The Europeans are coming! European Film Promotion is featuring nine world sales companies from five European countries to EFP’s Europe! Hub at the market.
“Although audience numbers for European films in Asia have declined since the pandemic, the market continues to offer solid opportunities. While national productions in Asia are becoming increasingly important, there is still demand for fresh, high-quality and internationally recognized European films,” said Cornelia Klimkeit, who heads up film sales support at EFP.
“The physical presence of world sales companies in Asia is essential, as Asian buyers attend European festivals and markets less frequently,” said Klimkeit.
“FilMart is one of the most important markets in Asia, alongside Asian Contents & Film Market in Busan. It serves as a key industry stop between the Berlinale and preparations for the Cannes Film Festival. Some sales use their trip to FilMart as starting point for further industry events in the region, making the journey even more attractive and efficient,” she said.
A large delegation of 30 French companies will attend under the Unifrance banner, including Mediawan, Charades, Gaumont, MK2, Goodfellas, Fandango and Pathe Films.
The Italian Trade Commission and the U.K.’s Film Export are also at the market.
TrustNordisk, Filmax, the Playmaker, NFI World Sales and Picture Tree Intl. are among the shingles heading to FilMart to seek distribution in Asia for the newest European titles. Sales companies report a particularly strong demand for commercial titles such as action films, thrillers, genre films and productions featuring well-known actors. And toons continue to be an important segment.
Barcelona-based Filmax is bringing “The Hanged Woman” by Miguel Ángel Lamata, while “Tomorrow I Die” by Nikol Cibulya (Hungary) and “Kraken” by Norway’s Pål Øie is part of Denmark TrustNordisk’s slate of action films.
History-driven dramas for sale by female helmers include “Red Star Upon the Field” by Laura Laabs (Germany) from the Playmaker and “A Prayer for the Dying” by Dara van Dusen (Norway) from Anton Corp. Both features are debuts. Laabs’s drama weaves historical drama with comedy, offering a fresh perspective on how the past continues to shape our present.
Van Dusen’s “Prayer for the Dying” tells the story of Scandinavian settlers in Wisconsin in the 1870s, who are forced to make harrowing decisions in the aftermath of the Civil War and stars Johnny Flynn and John C. Reilly.
Sabine Rolinski, who oversees the Europe! Hub at FilMart, said in-person exchanges are regaining momentum.
“There is a real appetite to reconnect, and we are glad to provide opportunities for face-to-face meetings,” she said.
Jacob Wong, who heads the Hong Kong — Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) and is an advisor to the HKIFF and Berlin festivals, said European cinema is was especially important to directors from mainland China, who were reared on the auteurs of European cinema.
“When the filmmakers come to Hong Kong, they are very happy to see Europeans attending the films, coming to the project market, speaking to them, giving them advice and pointing them in the directions to secure money in Europe,” said Wong.
