NEW DELHI: The World Cinema Fund (WCF) based in Germany, which is marking its 10th year this year, has backed a total of 119 projects from 41 countries: granted production funds 84 times and given distribution funds to 35 films for release in German cinemas.
In 2015, the WCF will expand its funding programme to include a special project: WCF Europe.
“The World Cinema Fund is a success story: over the years it has grown and extended its reach. And for the time being, the Federal Cultural Foundation has secured its financing of the World Cinema Fund until 2018. The terms are good and will allow us to continue our work successfully,” said German Federal Cultural Foundation artistic director Hortensia Volckers.
Alongside its funding activities, the WCF annually organises a “WCF Day” during the Berlinale. In panel discussions, film cultures and infrastructures in individual countries or regions are debated. Moreover, since 2007, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, there have been “Spotlights” with WCF-funded films and workshops in the funding regions.
In 2015 and 2016, WCF Europe will supplement the existing programme of the World Cinema Fund and back further co-productions between European producers, and directors and producers from WCF regions and countries. Applications may be submitted by European producers from MEDIA sub-programme countries and production firms in WCF Europe regions, as well as in the Ukraine, Belarus and Moldavia, that can document they have already collaborated with a European partner.
Distribution funds will be granted to films that are being released jointly by three distributors: at least one must be from Europe and one from a WCF region or country. Funding for the coming two years will total 300,000 euros.
“The WCF’s success is proof of its topicality, and commitment to world cinema and cultural diversity. We thank Hortensia Völckers and the Federal Cultural Foundation for backing us all these years. I would also like to welcome the German Federal Foreign Office on board as another important partner. Funds from the Foreign Office allow us to pursue the goal of contributing internationally to partner-based cooperation’s and co-productions. Many thanks to the Foreign Office for this,” commented Berlinale director Berlinale Dieter Kosslick.
