13:00 – 13:30
Einlass, Networking & Kaffee
Englische Titel weisen auf englischsprachige Redner*innen und Vorträge hin.
13:30 – 13:40 | Begrüßung
eröffnung der Explorer Konferenz
Erwin M. Schmidt
Geschäftsführer, Produzentenverband
Details
Erwin M. Schmidt ist seit dem Frühjahr 2019 Geschäftsführer des Produzentenverbands, nach beruflichen Stationen im Weltvertrieb, als Produzent und auf internationalen Filmfestivals. Des weiteren kuratiert und moderiert er Konferenzprogramme, richetet Workshops aus, organisiert das monatliche “FilmTech Meetup Berlin”, spricht auf Festivals und Konferenzen zu Themen rund um Technologie und Innovation und interessiert sich leidenschaftlich für neue narrative Formate und innovative Vertriebswege für Filme.
13:40 – 14:00 | Keynote
Fortschritt bedeutet Veränderung – wie Digitalisierung alles auf den Kopf stellt
Tijen Onaran
Unternehmerin, Moderatorin, Speakerin
Details
Tijen Onaran ist Unternehmerin, Moderatorin und Speakerin. Mit ihrer Initiative “Global Digital Women” engagiert sie sich für die Vernetzung und Sichtbarkeit von Frauen in der Digitalbranche, mit “FemaleOneZero” betreibt sie eine internationale Content-Plattform. Sie publiziert regelmäßig als Mitglied des Handelsblatt Expertenrats, ihr Podcast “How to Hack” in Kooperation mit Business Punk erscheint wöchentlich. Sie wurde in das Faculty Board für „Digital Leadership“ der Management School St. Gallen berufen, vom Magazin Capital zu Deutschlands “Top 40 unter 40” gewählt sowie von XING zum “Top Publisher 2018” ausgerufen. In diesem Jahr erschien ihr erstes Buch “Die Netzwerkbibel” im Verlag Springer Gabler.
14:00 – 14:20 | Impuls
Filmförderung im digitalen zeitalter
Helge Albers
Geschäftsführer, Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
Details
Filmförderung im digitalen Zeitalter bedeutet Filmförderung in Zeiten tiefgreifender kultureller Veränderungen. Helge gibt einen Einblick in seine Überlegungen dazu und reflektiert darüber, wie sich die öffentlich-rechtlichen Förderstrukturen der Filmbranche nicht nur an die Veränderungen anpassen sondern sich neu definieren und den Wandel in der Branche proaktiv gestalten können.
Helge Albers ist seit April 2019 Geschäftsführer der Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein. Seine Erfahrung als international tätiger Produzent (inkl. eines Deutschen Filmpreises für den besten Dokumentarfilm, des erfolgreichsten Dokumentarfilms des Jahres, einer Oscar-Nominierung als Co-Produzent, einer Lola für den besten Dokumentarfilm u.a.), seine Tätigkeit als Geschäftsführer des Produzentenverbands, die Arbeit als Gremiumsmitglied (u.a. bei der FFA, dem World Cinema Fund und der Deutschen Filmakademie) haben ihn letztlich zur nördlichsten Filmförderung Deutschlands gebracht.
14:20 – 14:40 | Speed Insights N° 1
Production, Innovation & TechnologY
Raymond van der Kaaij
Gründer und Produzent, Revolver Amsterdam
Details
In seinen "Speed Insights" wird Raymond reflektieren, wie sich seine Arbeit als Film- und Medienproduzent in den letzten fünf Jahren verändert hat, wie sie sich in den nächsten fünf Jahren seiner Meinung nach verändern wird und wie er plant damit umzugehen.
Raymond van der Kaaij hat über ein Jahrzehnt Erfahrung in Entwicklung, Finanzierung, Produktion und dem Vertrieb von audiovisuellen Medien. Er ist der Gründer von “Revolver Amsterdam”, einem Content-Studio und Kreativlabor. Das vielfältige Portfolio an erfolgreichen Projekten deckt die gesamte Bandbreite zwischen Kunst und Unterhaltung ab und umfasst Spielfilme, Dokumentarfilme, VR, digitale Medien, Werbung und Branded Content.
