INDUSTRY ALERT

Representatives of the Berlin International Film Festival to visit Australia

Screen Australia today announced that Dieter Kosslick, Director of Berlinale is to visit Australia early next month.

Dieter has been responsible for the creative direction and management of Berlinale since 2001. He has received many honours and awards for his promotion of film and culture, including the Bundesverdienstkreuz (Germany’s Federal Cross of Merit) and the order of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, on nomination by the President of France.

“We are really pleased Dieter has accepted our invitation to visit Australia, this is a great opportunity to strengthen relationships between Australian filmmakers and one of the world’s top three film festivals,” said Ruth Harley, Screen Australia Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to welcoming Dieter to Australia.”

Dieter will be accompanied by Maryanne Redpath, international selector and Director of Berlinale’s Generation section, who will be in Australia to view new feature films for pre-selection for next year’s festival.

Maryanne will be viewing feature films that have been completed no earlier than 2009. Filmmakers with an eligible feature film that they would like Maryanne to see should first check the 2009 festival entry requirements on the Berlinale website. The 2009 requirements should be used as a guide until the 2010 requirements are available on the festival’s website in late September. Once these have been read, filmmakers should email Augusta Supple on augusta.supple@screenaustralia.gov.au for submission details.

Submission deadline to Screen Australia is 24 August 2009.

Berlinale will celebrate its 60th year in February 2010. Australian feature films to have been selected for the festival in recent years include Mary and Max, The Black Balloon and Son of a Lion. Berlinale also hosts the European Film Market, the first international market of the calendar year.

Please note: Documentary and short filmmakers are encouraged to submit their films directly to the Berlin International Film Festival.

The Berlin International Film Festival will run 11–21 February 2010.