Founding Members of the International Emerging Talent Film Association (IEFTA) met this past week in Monte Carlo to discuss 2009 planning. I am writing to inform you of our deliberations.

As you know, the IEFTA has for a mission the promotion of film education in developing countries and the support of first time filmmakers internationally. Our 2007 festival in Monte Carlo was a significant first step toward the realization of this mandate. Over four days, we showcased 25 films representing 23 countries and eleven first-time feature filmmakers. Your support made possible this amazing accomplishment.

What many of you may not be aware of is that the Festival is only one of three extraordinary initiatives undertaken by the IEFTA in pursuit of its educational and developmental mission. The other two are the Global Film Expression (GFE) and the Global Film Forum (GFF).

In 2008, our festival plans were cancelled so that we could focus on the launch of the Global Film Expression (GFE) in the Federal Republic of Ethiopia. Having selected Ethiopia as our beneficiary nation at the 2007 Festival, the IEFTA hosted an international conference in Addis Ababa in June of 2008, at which we launched the GFE in partnership with the University of Addis Ababa, the government of Ethiopia, the Embassies of the USA and India and the official support of UNESCO.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of two of our advisory board members, Moira Griffin and Ragnhild Ek, delegates from over a dozen countries and universities (from Europe, North America and Africa) drafted a detailed and viable plan to offer film education in Ethiopia and develop her nascent film industry.

Of course, you are all aware of the difficulties attending arts and cultural fundraising, difficulties that have been increased by the current global economic crisis. Given our limited budget and manpower, the Board has had to make a difficult decision regarding which of its three initiatives to fully sustain.

In 2007, the IETFF event in Monaco was almost completed funded by private donors. The GFE on the other hand is a collaboration among the IEFTA, several countries and NGO’s. To date, each stakeholder has promised continued support for this program. For that reason-- and not without grave and prolonged consideration--the IEFTA has determined to commit our resources to securing the success of the GFE in Ethiopia.

In a country plagued by famine, disease and civil war, the GFE offers more than hope; it provides educational training and development assistance for a hard-currency local industry. In Ethiopia, a stable but young democracy bordered by three nations-- Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea-- with weak or failed political, social and economic institutions, the GFE can serve as a force multiplier in waging the campaign for prosperity and the growth of civil society in the Horn of Africa.

In the next few weeks, our website will change to reflect our new direction and to highlight our continuing commitments. We hope you will continue to support the IEFTA and its mission of promoting film education in developing countries. Sincerely, Max Ryerson, Marco Orsini, Noriko Bonaféde, Biljana Aleksik, Angela VanWright, Carol Davis Founding Board Member, International Emerging Talent Film Association.

Sincerely,

Max Ryerson, Marco Orsini, Noriko Bonaféde, Biljana Aleksik, Angela VanWright, Carol Davis

Founding Board Members, International Emerging Talent Film Association.

MACEDONIA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The International Emerging Talent Film Festival (Monte-Carlo) hosted a reception in Cannes last night (Tuesday 20.5) at The Century Club, to celebrate the MACEDONIAN FILM FUND as the first partner in IETFF’s Global Film Forum and to announce the first International Conference of the IETFF’s Global Film Expression, to be held this June in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The IETFF premiered last May (2007) with 25 films representing 21 countries. Monaco was bussing with talented filmmakers, celebrities, industry representatives and media from around the world.  Audiences also experienced dynamic panel discussions on the art, craft and politics of film, the launch of the BLOOD ON OUR HANDS international art initiative and the premiere of SAND AND SORROW, the Paul Freedman/George Clooney documentary on the crisis in Darfur.

The Macedonia Film Fund came to Monte Carlo to participate in the inaugural IETFF. Film panels and intensive “one on one” meetings focused on the MFF’s ability to attract foreign filmmakers to their country as well as marked Macedonian films and filmmakers abroad.  This year at Cannes, Macedonia is open for business!!!

Dejan Iliev, Chief Executive of the Macedonian Film Fund (producer) will be in Cannes to take meeting with companies and filmmakers, introducing the many benefits of shooting in Macedonia.  The locations boasts unique and beautiful natural settings and Macedonia is known as “the sunniest place in Europe.”  From top-of-the-line production facilities as well as very generous filmmaking subsidies and amazing tax benefits, Macedonia is a nation that is prepared to welcome the world’s filmmakers.