14:40 – 15:00 | Präsentation
script analysis using artificial intelligence
Nadira Azermai
Gründerin, ScriptBook (Antwerpen)
Details
Greenlighten oder nicht greenlighten? ScriptBook bietet der Filmindustrie mit künstlicher Intelligenz arbeitende Entscheidungshilfen. Nadira wird die Funktionsweise von ScriptBook erläutern und zeigen, wie Entscheidungsträger*innen von diesem bahnbrechenden Drehbuchanalyse- und Box-Office-Prognosesystem im Auswahlprozess von hoffentlich kommerziell und künstlerisch erfolgreichen Filmen unterstützt werden können.
Nadira Azermai ist die Gründerin von ScriptBook, einem in Antwerpen ansässigen Technologieunternehmen. ScriptBook entstand als Nadira ihre Masterarbeit über die Verwendung künstlicher Intelligenz verfasste, um Story-Parameter in prädiktiven Modellen zu quantifizieren. Dies ermöglicht es, Film- und Fernsehprojekte objektiv zu bewerten und finanzielle Bruchlandungen zu vermeiden.
15:00 – 15:30 | Publikumsgespräch
Altersvorsorge für Produzent*innen neu gedacht
Iris Gebing
Leitung Marketing und Kommunikation der Pensionskasse Rundfunk VVaG
Florian Koerner von Gustorf
Filmproduzent, Regisseur
Details
Altersvorsorge? Geschenkt! Gemeinsam werden Iris und Florian die zwei Seiten des Modells Pensionskasse Rundfunk (PKR) beleuchten: Altersvorsorge VON und FÜR Produzent*innen – je nach Produktionsart mit einem Zuschuss der öffentlich-rechtlichen Sender. Im Dialog soll eine Vision entwickelt werden, wie das Modell auch in Zukunft – gerade auch vor dem Hintergrund einer sich verändernden Produktionslandschaft – anschlussfähig bleibt.
Iris Gebing leitet seit 2014 die Abteilung „Marketing und Kommunikation“ bei der Pensionskasse Rundfunk in Frankfurt. Zuvor arbeitete sie viele Jahre als Beraterin in der Medienbranche - unter anderem für die Bewegtbildagentur Atkon (heute Fischer-Appelt). Fokus ihrer Arbeit bei der PKR ist es, für das Thema Altersvorsorge zu sensibilisieren und der PKR-Vorsorge eine breitere Bekanntheit in Film, Funk und Fernsehen zu verschaffen.
Florian Koerner von Gustorf hat als Produzent seit der Gründung seiner Produktionsfirma Schramm Film im Jahr 1990 (zusammen mit seinem Partner Michael Weber) 33 Kinospielfilme produziert. Ebenfalls 1990 gründet er gemeinsam mit Max Müller die Band MUTTER, in der er seither Schlagzeug spielt. 2019 gibt er sein Debut als Regisseur mit dem Spielfilm Was Gewesen Wäre, dessen Premiere auf dem Filmfest München stattfindet.
15:30 – 16:00
Kaffeepause
16:00 – 16:20 | Speed Insights N° 2
Reinvenint packaging, financing and sales
Rikke Ennis
Gründerin und CEO, REinvent Studios (Copenhagen) — live video
Details
In ihren "Speed Insights" wird Rikke reflektieren, wie sich ihre Arbeit im Bereich Development, Packaging, Finanzierung und Weltvertrieb in den letzten fünf Jahren verändert hat, wie sie sich in den nächsten fünf Jahren ihrer Meinung nach verändern wird und wie sie plant damit umzugehen.
Rikke Ennis ist Gründerin und CEO von REinvent Studios, einem skandinavischen Mini-Studio, das auf Development, Packaging, Finanzierung und Weltvertrieb von Filmen für den globalen Markt spezialisiert ist. REinvent Studios ist ein Accelerator für große Talente und Ideen und hat eine Leidenschaft für TV Serien, Spielfilme und Scripted Content. Von 2008 bis 2018 war Rikke CEO von TrustNordisk, dem wichtigsten Weltvertrieb in Skandinavien und Teil der Geschäftsführung von Zentropa. 2012 gründete sie Zentropa China.
