Friday, May 14, 2010

FUNDING FOR CO-PRODUCTION PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Concerning the Development of co-production projects for feature films by filmmakers from Network member-states.


Regulations for submitting applications

1. Only co-production projects for feature films involving at least two producers from two different SEE CINEMA NETWORK member-states have the right of access to funding.

2. Deadlines for the submission of applications are announced by the state representatives.

3. The applicants’ files must be submitted to the cinema organization of the principal producer’s country of origin, marked for the attention of that country’s Network representative.

4. After selection, each national cinema organization can propose up to two projects per period to the Network General Assembly as candidates for funding.

5. The General Assembly examines candidate projects once a year (every November).

6. Up to seven projects per year are funded.

7. Funding is limited to a maximum of €10,000 per project.

Transcending Boundaries – Unifying Diversity

Cinema can play an important role in shaping both a shared European identity in relation to common references encountered around Europe, as well as the cultural diversity that typifies our different traditions and our historical backgrounds.
The SEE Cinema Network, which unites the countries of Eastern Europe, is a good example of cinema playing just such a role. The Network, an initiative of the Greek Film Center and the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, has continued to exist thanks to the support of its member states, but mainly due to the true spirit of friendship that has developed among and between its component bodies and representatives.
The Network has supported a great number of films through the funding it provides for the development of feature-length works and the production of short films. Some of these films have rewarded our efforts by winning awards and distinctions at festivals around the world.
Therefore, I believe that the SEE plays a crucial role and serves as a brilliant example of how art and culture can transcend any political or diplomatic problems that may exist between nations and strengthen intercultural relations.
The importance of our initiatives does not lie in the amount of funding we provide, but mainly in the way they encourage collaboration between professionals from our member nations who aim to share their inspirations and artistic preoccupations from the very start of the creative process.
I hope that the SEE CINEMA NETWORK will continue to blaze its important and high-quality trail for many years to come, and that we will be soon be joined along the way by fellow travelers from other countries in our region.

Elena Christodoulidou
President of the SEE Cinema Network
Senior Cultural Officer, Responsible for Cinema
Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Who we are and what we do

The South Eastern Europe CINEMA NETWORK, which is more commonly abbreviated to the SEE CINEMA NETWORK, is a well-established film institution. It was founded in the spring of 2000 on the island of Hydra, where organizations representing the national cinemas of 11 countries in South Eastern Europe had met to set it up.

The Greek Film Center undertook to provide the new network with secretarial support and staff, and to cover its operating costs.

The Network draws its funding from its member nation’s cinema organizations.

It is governed by the General Assembly of National Representatives, a three-member executive committee and its Executive Secretary.

The General Assembly meets twice a year: once in June in one of the Network’s member-states and once in November in Thessaloniki, the Network’s headquarters.

The Network seeks to develop collaboration between cinema professionals in its member states. To this end, it supports:

a) the Development of international co-productions (fiction films);

b) the Production of short films (which it part-funds).

The SEE CINEMA NETWORK also organizes events designed to promote films produced in its member states. Such events includes the presentation of a Balkan programme at various national festivals held in Network member states and the staging of a week dedicated to the national cinema of one member in a different member state.

The Network also seeks to develop collaborations with other similar regional networks, as well as with neighbouring countries in the Southern Mediterranean.