Culture Ministry highlights domestic film professionals’ “successful” meetings with directors, producers at Berlinale

The Ministry of Culture of Georgia on Monday said domestic film professionals had hosted “successful” working meetings with their foreign colleagues at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, which is running through this week.

The body said the delegation, led by Koba Khubunaia, the Acting Director of the Georgian National Film Centre and involving directors and producers from the country, met Valerio Caruso, the Director of Cineuropa, a portal for the promotion of European cinema.

The meeting discussed future cooperation and possibilities of promoting Georgian films and projects through Cineuropa, the body added.

The Georgian delegation also held a meeting with the representatives of European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs - a professional training, project development and networking organisation for audiovisual producers - to discuss the possibility of implementing the programme in the country for domestic producers and directors.

The Ministry said another meeting was held with Elisabeth Aalmo, the Head of International Relations at Documentary Films, who introduced the members of the Georgian delegation to the structure of thee foundation and its system of hosting workshops and creating joint productions.

A meeting was also held with Céline Leclerc, of the International Department of the French Film Centre, and Michel Plazanet, the Deputy Director of International and European Affairs of the institution. The Ministry said the officials discussed the structure of the Centre, the financing system of joint productions and procedures for recruiting its jury. 

The Georgian industry professionals will also hold “several important meetings” with producers, representatives of companies, cinemas, online portals and international film festivals during the event, the Ministry said. It added the meetings would discuss projects to attract foreign investments to the country.