Head of IFFR Pro on ‘Collectivity as a Way Forward’ and Projects That ‘Make a Difference’: ‘People Are Conscious the World Is on Fire’

The teams working on this year’s CineMart initiatives – part of IFFR’s co-production market – are acutely aware that the world is in a state of crisis, asserts Marten Rabarts, the newly appointed head of IFFR Pro.

They had to be flawless in their artistic expression and inspire a sense of impactfulness. Often, movies focus on pressing socio-political stories, delving into topics such as authoritarianism, colonialism. At times, they also present bleak near-future scenarios depicting dystopias.

It’s clear that these directors are expressing their personal concerns about the future through their movies, as pointed out, such as in “Cape of Pleasures” by Marcelo Gomes and Cao Guimarães, and Cheryl Dunye’s “Black Is Blue.”

Or:

The directors seem to be grappling with their own worries about the future, according to the observation. Case in point are “Cape of Pleasures” by Marcelo Gomes and Cao Guimarães, and Cheryl Dunye’s “Black Is Blue.”

Or:

These filmmakers appear to be dealing with their apprehensions about the future, as noted, including “Cape of Pleasures” directed by Marcelo Gomes and Cao Guimarães, and Cheryl Dunye’s “Black Is Blue.”

All three sentences convey the same meaning but in slightly different ways.

1. “Both of these directors are unconventional. There’s a lot of apprehension within the LGBTQ+ community about what the future may hold, especially with the shift towards conservative politics in the U.S. Cheryl, who resides in California, is considered a queen of queer cinema and she’s certainly keeping an eye on how her community will fare under this new administration.”

2. “These two filmmakers are offbeat. The LGBTQ+ community is filled with concern about what the future might bring, especially given the U.S.’s shift to the right. Cheryl, a prominent figure in queer cinema who calls California home, is certainly monitoring the situation of her community under this new political climate.”

3. “These filmmakers are quite unique. The LGBTQ+ community is filled with unease about what the future might hold, particularly since the U.S. has moved to the right. Cheryl, a well-known figure in queer cinema who hails from California, is definitely keeping tabs on her community’s situation under this new political leadership.”

4. “Both these directors are non-traditional. The LGBTQ+ community is filled with worry about what the future may bring, especially considering the U.S.’s move towards conservative politics. Cheryl, a significant figure in queer cinema who resides in California, is certainly paying attention to her community’s situation under this new political direction.”

However, this year’s focus isn’t solely on quality. Quantity also plays a significant role, as CineMart has expanded its selection of films.

Currently, we have 24 projects in total, among which is the ‘immersive selection’. We’ve expanded our projects under development in the Darkroom by doubling their number. Now, we have 12 projects, with 10 being feature fiction and the remaining 2 as immersive projects. This is the maximum size we plan to reach.

Even though this is the third year in a row that we’ve had an in-person event, this year will mark the first time we’re fully revved up and running at full capacity.

He stated, ‘We’re the original pioneer, the first-of-its-kind co-production market, a model that has been imitated and duplicated globally. My goal is to restore it to its prime condition.’

Throughout the pandemic, we’ve acquired a wealth of knowledge and new skills that enable us to hit the ground running when individuals join us. The work begins promptly, but passion for a project cannot be conveyed via email. This is especially true in collaborative projects where building long-lasting relationships is crucial. These connections are forged through face-to-face interactions, and their importance remains vital.

For more than three decades, Rabarts, who was previously the leader at SeeNL and the director of the New Zealand Film Festival, had been a regular attendee at CineMart. He’s had a front-row seat to witness its advantages, as he himself stated.

It’s been present in numerous filmmakers’ careers, influencing them significantly.” or “It has played a role in the careers of numerous filmmakers, leaving its mark on them.” or “Many filmmakers have experienced it as part of their journey, and it has affected their career paths.

In simpler terms, as the popularity of unique, individually expressive art films has consistently been challenging, and with the decline of streaming platforms, traditional TV networks are experiencing a drop in income. Additionally, advertising revenue is plummeting sharply. As a result, producers must seek out more collaborators, according to him.

The film titled ‘Viêt and Nam’, which was previously presented at CineMart in 2021 and backed by the HBF, was actually produced within the Philippines. Notably, its producers Bradley Liew and Bianca Balbuena collaborated with several partners from Europe but none from Vietnam. Unfortunately, this film was prohibited for screening in Vietnam.

Collaboration is a promising direction: Cheryl’s film, a joint production between the U.S., Germany, and Greece, involves six production companies. It’s quite likely that we’ll witness an increase in co-productions from five to six different territories in the future. While each territory may contribute a smaller amount, they also offer the possibility of broader distribution.

At CineMart, they strive to cater to a worldwide audience of filmmakers and present fresh, unseen projects from the market. This aligns with their festival’s identity, as producers can anticipate being among the initial group to explore these novel creations.

According to Rabarts, people understand that if the film is of a specific genre, it’ll be an engaging, thought-provoking piece within that genre. If it’s a comedy, it’ll be witty and daring. Those seeking something conventional or overtly commercial might not seek us out. However, we must uphold our commitment to deliver.

The 42nd edition of CineMart runs from Feb. 2 – 5.

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2025-02-02 22:47