Branded as the new co-production showcase “like all European markets, however hot they may be”, the ECAM forum, launched by the Madrid ECAM Cinema Faculty, revealed the first 10 projects in development and eight in post-production, to be presented to decision makers around the world between June 10th and 13th, in the Spanish capital.
Famous for its outstanding ECAM Incubator technology development program, the Madrid Film Faculty has set a high standard for its inaugural forum, which aims to broaden the reach of Spanish productions and co-productions (shorts, feature films, series) and build bridges between Spain and world business.
First example of work: the big business names on the selection committees, which reflect the ambitions of coordinator Alberto Valverde and his team, to border the ECAM Forum as an unmissable commercial event.
The more than ten upcoming films or expanding options were chosen by producers Inés Massa (Materia Cinema) and Agustina Chiarino (Bocacha Movies), by Eurimages project supervisor Sergio García de Leániz, and by Marina Maesso, screenwriter and film analyst. HBO Max script.
The eight Final Push films in post-production competing for a cash prize of €15,000 ($16,280) were chosen by Pamela Bieìnzobas, film consultant, programmer (Locarno) and critic, Eva Sangiorgi, inventive director of the Viennale, Cecilia Barrionuevo , programmer of Big Movie at Lincoln Center and head of seminars and international relations at ECAM, and James Lattimer, film critic, director and programmer.
The final lineup has not yet been finalized with additional resources, shorts and growth sequence, but Valverde is proud to highlight the report of 470 tasks presented, and the quality of the resources.
Compelling eclectic first titles spanning different genres, a mix of hot new authors from Spain, Portugal to Ecuador, should whet the appetite of international decision-makers.
For example, Galician director Lois Patiño, whose sensorial, contemplative picture “Samsara” has won her praise in international competitions from Berlin to Mexico and theatrical distribution outside Spain, will present “Ariel,” a free adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” .
Another favorite of the competition, Pablo Hernando (“Berserker”), will present the noir sci fi thriller “A Whale”, already acquired by Latido Films for international sales. Ingrid García-Jonsson (“Lovely Youth”) stars as a hired assassin with a particular energy associated with a strange creature from the outside world that makes her undetectable.
Belén Funes, born in Barcelona, made his international debut with “The Daughter of a Thief”, a new director winning the Goya Prize and chosen by Selection in 2016 as an experiment to follow, it will release its sophomore drama “The Turtles”. The story sets in motion a grieving family who leave Barcelona for a more rural life in Andalusia and try to rebuild their future, closer to their roots. Contracorriente will handle domestic distribution and worldwide sales for the film production facilities.
The theme of children trying to navigate their parents’ chaotic lives and the world of skin can also be explored by two other directors: Argentine Silvina Schnicer, in her solo debut “La Quinta” after her celebrated co-directed “Tigre”, and Portuguese/Swiss rising specialist Denise Fernandes in her debut film “Hanami”.
Valverde describes Funes, Schnicer and Fernandes as three filmmakers who “we know the industry is eager to see in their next films, films that address colonialism, disorder and diaspora”.
“We always want to see more behind-the-camera illustrations and welcome more projects written, directed and produced by women, as well as filmmakers coming from underrepresented groups, and specifically in Final Push, we hope to welcome more of them in future editions,” he added.
Discussing the developments within the general lineup, carefully assembled based on “the quality of the trajectory, the track record of the creative teams, the viability of financing the projects and the global potential”, Valverde praised “the variety of stories, styles and genres represented in the series ending of Final Push and Movies to Come.
“We have stories ranging from historical period dramas, to forays into horror and science fiction, to naturalistic family dramas, to ecological thrillers and new takes on the street cinema style,” he said. “We always hope to achieve that wide range of varied narratives and we are very pleased with that side of the choices. We really see a panorama of projects that encompass so many forms and ways of telling stories that will be an exciting part of this first edition.”
Valverde also highlighted the geographical distribution of tasks. “The ECAM forum is dedicated to supporting Spanish productions and their global reach, but we also love the fact that we have films from some very interesting international talent looking for Spanish co-production opportunities in both sections,” he said, referring to “the international films chosen in both categories that will take audiences to Venezuela, Pacific Colombia, Azores, Uruguay, Ecuador, Peru and Argentina.”
Proof of Spain’s increasing attraction as a companion or co-production site, a minimum of 11 nations are involved in the 18 options chosen so far: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Italy, Peru, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland.
The remaining options, shorts and growth sequences will be announced in the coming weeks.
The ECAM forum is supported by ECAM, the City of Madrid, Madrid Movie Workplace and Cineteca Matadero, which will host the co-production showcase.
First titles chosen for the ECAM discussion forum:
‘Movies to Come’, growing tasks:
“Casa Quemada” (Marina Velázquez Benítez, Spain)
“Los hermanos” (Espejo José María Avilés, Ecuador/Spain)
“Malpaís” (Paula Rodríguez Polanco, Colombia/France)
“Petróleo” (Álvaro Fernández Pulpeiro, Colombia/Venezuela/Spain)
“Phantom (Cristóbal Fernández Guadalupe, Spain/France)
“The forgotten ones” (Jorge Cantos, Spain)
“Memorial” (Sergi Pérez, Spain)
“Riure” (Jordi Boquet Claramunt, Spain)
“Three Days of Summer” (Álvaro López, Spain)
“Flowers for an absent mother” (Ana Puentes, Spain)
‘Final Push”, post-production tasks:
“Ariel” (Lois Patiño, Spain/Portugal)
“Bodegon with ghosts” (Enrique Buleo Spain/ Serbia)
“Stone Gods” (Iván Castiñeiras Gallego (Spain/Portugal/France)
“General States” (Mauricio Freyre Mendienta (Spain/Peru)
“Hanami” (Denise Fernandes, Switzerland/Portugal)
“La quinta” (Silvina Schnicer, Brazil/Spain/Chile)
“Los Tortuga”/”The Turles” (Belén Funes Spain/Chile)
“Una ballena”/”A Whale” (Pablo Hernando, Spain/Italy)