Jury reveals this year's selected participants for SØRFONDs Pitching Forum
Expectations are high for the projects that get to present their films at this years pitching competition after the SØRFOND supported film “Flapping in the Middle of Nowhere” won the Critics Award in Venice last weekend. A jury has now selected sixs projects out of 107 applications from different parts of the world.
SØRFOND is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the aim of supporting film productions in developing countries, which can not be realized for economic or political reasons. The fund is managed by the Norwegian Film Institute and The Films from the South Foundation.
The Films from the South Foundation organizes a pitching forum during the Films from the South Festival, 9.-19th October. The purpose is to provide main producers from developing countries with the opportunity to present their film projects to Norwegian producers. If they enter into a co-production agreement, they may apply for support for the film from SØRFOND by 27th February 2015.
The jury who selected this year's participants for the pitching forum are: Kaveh Tehrani (4 1/2), Helen Pass Reiersen (Microfilm) and Hilde Skofteland (Skofteland Film).
Projects selected are:
MONOS (Drama)
Director: Alejandro Landes
Script: Alexis Dos Santos
Country: Uruguay/ Colombia
Main producer: Mutante Cine
An original study of a group of child soldiers - with a focus on group dynamics and
hedonism from two solid directors. A variation of the Lord of the Flies, but with
child soldiers in (some) of the roles - which gives the project credibility and nerve.
WHITE SUN (Comedy Noir)
Director/Script: Deepak Raubiyar
Country: Nepal
Main producer: Aadi Production by Tsering Rhitar Sherpa
A dark comedy about life in a war-torn village in the mountains of Nepal. Directors debut Highway premiered at the 62. Berlinal and was first film from Nepal to screen at an international festival.
SAMUI SONG (Thriller)
Director/Script: Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Country: Thailand
Main producer: Raymond Phatanavirangoon
Hitchcock, Thai style. A seemingly trivial argument between a married couple
ends with murder. The director has had films screened in both Berlin and Cannes previously. Four of his films have been Thailands nominations for the Oscars.
HUNTING SEASON (Drama)
Director/Script: Natalia Garagiola
Country: Argentina
Main producer: Rei Cine
A criminal and violent young man meets his father for the very first time and is confronted with his own capacity to love and kill. A study of two men from a female
director with a distinct voice. Debutant whom has had short films in the Semaine De la Critique.
MAP OF LATIN AMERICAN DREAMS (Documentary/Roadmovie)
Director/Script: Martin Weber
Country: Argentina
Main producer: Paula Zyngierman
Documentary of a photographer who puts travel photos together to make film. Martin Weber is a renown art photographer.
TWICE UPON A TIME (Documentary)
Director/Script: Niam Hani
Country: Lebanon
Main producer: Placelessfilms
Niam (32) is searching for happy memories from her childhood in Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War, when she meets and befriends Khalil (11), a Syrian boy who fled his country and is facing trouble in his new life as a refugee.
SØRFOND Pitching Forum takes place October 15th, 2014, Filmens Hus, OSLO