Also attending are: Darko Baseski, president of the Board, Macedonian Film Fund; Boris Damovski, member of the Film Fund Board, producer/director; Macedonian actor and advisor to the Minister of Culture Visar Viska, and Biljana Kulavkovska, Advisor to the State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture. From the IETFF will be Festival Founder and Creative Director Max Ryerson, Founding Board Member and President of the parent organization Noriko Katayanagi-Bonafede and Festival Producer Mitch Levine, president of The Film Festival Group.

The Macedonian Film Fund was established 2006 in order to provide comprehensive funding for the Macedonian film industry in its cultural and economic aspects, in addition to providing co-production funds for international productions.  Formed by the Government, the Film fund officially began working this year.  The Fund, with close cooperation and support from the Government, the Film Fund officially began working this year.  The Fund, with close cooperation and support from the Government of The Republic of Macedonia, has a strong determination to attract foreign producers to use Macedonia as a filming destination, offering them different tax incentives and beautiful locations, all within easy reach.

Dejan Iliev states that “This first year, funds are quite modes, but ther ae some serious chances it will double and I expect that this figure will grow.  If there are projects that are interesting and offer some serious potential, I can ask for more funding for a particular project directly from the Government of the Republic of Macedonia.  We are accepting proposals from any part of the world, if the script has artistic and commercial potential.  We are interested particularly in the US, Canada, Russia.  This first year we will finance six feature films with the number possible growing to nine. Our budget limits are 500K EUR per project, but exceptions are possible.”

The IETFF’s Global Film forum (GFF) speaks to provide delegates from the developing world the tools, incentives, procedures and infrastructure necessary to attract feature film production to their locales.   Produces will offer “Case studies,” and share their experiences of shooting in developing countries.  Keynotes and panels will be conducted with established entertainment industry professionals on various themes, including: Production and Safety; Financing; Professionalism; and Investment Opportunities, Financial Structures and Tax Laws.

Also attending the Cannes receptions will be Her Excellency, Mme. Tadelech Haile-Mikael, The Ambassador to France of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Beginning our first year in Ethiopia, the GLOBAL FILM EXPRESSIONS (GFE) will provide both opportunity and education to those who lack the resources for cinematic expression.  Ethiopia, ravaged by war, famine, drought and AIDS, but thirsty for education, skills and the tools to use film as a means for change, was chosen as the pilot country during the Festival in May 2007.  The IETFF is holding and International Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, involving 40 filmmakers, government officials and university leaders.  The conference – from June 20th through the 24th – will focus on developing the programs and processes to train young Ethiopian filmmakers, develop and Ethiopian production infrastructure and familiarize the local community with the elements and standards of international production.  Ambassador Haile-Mikael has been instrumental in pushing forward the program in both Africa and within Monaco.

The GFE will provide both opportunity and education to those who lack the resources for cinematic expression.  Focusing on impoverished and oppressed regions of the world, the IETFF (in collaboration with other partners and NGO’s) will dispatch filmmakers and educators to conduct hands-on outreach, including: Develop educators that can teach cinema and filmmaking to the nation’s young people; Screen films for communities that have had only limited access, if any, to cinema: Educate young people about the craft of filmmaking, with an emphasis on the practical, expressive capabilities of moving pictures and about the employment opportunities available in local film and television for those with these skills; Assist interested persons and groups in producing their own films, depicting the stories, events and ideas that inspire and inform them.  At the annual IETFF, films produced as a result of the Global Film Expression will be screened and then made available to audiences worldwide.

The mission of the International Emerging Talent Film Festival is to discover and promote emerging cinema talent from around the world to encourage dialogue between filmmakers to promote Cultural Diversity and International Understanding and to engage the art of cinema.  Central to the IETFF mandate is connecting new and emerging filmmakers with established members of the entertainment community.  At our Film Pro Meeting, industry professionals and emerging filmmakers continually engage each other throughout the Festival.  Following the event, the IETFF Mentorship Program offers festival filmmakers regular opportunities to collaborate with established industry professionals.  The next IETFF will be held in Monte-Carlo in May 2009.