16:20 – 16:40 | Speed Insights N° 3
Relevance in a New Reality
Johanna Koljonen
Medienanalystin, Autorin, Kritikerin (Stockholm) — live video
Details
Johanna wird die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse des “Nostradamus Report 2019” des Göteborg Film Festival vorstellen. Der Report, der die Veränderungen in der Film- und Medienbranche dokumentiert und analysiert und Zukunftsprognosen für die kommenden 3-5 Jahren erstellt, fußt auf aufwendigen Recherchen und Interviews mit Branchenexpert*innen. Im Fokus der Ausgabe 2019 steht die ungewisse Zukunft der öffentlichen Finanzierung, die großen Umwälzungen auf dem Streaming-Markt, die Rolle des Kinos in einer veränderten Wertschöpfungskette, mögliche Entwicklungen für Virtual Reality und die Notwendigkeit einer Debatte über Technologie.
Johanna Koljonen ist Medienanalystin, Autorin, Rundfunksprecherin und Gründungspartnerin der in Stockholm ansässigen Participation Design Agency. Sie ist die Analystin des “Nostradamus Report” und hält international Vorträge zu den Erkenntnissen des Reports, u.a. zu Themen wie Experience Design und Nordic Larp. Sie erhielt 2011 den schwedischen “Grand Journalism Award” und ist Vorstandsmitglied des Schwedischen Filminstituts.
17:00 – 17:20 | Case Study
Auteur-driven storytelling with world-class visual effects
Peter Hjorth
VFX Spezialist (Copenhagen)
Details
Komplexe visuelle Effekte sind mittlerweile auch für Arthousefilme mit geringen Budgets erschwinglich geworden. Der rasante Aufstieg der digitalen Techniken in den letzten Jahren führt zu einer zunehmenden Beteiligung von VFX-Experten an der Drehbuchentwicklung und ermöglichte es Filmemachern, sich in neue Bereiche des filmischen Erzählens vorzuwagen. Peter gibt einen Einblick in seine visionäre Arbeit, untersucht den Paradigmenwechsel in Bezug auf VFX und erläutert warum er als VFX-Supervisor umso besser arbeitet, je weniger Zeit er mit der Postproduktion verbringt.
Peter Hjorth ist ein VFX-Spezialist und langjähriger Mitarbeiter von Lars von Trier. Als VFX-Supervisor hat er u.a. die bahnbrechenden visuellen Effekte für "Dancer in the Dark" (2000), "Dogville" (2003) "Manderlay" (2005), "Antichrist" (2009), "Melancholia" (2011), "Nymphomaniac" (2013) und "The House That Jack Built" (2018) verantwortet. 2018 wurde er mit dem Europäischen Filmpreis für die besten visuellen Effekte für Ali Abbasis Un Certain Regard Gewinner "Border" ausgezeichnet.
17:20 – 17:40 | Case Study
Herausforderungen einer Grünen Produktion:
Erfahrungswerte der Lago Fernsehen / Sky-Produktion “Hausen”
Tobias Wolf
Green Production Coordinator, Lago Fernsehen
Details
Lago Fernsehen und Sky Deutschland haben sich bei der aktuellen Serienproduktion “Hausen” dem Thema Nachhaltigkeit verpflichtet. Tobias berichtet von Anforderungen, die Produktionsfirmen von Auftraggeberseite im Rahmen einer Grünen Produktion erwarten können, präsentiert Herausforderungen und Chancen bei der Umsetzung grüner Maßnahmen und teilt Erfahrungswerte aus der Praxis.
Tobias Wolf betreut als Green Production Coordinator bei Lago Fernsehen das Projekt “Hausen” und verantwortet alle „grünen“ Aspekte der Produktion aktiv vor Ort. Während seines Studiums der Betriebswirtschaftslehre in Mannheim sammelte er zuvor Erfahrungen bei TV- und Konzertproduktionen und beschäftigt sich seit langem intensiv mit dem Thema Nachhaltigkeit.
