1. October 2021  |   

This year’s edition promises internationally impressive projects and numerous EWIP projects celebrate successes at international festivals

The fourth edition of European Work in Progress Cologne (EWIP) promises to be another success. Once again, the submitted projects impress with their number and the international participation of many production countries.

European Work in Progress Cologne is mainly supported by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, one of Europe’s leading funding houses. The industry event will take place in cooperation with Film Festival Cologne and AG Verleih, the association of German independent film distributors, from 19 – 21 October 2021, in the run-up to the 31st Film Festival Cologne. The venue will once again be the Cinenova Kino.

Around 140 film projects have been submitted in this truly challenging production year. More than 60 different countries are involved, and the thematic diversity of the projects is also impressive. Feature length films as well as documentaries and animation productions have applied to be selected for the EWIP 2021 edition. This delightful response makes it clear that European Work in Progress Cologne has managed to establish itself as an industry platform. The opportunity for promising international co-productions to network with experienced industry representatives holds great chances to strengthen the European film industry for the future.

“The fourth edition emphasizes we had the right intuition with our joint initiative for EWIP Cologne. Not only the current response regarding submissions and guests is once again impressive, but also the success of the previous EWIP projects. We are looking forward to inspiring and effective days in Cologne and to all committed participants”, says Petra Müller, CEO of Film- und Medienstiftung NRW.

Among the distinguished guests are representatives of highly renowned festivals such as Cannes Semaine de la Critique and Quinzaine de Réalisateurs, Venice International Film Festival, Berlinale, Locarno Film Festival, International Film Festival Rotterdam and Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.

The Match Factory and Media Luna as well as Films Boutique, Picture Tree International and Pluto Film from Germany, BAC Films, Charades, Diaphana, Haute Et Court, Indie Sales, Kinology, MPM Premium, Wide and Wild Bunch from France, Angel Films and Level K from Denmark, Heretic Outreach from Greece, Film Republic from United Kingdom, Intramovies and Coccinelle Film Sales from Italy, Fortissimo Films from the Netherlands, Cinemien and Imagine Film Distribution from Belgium, Frenetic Films from Switzerland, Eastwest Filmdistribution and Filmdelights from Austria, AS Fidalgo Film Distribution from Norway, Film Europe from the Czech Republic as well as Gutek Film from Poland are on the guest list among other wellexperienced and successful world sales and distribution companies in addition to professionals from the various industry fields.

Many of the 28 selected films presented at EWIP in 2020 have successfully been premiered and have achieved numerous festival successes: The drama SHELTER, produced by Magamedia (Ireland), won several awards at this year’s Galway Film Festival. Among others, it received the award ‘Best Irish First Feature’. Furthermore, SHELTER has recently been announced as the Irish Oscar nominee. FABIAN, produced by LUPA FILM and DCM Pictures (Germany), celebrated its world premiere at the Berlinale, where it was nominated for ‘Best Film’. It also won the award for ‘Best Feature Film’ at Nuremberg International Human Rights Film Festival and is considered a hot favorite for the German Film Award 2021. FABIAN has been sold by Les Films du Losange to more than 30 countries. PASSERBY, co-produced by Fresco Films (Syria) and RED BALLOON FILM (Palestine) premiered at the Venice Film Festival as Official Selection ‘Giornate degli Autori’.

The jury also proved a lucky hand in selecting the winning films for the second edition of EWIP in 2019. THE WHALER BOY, a Rock Films (Russia), Man’s Films Production (Belgium) and Orka Studio Produkcynje (Poland) co-production, won this year’s‚GdA Director’s Award‘ at Venice International Film Festival and received a ‚Special Mention‘. NIGHT OF FIRE, a Pimienta Films (Mexico) and Match Factory Productions (Germany) coproduction, has also received a ‚Special Mention‘ at Cannes Film Festival and was screened at San Sebastián International Film Festival, New York Film Festival and the 55th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The international co-production MEMORY HOUSE, produced by Bossa Nova Films (Brazil) and Maneki Films (France) was included in the Cannes Official Selection 2020 and world premiered in San Sebastian Film Festival.

This year, 24 feature films and documentaries slated for international theatrical release have been selected. Prizes for the best pitches, including post-production as well as stage and room rental services in addition to public relations at an international festival worth a total of 52,500 € will be awarded. Award sponsors are K13 Studios, MMC Studios Cologne, LAVAlabs Moving Images, ARRI Media and ZOOM Medienfabrik.

The jury is once again comprised of recognized industry representatives: Longtime Arte editor and director Alexander Bohr (Mainz) and Clémence Lavigne, co-head of sales and acquisitions for The Party Film Sales (Paris), will be supported by CEO and film distributor Daniel Melamed, New Cinema (Tel Aviv). Aranka Matits, founder of the Featurette agency (Amsterdam), as well as Fabian Massah, film producer and CEO of Endorphine Production (Berlin), complete the high-class EWIP jury of 2021.

For participation a prior registration is required. The industry event will take place in compliance with the applicable distance and hygiene rules.

Find more information here on our website: www.european-work-in-progress.eu.

For all your enquiries please do not hesitate and contact the team or the press agency.

CONTACT:

EUROPEAN WORK IN PROGRESS COLOGNE

E-Mail: contact@european-work-in-progress.eu

PRESS:

ZOOM Medienfabrik GmbH
Felix Neunzerling and Juliane Klose
Suarezstraße 62 | 14057 Berlin

E-Mail: office@zoommedienfabrik.de
Phone: +49 30 3150 6868