EWA gives Special Mention for the screenplay “It’s Bonny by the Sea“ by Rebecca Innes

The high quality and diversity of the projects submitted for the EWA´S 2nd Female Scriptwiter´s Residency in Berlin made the decision-making process very challenging and inspiring, that´s why the jury of the European Women´s Audiovisual Network decided to give the project „It’s Bonny by the Sea“ by Rebecca Innes a special mention and a script consultancy session with the script consultant Suzanne Pradel.

Rebecca Innes
Whilst studying Media Production BA (Hons) at Northumbria University Rebecca also worked freelance within the Art Department on several short and feature films including the BAFTA-nominated ‘I Am Nasrine‘ and Gillian Wearing’s art documentary ‚Self Made‘. She then moved to London to work at the London Film Academy where she met Writer-Directors Syed Zul Tojo and Kevork Aslanyan and co-wrote feature films and pilots ‘Melaka‘ and ‘No White‘. Since then Rebecca and Syed have co-written ‘Hijabsta Ballet‘, Malaysia’s first research film, which was released theatrically in July 2017. Rebecca continues to co-write with Kevork and works on her own projects in the U.K. Rebecca is also an Associate Lecturer at Northumbria University, teaching screenwriting on the Animation BA (Hons) degree. BuchScout Agency is her agent.

Synopsis
„It’s Bonny By The Sea“ is a film about love, heartache and self-care. Polish care worker Irena arrives to the run-down coastal town of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea in Northumberland looking for breathing space from her failing marriage but instead she finds Alex, a caring and capable young man stunted by his small-town existence. Brought together through their mutual care for Alex’s nan Sally, a simple but wise old woman trapped by Alzheimer’s disease, the pair bring hope to one another and come to learn the value and purpose of pragmatic love.


Winners of EWA’s 2nd Female Scriptwriter’s Residency

“Testosterone Story – The Fragile Beauty of Masculinity”, written by Andrea Culkova, has been selected for the 2nd EWA’s scriptwriter residency programme in Berlin.

The female scriptwriter residency program of the European Women´s Audiovisual Network (EWA) is a great initiative dedicated to supporting the next generation of screenwriting talents, and helping them enter the industry by working the strategic positioning of the project with the best script possible. Its purpose is offering to one selected woman scriptwriter or director the possibility to be mentored by the script consultant Suzanne Pradel to work with her before and after Berlinale and to have the opportunity to attend the EFM at the Berlinale 2018 to make connections.

Andrea Culkova is a film director, creative artist, pedagogue and mother of three. She received a degree in art education from Prague’s Charles University and later in documentary direction from the Film Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU). Her feature film “Sugar Blues” had its international premiere at CPH:DOX in 2014 and was screened at numerous festivals and sold worldwide. The meta-art project H*Art On was made in cooperation with the National Gallery in Prague and the Dok.Incubator Workshop 2015, and premiered at Dok Leipzig 2016 – Next Masters competition. Alongside “The Brainwashing Experiment” it was included in the 2016 Camp4science program. Andrea Culkova’s background in fine arts is evident in the original style she brings to her audiovisual work and the unique interpretation she finds in each of her projects.

Synopsis: In the heart of Europe there’s a swimming pool where the water is almost completely still and the surface is just barely disturbed by the clumsy limbs of those who have been kissed by death. Testosterone’s fanatic riders have been brought here, the Kladruby Sanatorium, from all over the world to attempt the practically impossible – a return to life. To do this they must reconsider all their previous goals and accept the fact that the world will never be the same as before death’s kiss, but that even this is a triumph. Yet not everyone is able to understand this and not everyone will make it during their five-month stay in the sanatorium. After all, it’s the past with all its debts, mortgages, and unresolved relationships that mercilessly catches up with them here. Indeed, nothing tests a relationship more than the serious injury of a partner. And what about Adam and his wife, the rehabilitation nurse Štěpánka? How do they fit into all of this?

 


Deadline: Sep 15th for EWA’s 2nd Female Scriptwriter Residency in Berlin

The 2nd European Women´s Audiovisual Network (EWA) scriptwriter residency programme is a great initiative dedicated to supporting the next generation of screenwriting talents and helping them enter the industry by working the strategic positioning of the project with the best script possible. Its purpose is offering to one selected woman scriptwriter or director the possibility to be mentored by a script consultant, to work with her before Berlinale and to have the opportunity to attend the EFM at the Berlinale 2018 to make connections.

A commitee of three industry experts will select the best project among those received.

