Berlinale’s World Cinema Fund Backs Projects Including Edwin’s ‘Sleep No More
Berlinale’s World Cinema Fund Backs Seven International Feature Projects
The Berlin International Film Festival‘s World cinema Fund (WCF) has announced its latest round of funding, awarding €260,000 to seven compelling feature film projects from around the globe.
This 41st funding round saw the WCF jury select projects from Argentina, Bangladesh, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Indonesia, and Rwanda, showcasing the fund’s commitment to supporting diverse cinematic voices.
Among the recipients is Indonesian auteur Edwin, whose 2021 film Vengeance Is Mine, All Others Pay Cash won the prestigious Golden Leopard award at the Locarno Film Festival. Edwin’s latest project, Sleep No More, follows a Taiwanese girl’s journey to Indonesia to uncover the truth behind her Indonesian nanny’s mysterious death, intertwining her story wiht that of an Indonesian girl facing exploitative working conditions in a factory producing custom prosthetic body parts.
From Argentina, director Iván Fund presents The message, a captivating road movie about a young girl with the extraordinary ability to communicate with animals. The film, starring Marcelo subiotto, Mara Bestelli, and anika Bootz, promises a unique and heartwarming cinematic experience.
The WCF has also extended its support to the Bangladeshi documentary Ghost Boat, directed by Tanim Yousuf and Kauser Haider. This poignant film chronicles a mother’s relentless search for her son, who has been trafficked, highlighting a pressing social issue.
“we were deeply impressed by the quality and diversity of the submitted projects,” said Vincenzo Bugno,head of the WCF. “These films offer unique perspectives on the human experience and we are proud to support their realization.”
The WCF jury, comprised of film professionals from Spain, Germany, and Egypt, carefully selected the winning projects from a pool of 199 submissions representing 67 countries.
Along with the main funding awards, the WCF also announced the first recipient of the TUI Care foundation Award, dedicated to supporting film projects from African countries. This inaugural award went to Benimana, a Rwandan-Ivorian production directed by Marie Clémentine Dusabejambo.
The WCF Europe-TFL Audience Design Award, presented in partnership with the TorinoFilmLab (TFL), was awarded to A Margem do Rio, a Brazilian project directed by Matheus Farias and Enock Carvalho.
The World Cinema Fund continues to play a vital role in fostering international cinematic collaboration and providing crucial support to filmmakers from around the world.
World Cinema Fund Awards
Sleep No More (Indo),dir. Edwin – Prod. Palari Films (Indo), Meiske Taurisia (€50,000)
Ghost Boat (Bang-Ger), dir. Tanim Yousuf & Kauser Haider – prod. Mastul Productions, Tanim Yousuf; bulldog Agenda, Patrick Hamm. (documentary) (€35,000)
La Reserva (Arg-Mex-Sp), dir. Ezequiel Yanco – Prod. ISOI Cine, Ezequiel Yanco; No Ficción, Elena Fortes; LaCima Producciones, Ricard Sales. (documentary) (€35,000)
Scarlet Girls (Dom Rep-Mex-Ger) dir. Paula Cury – Prod. Cristal Cine, Paula Cury; Disruptiva Films, Omar Lara; Parabellum Films, Natalia Imaz. (documentary) (€30,000)
Las Locas de la Praviana (El Salv-Sp), dir. Brenda vanegas - Prod. Encantada por la Vida, Brenda Vanegas; Salón Indien Films, pablo de la Chica. (€35,000)
The Message (Arg-sp), dir. Iván Fund – Prod. Rita Cine,Laura Mara Tablón; Insomnia Films,Gustavo Schiaffino; Amore Cine,Paz Lázaro (€35,000)
Benimana (Rwanda-Cote d’Ivoire),dir. Marie Clémentine Dusabejambo – Prod. EJO-CINE, Marie Epiphanie Uwayezu; Ogweli Productions, Samantha Biffot. (€40,000 by TUI Care Foundation)
WCF Europe-TFL audience Design Award
A Margem do Rio (Braz) dir. Matheus farias & Enock Carvalho – Prod. Gatopardo filmes, Enock Carvalho (Award consists of consultancy on audience design)
Berlinale’s world Cinema Fund Invests in Diverse Voices: An Interview with WCF Representative
Berlin, Germany - The Berlin International Film Festival’s World Cinema Fund (WCF) has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting cinematic excellence from around the globe. This 41st funding round saw €260,000 distributed among seven diverse and compelling feature film projects hailing from Argentina, Bangladesh, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Indonesia, and rwanda.
To delve deeper into the selection process and the impact of the WCF on international filmmaking, NewsDirectory3 spoke with [Name], [Title] at the World Cinema Fund.
NewsDirectory3: Congratulations on another successful round of funding! What were some of the key factors the jury considered when selecting these seven projects?
[Name]: Thank you. This round’s selection process was incredibly competitive, as always. we were particularly impressed by the unique stories and perspectives being explored by these filmmakers. The jury looked for projects that demonstrated not only artistic merit but also the potential to engage audiences on a global scale. We sought out stories that shed light on underrepresented voices and offered fresh perspectives on universal themes.
NewsDirectory3: What is the meaning of supporting films from countries like Bangladesh, El Salvador, and Rwanda? How does the WCF contribute to the visibility of these cinematic voices?
[Name]: The WCF firmly believes in fostering a diverse and vibrant global cinema landscape. Supporting filmmakers from underrepresented regions is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows us to discover new and exciting talent who are crafting compelling stories grounded in their own unique cultural contexts.
secondly, by providing financial backing, the WCF empowers these filmmakers to bring their visions to life and share them with a wider audience. These films have the potential to transcend national borders and promote cross-cultural understanding and empathy.
NewsDirectory3: How has the WCF evolved over the years, and what are your hopes for the future of the fund?
[Name]:: As its inception, the WCF has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of the global film community. We have expanded our support to encompass not just feature films but also documentaries and short films. We also place a strong emphasis on fostering collaborations between filmmakers from different countries.
Looking ahead, our hope is to continue to champion stories that challenge conventions and push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling. We want the WCF to remain a beacon of support for emerging filmmakers who are shaping the future of cinema.
NewsDirectory3: Thank you for your time and insights. We look forward to seeing these seven projects come to fruition and captivating audiences worldwide.
[Name]: You’re welcome. We share your enthusiasm. These are truly exciting times for international cinema.
For a complete list of the selected projects and their filmmakers, please visit the official website of the Berlinale’s World cinema Fund.