Start of the 65th edition of the Berlinale

From 5 through 15 February the 65th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival will take place. The Netherlands is well represented this year with films in all the major sections of the festival (see below). Together with EYE International, the Netherlands Film Fund and the Netherlands Film Commission are present at the European Film Market (EFM) at stand 5 in the Martin Gropius Bau. There will be a meeting between the European Film Agency Directors (EFADs) and consultation with representatives of national funds and film commissions from Europe and other parts of the world. The Netherlands Film Fund is active during the Co-Production Market, the program of Bridging The Dragon and Eurimages. The Film Fund prepared in cooperation with the Filmförderungsanstalt (FFA) the signing of the co-production treaty between the Netherlands and Germany. In addition, the Fund presents in cooperation with the Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) a new initiative for a German-Dutch Children Film Co-Development Fund.

The waiting is over and from February 2015 the Dutch and German film industries will finally be joined by co-production treaty. On 7th February the official film co-production treaty for film productions between the Netherlands and Germany is signed at the Dutch Embassy in Berlin by Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Jet Bussemaker, the German Minister of Culture and Media Monika Grütters and Andreas Görgen, Head of Culture and communication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Germany.

The Netherlands Film Fund and the Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) launch on February 9th the Children Film Co-Development Fund, which supports original script development for children's film projects. The initiative is in line with the existing joint efforts to promote cooperation between Germany and the Netherlands. Where film funds generally commit their backing only at the production stage in international co-productions, the new Children Film Co-Development Fund itself specifically will encourage international cooperation in the development stage.

Netherlands Film Commissioner Bas van der Ree will be in Berlin to bang the drum for the Netherlands as a co-production partner before setting off for the AFCI Locations Show (Los Angeles) in early March. “There are a range of benefits to working with Dutch film professionals or shooting and post-producing here,” he says. “Besides a wide range of locations and a perfect (digital) infrastructure, foreign producers can, for instance, benefit from the 30% cash rebate at the Netherlands Film Fund. It’s a very simple and effective way of financing projects. We want to explain all the possibilities to foreign producers. We are keen on making things happen, so please come and visit us."

Please click here for an overview of all Dutch films with screening times at EFM

The Netherlands Film Fund is 2015 partner of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, which takes place 8-10 February. The Film Fund presents the coproduction lunch on Monday, February 9 and then takes part in the Countries-in-Focus Session. Five Dutch producers are invited to the Visitors Programme: Iris Otten (Pupkin Film), Iris Lammertsma (Witfilm), Gijs Kerbosch (100% Halal), Joram Willink (Bind Film) and Esther Rots (Rots Filmwerk). Producer Topkapi has been selected to participate in the Company Matching Programme.

The feature film project The Hero (De Held, script and direction Marjolein Beumer, based on the novel by Jessica Durlacher) from producer Millstreet Films, is part of the official project selection of the Berlinale Co-Production Market. The project has already been selected this year for the Dutch Telescoop competition.

Bridging the Dragon is an international platform that promotes cooperation between European and Chinese producers and is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund. On 10 February, in cooperation with the EFM, a panel discussion on co-production between Europe and China will take place. For more information: Bridgingthedragon.com.

Brilliant, controversial and highly idiosyncratic director Peter Greenaway is in Berlin Competition with Eisenstein in Guanajuato, produced by Submarine and Fu Works.

Sacha Polak’s second feature Zurich, a portrait of a grief-stricken woman piecing together the double life of her late husband, is selected for Berlinale Forum.

The new generation of Dutch talent arrive en masse in Berlin, with debut features from Sam de Jong, Saskia Diesing and Tallulah Schwab selected for Generation.

Actress Abby Hoes is the Dutch Shooting Star.

Click here for an overview