The Coproduction Forum is an international pitching and networking event aimed at promoting short film projects, works in progress and talents taking part in the annual edition of European Short Pitch.

The line-up of the 2023|24 edition, held in partnership with the Travelling Film Festival, includes 12 projects in development - mentored by ESP’s tutors & consultants during our annual development workshop, as well as 4 works in progress - also benefiting from tailor-made editing and distributing consulting.

In October 2023, the respective creative teams behind the selected projects in development got to work at the Development Workshop. The first WIP project was subsequently confirmed in December, selected in partnership with Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur and will be accompanied by three additional WIP projects that were chosen in January.

Programme (main activities)

Monday, 26 February
14:00 - 17:00
Pitching and Q&A Live Event
All projects and participants will be presented to the professional audience during a hybrid event, where each pitch will be followed by a moderated Q&A. The Pitching and Q&A Live Event will be live-streamed.

Tuesday, 27 February
10:30 - 18:00
1:1 meetings - A full day of networking and one-to-one meetings with the project holders and on site guests.

Thursday, 29 February, Friday, 1 March
09:30 - 12:30 & 14:00 - 18:00
1:1 meetings - A full schedule of networking and one-to-one meetings with the project holders and online guests.

Panel Discussions

Tuesday, 27 February
9:30 - 10:30 (on site)

SHORT FILMS MEETING THEIR AUDIENCE - HOW TO NAVIGATE THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT
The panel discussion aims to present the curatorial approaches and programming strategies related to short films in the context of different categories of film festivals. The conversation will cover topics such as the importance of premiere status, the impact of film festivals in gaining visibility for the filmmakers and their work, as well as the role of short films in the film festival industry and in the film industry at large, in addition to special case studies presentations related to the festivals represented by the invited speakers.

Speakers: Carla Vulpiani (Short Film Advisor - Venice Film Festival); Juliette Canon (In Charge of Short Films - Film Department - Semaine de la Critique, Cannes); Emilie Poirier (Head of Short Films - Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, Montreal); Niv Fux (Festival Director - Leiden Shorts)

Thursday, 29 February
10:00 - 11:00 (online)

FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHORT FILM MINORITY COPRODUCTION IN EUROPE

Join us for a dynamic online panel discussion dedicated to the financing opportunities for short film minority coproductions in Europe. Throughout the panel discussion, topics such as funding criteria, application processes, best practices for collaboration, and the importance of diversity in storytelling will be touched upon. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the panelists, making this event a valuable resource for filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals interested in financing short film minority co-productions in Europe.

Speakers: Céline Lanfranco (Project Manager - French MEDIA Desk Relais Culture Europe); Axel Petersén (Short Film Commissioner - Swedish Film Institute); Martina Petrovic (Head of Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Croatia); Claire Rattier-Hamilton (Creative Industries and Cinematographic Mission Manager - Région Bretagne)

Friday, 1 March
10:00 - 11:00 (online)

SHORT FILMS MEETING THEIR AUDIENCE: THE STREAMING PLATFORM EXPERIENCE

Throughout the panel discussion, we aim to open a conversation covering a wide range of topics related to the possibilities for showcasing short films in the context of  streaming platforms, as well as the role of online platforms in promoting short film content, emerging trends and opportunities in the industry, strategies for reaching diverse audiences, and the future of short film distribution.

Speakers: Céline Roustan (Senior Programmer & Industry Relations Manager - Short of the Week); Eva Krenner (Project Coordinator - This Is Short); Alessandro Raja (CEO & Co-Founder - Festival Scope/Festival Scope Pro)