The Offer: travel costs from and to Berlin. accommodation in a private room + access to a kitchen in Berlin starting from 22 January 2018 – and ending 22 February 2018, including four working sessions with a well-known script consultant (3 in Berlin + 1 Skype session after the Berlinale) and accreditation for the Berlinale.

Suzanne Pradel is the script consultant attached to the programme.

Suzanne is an international script consultant, lecturer and bookscout. For many years, she has been working as a script expert for Eurimages and MEDIA Programme. In 2009 she founded the BUCHSCOUT AGENCY which specializes in novel-to-film adaptations as well as international script consultancy, developing sophisticated TV features and cinematic features

Find more detailed information here: http://www.ewawomen.com/en/news/apply-for-ewa-s-2nd-scriptwriter-residency-in-berlin-.html


Apply for the 2nd female scriptwriter residency in Berlin

The 2nd European Women´s Audiovisual Network (EWA) scriptwriter residency programme is a great initiative dedicated to supporting the next generation of screenwriting talents among EWA members, and helping them enter the industry by working the strategic positioning of the project with the best script possible. Its purpose is offering to one selected woman scriptwriter or director the possibility to be mentored by a script consultant, to work with her before Berlinale and to have the opportunity to attend the EFM at the Berlinale 2018 to make connections.

A commitee of three industry experts will select the best project among those received.

The Offer: travel costs from and to Berlin. accommodation in a private room + access to a kitchen in Berlin starting from 22 January 2018 – and ending 22 February 2018, including four working sessions with a well-known script consultant (3 in Berlin + 1 Skype session after the Berlinale) and accreditation for the Berlinale.

Suzanne Pradel is the script consultant attached to the programme.

Suzanne is an international script consultant, lecturer and bookscout. For many years, she has been working as a script expert for Eurimages and MEDIA Programme. In 2009 she founded the BUCHSCOUT AGENCY which specializes in novel-to-film adaptations as well as international script consultancy, developing sophisticated TV features and cinematic features

 

Find more detailed information here: http://www.ewawomen.com/en/news/apply-for-ewa-s-2nd-scriptwriter-residency-in-berlin-.html


Panel discussion: Rethinking the role of women in cultural and media professions: A European comparison

Which concrete measures are most effective to dismantle the glass-ceiling and to advance gender equality? 

On May 10, 2017, an interesting line-up of panelists presented at the Hertie School of Governance collected data on gender equality and explained which measures have been already put into practice on an European level and which still need to be realized .

For the European audiovisual sector, the European Women’s Audiovisual Network´s (EWA) recommendations for a number of actions that would allow to fill the gap between women and men were presented by Suzanne Pradel:

  • Introducing the notion of “gender of a film project”
  • Attributing additional points/incentives wherever the project is to be considered a female driven project
  • Attributing additional points/incentives when the project is directed by a women
  • Introducing a gender related data collection in the application system to national and international funds and in the reporting of fined projects (festival, training, distributed films, participation in markets).
  • Introducing a preference for projects including initiatives enhancing female driven content (festivals, promotion of works online, access to markets, film education)
  • Supporting training and other measures (mentoring, networking, etc) aimed at making women careers in the audiovisual sector sustainable
  • Introducing the support to European networks of individuals who work in the audiovisual sector in a non-profit-making capacity and having among heir goals gender equality.

Panelists:

Eva Fehringer is Deputy Head of Unit of the International and European Labour Law and Social Policy Department at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Social Affairs. She also chairs the Gender Equality Commission at the Council of Europe.

Lisa Jordan is a senior philanthropic executive with a twenty-year career focused on social justice, impact, and systemic change. She currently serves the Porticus Foundation as Senior Director for Strategy and Learning overseeing the development of programme and impact.

Suzanne Pradel is an international script consultant, creative content producer, lecturer for script development, and bookscout. In 2009, she founded the BuchScout Agency which develops sophisticated TV and cinematic features. She is a member of the European Women’s Audiovisual Network.

Els van der Plas is General Director of the Dutch National Opera & Ballet. In 1988, she founded the Gate Foundation to encourage intercultural exchange in the field of modern and contemporary visual art. She is currently a member of the Supervisory Board of Writers Unlimited in the Hague.

Moderation:

Charles Landry is an authority on the use of imagination and creativity in urban change. His concept of the Creative City focusses on how cities can create the enabling conditions for people to think and act with imagination to solve problems and develop opportunities.


