomination for the Oscars | |
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Peter La Terriere of Universal Pictures talks to Sergei Selyanov and Danil Goroshko of the CTB Film Company | |
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James Rann, translator, enjoys some Russian Standard Platinum Vodka at the closing drinks reception | |
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Rhidian Davis, Curator of KINO: Russian Film Pioneers Season at the BFI assists with the drinks kindly provided by Russian Standard Vodka | |
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Elena Romanova, Head of the International Department at the Russian Cinema Fund, talks with a UK participant | |
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A worthy reward after a long and productive day thanks to Russian Standard Vodka! | |
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