BALKAN FUND PROCEEDINGS
The proceedings of the second Balkan Fund, a workshop for the development and promotion of scripts from the Balkans, began on Wednesday, November 24th, at the Electra Palace hotel. The Balkan Fund was instituted by the Thessaloniki Film Festival. Producers, directors and screenwriters turn in their proposals, four of which will qualify for financial assistance.
The official opening of the proceedings was given by the Director of the Festival, Michel Demopoulos, who stressed the importance of the Balkan Fund. “It’s an important event, especially this year with the ten-year anniversary of the Festival’s “Balkan Survey” section. We need an ever-increasing number of good films from the Balkans. The Festival plays an important role in the region”, said Mr. Demopoulos and mentioned the Festival’s intention to take up a more active role, encouraging and promoting Balkan films abroad.
Mr. Demopoulos expressed his hope that the EU will participate in next year’s Balkan Fund providing further assistance. The five-member jury will review twelve scripts, four of which will receive 10,000 euros each as financial assistance. The winners will be announced on Friday, November 26th, in a special event at Warehouse C. It’s worth mentioning that last year’s four winners have completed their development stage and are now in various stages of production.