May 10: Panel Rethinking the role of women in the cultural professions at the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin

Rethinking the role of women in cultural and media professions: A European comparison

Despite mainstreaming efforts by the European Union and the Council of Europe, gender inequality persists for women in all areas of the economy. In the culture and media sector, the pay and pension gaps are even worse than in other fields. There is also a significant under-representation of women among the leading positions, in boardrooms, and as recipients of awards. While there is widespread consensus that raising awareness does help to dismantle the glass ceiling, which concrete measures are most effective? What can we learn from our European neighbours? The results of this discussion will contribute to a research project currently being conducted at the Hertie School’s Centre for Cultural Policy.

Introduction:

Helmut K. Anheier is President of the Hertie School of Governance and Professor of Sociology. He is the Director of the Hertie School’s Centre for Cultural Policy and Head of the research project Women in culture and media.

Panelists:

Eva Fehringer is Deputy Head of Unit of the International and European Labour Law and Social Policy Department at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Social Affairs. She also chairs the Gender Equality Commission at the Council of Europe.

Lisa Jordan is a senior philanthropic executive with a twenty-year career focused on social justice, impact, and systemic change. She currently serves the Porticus Foundation as Senior Director for Strategy and Learning overseeing the development of programme and impact.

Suzanne Pradel is an international script consultant, creative content producer, lecturer for script development, and bookscout. In 2009, she founded the BuchScout Agency which develops sophisticated TV and cinematic features. She is a member of the European Women’s Audiovisual Network.

Els van der Plas is General Director of the Dutch National Opera & Ballet. In 1988, she founded the Gate Foundation to encourage intercultural exchange in the field of modern and contemporary visual art. She is currently a member of the Supervisory Board of Writers Unlimited in the Hague.

Moderation:

Charles Landry is an authority on the use of imagination and creativity in urban change. His concept of the Creative City focusses on how cities can create the enabling conditions for people to think and act with imagination to solve problems and develop opportunities.
In partnership with the Commission for Culture and Media in the Federal Chancellery.

https://newsletter.hertie-school.org/newsletter.php?t=4de325d4a4245713a5e945fb5f96cbdf&h=379e32740d9307d9e46109cae5b2387b&nl=90d618b828d4cc03018f9074b2b5aef2


The first Women in Film Best Pitch Award by Film Center Serbia and the European Women´s Audiovisual Network (EWA)

Belgrade Fast Forward: Women in Film Best Pitch Award
The Winner is the project „Fortnight“.

I had the honor to hand out the prize of €4000.- to Aga Woszczynska and Agnieszka Wasiak on March 4th, 2017 in Belgrade.

fotos: dusan milenkovic

 

 

 

Writers: Aga Woszczynska, Piotr Litwin
Director: Aga Woszczynska
Producer: Agnieszka Wasiak
Co-producer: Films De Force Majeure (FR),
Kinoproduzioni (IT)
Production Company: Lava Films

SYNOPSIS
Anna and Adam, young married couple from Poland, spend a fortnight in Southern Italy. At the beginning of their stay, an accident happens. A man dies in front of their eyes. They observe the tragic accident but they don’t offer help, they remain passive. Anna and Adam continue their stay in total denial. Yet, for how long can they go without remorse? Slowly, they start to lose control over their lives. Feeling of guilt, at first rejected and subconscious begins to reign over their seemingly stable relationship


March 4th: Pitching Sessions at the Fest Forward in Belgrade

The Serbian FEST Forward is dedicated to projects in development, both fiction and documentary,  in two separate sections which will take place on:

Saturday, 4th of March
10:00 – 12:00 Fest Forward – Women in Film Pitch Yugoslav Cinematheque – Big Cinema Hall
12:00 – 14:00 Fest Forward Pitch – National Selection Yugoslav Cinematheque – Big Cinema Hall

The jury for the section Women in Film will be the Serbian actress Mirjana Karanovic, the Bosnian producer Amra Baksic Camo and Suzanne Pradel.


First Female Script Writer Residency Winner at the Berlinale

The winner of the first female scriptwriter residency program of the European Women´s Audiovisual Network (EWA) is at the Berlinale market.

The EWA scriptwriter residency programme is a great initiative dedicated to supporting the female screenwriting talents among EWA members, and helping them enter the industry with the best script possible.

The winner Murielle Thierrin gets financial consulting by EWA´s director Alessia Sonaglioni, script consultancy by the script consultant Suzanne Pradel  and profits from match-meetings with producers at the European Film Market of the Berlinale.