German American Cultural Foundation’s Post

Unveiling Europe's Best-Kept Secret for Filmmakers: Why Romania Is Your Next Dream Location! 🌏 ✨ With its diverse landscapes—from the mystical peaks of the Carpathian Mountains to the historic charm of its castles—Romania offers a backdrop for every story. Recent productions like 'Wednesday' and 'Ghost Rider' have utilized Romania's unique settings to create visually captivating and memorable scenes that resonate with audiences worldwide. From breathtaking natural beauty to world-class production capabilities, Romania is setting a new standard in the film industry. When you choose a location for your next film, think beyond just the scenery. Consider the support structures, the local talent, and most importantly, the economic impact on your budget. Romania offers a unique combination of all these elements, making it not just a location, but a strategic partner in storytelling.

African producers, are you planning to co-produce your film or series with a European or North American partner? 🤝 If yes, you should be aware of these few questions. • Does your project involve any scene shot in a European or western country? or any European/western character? • Do you have a famous US talents (ie represented by an reknown talent agency)? • Do you have tax rebate in the country of shooting? • How much of the budget can you provide locally through government grants and/or local funding? • How secure is your legal infrastructure? • And the France specific: is the movie shot in French? Although some of them seem very basic, like recouping funding locally, this set of questions will have you rework your script, and adjust your production set up to "mold" your project for it to fit certain international criteria, just to get "the grants". But why should it be necessary? Always think about your core story, with your audience in mind, and you will be able to find the adequate financing for it. However, keep looking forthe right partners for our projects. Cinema is a work of passion, and you can find people that believe in your vision anywhere in the world! #Africa #cinema #filmproduction

African producers, are you planning to co-produce your film or series with a European or North American partner? 🤝 If yes, you should be aware of these few questions. • Does your project involve any scene shot in a European or western country? or any European/western character? • Do you have a famous US talents (ie represented by an reknown talent agency)? • Do you have tax rebate in the country of shooting? • How much of the budget can you provide locally through government grants and/or local funding? • How secure is your legal infrastructure? • And the France specific: is the movie shot in French? Although some of them seem very basic, like recouping funding locally, this set of questions will have you rework your script, and adjust your production set up to "mold" your project for it to fit certain international criteria, just to get "the grants". But why should it be necessary? Always think about your core story, with your audience in mind, and you will be able to find the adequate financing for it. However, keep looking forthe right partners for our projects. Cinema is a work of passion, and you can find people that believe in your vision anywhere in the world! #Africa #cinema #filmproduction

Unveiling Europe's Best-Kept Secret for Filmmakers: Why Romania Is Your Next Dream Location! 🌏 ✨ With its diverse landscapes—from the mystical peaks of the Carpathian Mountains to the historic charm of its castles—Romania offers a backdrop for every story. Recent productions like 'Wednesday' and 'Ghost Rider' have utilized Romania's unique settings to create visually captivating and memorable scenes that resonate with audiences worldwide. From breathtaking natural beauty to world-class production capabilities, Romania is setting a new standard in the film industry. When you choose a location for your next film, think beyond just the scenery. Consider the support structures, the local talent, and most importantly, the economic impact on your budget. Romania offers a unique combination of all these elements, making it not just a location, but a strategic partner in storytelling.

The recent Gouna Film Festival (GFF) and the MV Catherine arms shipment scandal have both ignited intense debates across Egypt and the Middle East, spotlighting Egypt’s current position amid regional turmoil. While GFF, held from October 24 to November 1, 2024, aimed to celebrate the arts and emphasize cinema’s humanitarian role, it has faced criticism for its timing amid escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon. In parallel, the MV Catherine controversy involving allegations of arms transfers has raised difficult questions about Egypt’s foreign policy and potential ties with Israel. Together, these events reveal complex cultural and political dynamics at play, testing Egypt’s standing domestically and regionally. #FilmFestival #CinemaForbad #CulturalDiplomacy #MiddleEastPolitics #ArtAndPolitics #SocialImpact #DocumentaryFilmmaking #Gaza #FilmIndustry #PoliticalAwareness #FilmCommunity #CreativeLeadership #HumanRights #CinematicStorytelling #ArabSolidarity #TransparencyInGovernment #CulturalIdentity #GlobalCinema #EthicalFilmmaking #InternationalRelations