17:40 – 18:00
Kaffeepause
18:00 – 18:20 | Impuls
Terms of Trade als Treiber von Innovation und Vielfalt
Christoph Fey
Rechtsanwalt für Urheber- und Medienrecht, Kanzlei Unverzagt von Have
Details
Die Geschichte der „Terms of Trade“ reicht weit zurück: 1970 die „Fin-Syn Rules“ in den USA, seit 2003 die „Codes of Practice“ in Großbritannien – und schließlich hier in Deutschland 2009 erste „ARD Eckpunkte“ und 2010 erste „ZDF Rahmenbedingungen“. Seit jeher rufen Produzenten in ihren Verhandlungen mit Sendern nach vorgegebenen „Terms of Trade“. Aber was sollen solche „Terms of Trade“ überhaupt noch bringen? Die einstmals so übermächtigen Sender sind in einen Verdrängungswettbewerb geraten. Weltumspannende Streamer – allen voran Netflix und Amazon und demnächst auch Disney und Apple – drängen mit hohem Investitionskapital auf den Markt. Damit stehen auch die Produzenten auf einmal vor ganz anderen Fragen: Werden sie nicht nur mit ihren einheimischen Sendern, sondern auch mit diesen weltweiten Streamern neue „Terms of Trade“ verhandeln können? Und warum sollten diese sich überhaupt darauf einlassen?
Als Rechtsanwalt für Urheber- und Medienrecht berät Christoph Fey Unternehmen und Kreative in allen Bereichen der Entwicklung, Finanzierung, Herstellung und Auswertung von Filmproduktionen und Programmformaten und begleitet seine Mandanten bei allen urheberrechtlichen, lizenzrechtlichen und medienrechtlichen Fragestellungen. Darüber hinaus führt er Mediationsverfahren zur Streitschlichtung durch und berät zur außergerichtlichen Schlichtung von Streitfällen in der Medienwirtschaft.
18:20 – 19:00 | Panel
Sind Streamingdienste und Pay TV die neue Avantgarde des Filmemachens?
Details
Für radikale filmische Erzählungen mit ambivalenten Figuren und ungewöhnlichen Settings steht bislang das (Arthouse-) Kino, das sich nicht an vorgegebenen Programmschemata und Slots orientieren muss. Im linearen Fernsehen überwiegen nach dem Motto more of the same zumeist durchformatierte Programme. Seit einigen Jahren jedoch ist zu beobachten, dass Streamingdienste und Pay TV mit Themen abseits des Mainstreams, Geschichten über Randgruppen, dem Bruch gängiger Serienklischees und Experimentierfreude große Erfolge feiern – während das lineare Fernsehen zunehmend seine Relevanz und das Kino seine Zuschauer verliert. Macht gerade die Umkehrung des linearen Fernsehens den Erfolg von Streaming und Pay TV aus? Leben hier radikale Erzählformen wieder auf, weil diese im linearen Fernsehen und Kino keinen Platz (mehr) haben? Sind Streaming und Pay TV der globale Taktgeber für filmisches Erzählen? Und was bedeutet diese Avantgarde für die Rolle und das Selbstverständnis von Produzenten*innen und Kreativen?
Dr. Lisa Blumenberg
Produzentin, Letterbox Filmproduktion (u.a. “Bad Banks”)
Details
Dr. Lisa Blumenberg ist Produzentin und Mitglied der Geschäftsleitung der zu Studio Hamburg Production Group gehörenden Letterbox Filmproduktion. Ihre bei Kritik wie Publikum gleichermaßen erfolgreichen Fernsehfilmproduktionen erhielten u.a. den VFF TV Produzenten Preis, den Grimme Preis, den Deutschen Comedypreis und den Bayerischen Fernsehpreis. Sie ist Initiatorin und federführende Produzentin der deutsch-luxemburgischen Serie „Bad Banks“ (ZDF/ARTE). Die Serie wurde mit zahlreichen Preisen ausgezeichnet und in über 30 Länder verkauft, aktuell ist die zweite Staffel in Produktion.
