The search for a producer - SØRFOND forum 2012
Ready, set, pitch! Within 10 minutes the project must be sold. This year's SØRFOND forum has attracted big-name directors to Norway to get funding for their new films. Our writer Elin Kittelsen spoke to some of the directors.
One of them is director and Cannes winner Wang Chao. He presents his new project, Father is Ill, about a young man with a leukemia-suffering father. - This is a film that many would like to be involved in, says Mika Blusztein Ore, SØRFOND forum's project leader.
Filming starts in March next year, and Chao is currently looking for production support. He shows a few minutes of clips and tells the Norwegian producers about the film, via an interpreter. - The script is completely finished, he says. This is a movie I've wanted to do for a long time.
Chao is one of twelve selected directors and producers who got to present their projects during the pitching forum. The aim is to spark the interest of the filmmakers in the room. Having a Norwegian co-producer onboard is one of the requirements to apply for SØRFOND funding.
The fund's resources are provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are awarded to film productions in countries in need of financial assistance (DAC countries). Last year, a total of seven films received on average 76 000 euros each.
- A scheme such as SØRFOND is very important, says Ritu Sarin, whose project was granted funding under the fund's first allocation. She, together with Tenzing Sonam, is behind the film When Hari got Married, the first film to be finished with SØRFOND support. The Indian documentary had its world premiere at Films from the South this year, and was very well received by the audience.
- In our country there is no national film fund, says Florence Jaugey. She is behind the successful La Yuma, the first film to made in Nicaragua in 20 years. In Jaugey's latest project, we find out what happens when a private sex tape ends up on the internet.
There is a high standard amongst the directors represented. The twelve who participated in this year's SØRFOND forum were chosen from a total of 176 applicants. And it isn't all easy, according to Chinese director Haolun Shu, who has brought an unfinished script for the feature film The River of Cloud.
- It's a challenge to talk about a whole film in 10 minutes. I'm used to standing behind the camera, he says. - It's a bit different to have to stand in front of an audience and present the film. But lots of fun!
Here are some pictures from the forum:
The deadline to apply for funding from SØRFOND is 27th February 2013.
Read more about SØRFOND here.