Anyone who is interested in the truth about the war, do not regret your personal time, watch this documentary "20 Days in Mariupol"

#Russia #Egypt #Ethiopia #SouthAfrica: I have no idea what these exchanges could mean going forward, especially regarding African participation. However, I continue to keep a close watch on BRICS activity in the context of "film industry" (my focus), especially as more African countries join the intergovernmental organization. Regarding African participation, the BRICS countries, which already included South Africa (the "S" in the acronym), added Egypt and Ethiopia to their ranks as of January 2024. And more African countries want to join. But what does it all mean? 🤷🏾♂️ As I shared here last month, representatives from the BRICS nations convened to discuss joint film productions and developing national film distribution networks. While no concrete plans were announced during the plenary, these are all noteworthy developments. The BRICS Film Festival kicked off Friday, April 19, 2024, in Moscow, Russia, as part of the Moscow International Film Festival. The festival is hosted annually by a different BRICS country and features films representing its member states. Florence Masebe, a South African actor and festival jury member, said, "We get to exchange and know each other better and understand each other's preciousness and values better when we get to watch each other's stories." Ethiopian producer Yirgashewa Teshome, also a festival jury member, added, "The BRICS Film Festival will make a difference for sure among the BRICS countries." In the grand scheme for African BRIC countries, action in this context could mean pooling resources, widening access to foreign markets, pushing back against American and European entanglements, and inspiring regional cooperation, which could only bode well for the continued development of their local film industries, and spur economic growth. It also could mean absolutely nothing at all! Here's video coverage of the opening day press conference via Africa News.

Exploring Danish Culture Through Cinema 🎬 As I continue to expand my horizons and learn more about different cultures, I recently came across a gem from Denmark – the film "The Hunt" (Jagten) directed by Thomas Vinterberg. This powerful drama tells the story of a man falsely accused of a terrible crime, set in a small Danish village. The film is not only a riveting emotional journey but also a deep dive into the complexities of human relationships, trust, and society’s response to fear. Denmark has a long tradition of high-quality cinema and Vinterberg continues to be a significant figure in shaping the global film industry. Why watch it? 1. Cultural Insight: It provides a vivid portrayal of life in a close-knit Danish community. 2. Masterful Storytelling: The script and performances, especially by Mads Mikkelsen, are extraordinary. 3. Global Perspective: The themes of justice and social stigma are universal, making it relatable to anyone. As we broaden our international perspectives, engaging with films like The Hunt allows us to better understand the values, challenges, and nuances of different societies. If you’re looking for something thoughtful and gripping, I highly recommend checking it out. Have you explored any films or books from other cultures recently? #DanishCinema #GlobalCulture #LearningThroughFilm #ThomasVinterberg #TheHunt #MadsMikkelsen

Exremely proud to have contributed to the wider promotion of this wonderful short film, explaining the essence of #placemaking in a natural, human way, as it should be. Great narrative of Fred Kent and Guillermo Bernal, let's make another one! #placeman #documentary PlacemakingX Placemaking Western Balkans

🎥 Reboot @rebootefi - Meet the Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) Team! "The evolution of the Union’s action in the audiovisual sector testifies to its efforts to promote the competitiveness of European film and uphold cultural diversity. This reflects a sophisticated understanding of the Union’s role in the audiovisual field, namely one that recognizes that competitiveness and cultural diversity can be complementary and mutually enhancing rather than opposing forces." - Evangelia Psychogiopoulou ℹ️ #REBOOT project focuses on the European Film industry, aiming to connect the existing strengths, identify and overcome weaknesses and plan for future competitiveness in the fields of policy, practice and experience. 🔗 You can find further information on the project here: https://lnkd.in/dXgvgP5q #filmindustry #Europeanfilmsector #competitiveness