Marcus Ammon
Senior Vice President Original Production, Sky
Details
Marcus Ammon ist seit 2009 bei Sky Deutschland im Bereich Content tätig und verantwortet seit 2018 den Bereich “Original Production”. Fiktionale Eigenproduktionen wie “Babylon Berlin”, “Das Boot”, “Der Pass” oder “8 Tage” werden unter Ammons Führung entwickelt und produziert. Daneben verantwortet er Unterhaltungsformate wie “Masterchef” und “Quatsch Comedy Club”. Zuvor war Ammon bei Sky für den Auf- und Ausbau der Film- und Seriensender verantwortlich. Mit über 20 Jahren Berufserfahrung blickt Ammon auf eine lange Karriere im deutschen Film- und Fernsehgeschäft zurück.
Moderation: Tijen Onaran
19:00 – 22:00
Empfang zum Abschluss der EXPLORER KOnferenz
12:00 – 13:00
CHECK-IN & Coffee / lunch
A lunch bag is included in the Konferenz ticket.
Stage 1
13:00 – 13:05
Welcome address
Opening of THE Explorer Konferenz
Erwin M. Schmidt
Managing Director | Produzentenverband
Helge Albers
CEO | MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
Details
Erwin M. Schmidt is the managing director of Produzentenverband / German Producers Associaton.
Helge Albers is the Managing Director of MOIN Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein Film Fund since spring 2019..
13:05 – 13:35
Opening conversation
DIVERSITY, RESILIENCE and sustainability (of Ecosystems)
Bero Bayer
CEO | Netherland Film Fund
Anna Hellge
Communications Specialist | United Nations Environment Programme
Details
As of March 2020, Bero is the CEO of the Netherlands Film Fund. From 2015 to early 2020, he was the General and Artistic Director of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). Before he joined IFFR, he served a three-year term as a Film Consultant at the Netherlands Film Fund (2013-2015). Prior to this, Bero worked as an independent producer. Through his company Augustus Film (created in 2000) he has produced a number of award winning films, like "Rana’s Wedding" (2020), which premiered in Cannes in the Semaine de la Critique, and the first Palestinian Oscar nominated feature film, "Paradise Now" (2005), which premiered in the Berlinale Competition and went on to win the Golden Kalf, the Golden Globe and was nominated as Best foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards.
Anna Hellge is a Communications Specialist with the United Nations Environment Programme and based in Nairobi. Together with the TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) Team she strives to make nature’s values visible. Anna has previous experience as Communications Consultant for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as well as the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Her passion lies in storytelling and she has worked as a Freelance Reporter for various German and international publications, with a focus on human resilience and solutions, instead of problems.
13:35 – 14:00
Study presentation
PUBLIC FILM FINANCE AT A CROSSROADs - IDEOLOGY VS. REALITY
Tomas Eskilsson
Head of Strategy & Public Policy | Film i Väst
Details
Film i Väst, Scandinavia’s major regional film fund and one of the bigger regional film funds in Europe, has conducted in 2020 and 2021, together with Nostradamus/Gothenburg Film Festival and Cine Regio (the European network of regional film funds) a study focused on the challenges that public film funding is currently facing. The study Public Film Finance at A Crossroad - Ideology vs Reality is based on interviews made with 600+ key professionals in Europe representing all sectors (production, distributors, international sales, cinemas, broadcasters, streaming services, international film festivals, and public funds). The study follows the assumption that the ecosystem for production, dissemination and screening of films is undergoing a paradigm shift – a rapid evolutionary change that fundamentally affects the power dynamics in the film industry and the broader conditions as we have come to know them. At the same time, public funding systems today operate in a dramatically different, partly outdated landscape, one that in the near future risks becoming even more foreign to principles, priorities and financing systems. The accelerated rate of change in the wider world during the pandemic emphasizes the importance of rethinking the public funding system. Tomas Eskilsson of Film i Väst will present the most important findings of the study and shed a speculative light on the future of the entire ecosystem, with a special focus on public funding and Arthouse films.
Tomas is Head of Strategy & Film Policy at Film i Väst since 2017. After working as a teacher and researcher, he started Film i Väst in 1992 and was CEO until 2016. In this time, Tomas was involved in the co-production of around 600 feature films, documentaries, and TV dramas, plus 400 short films. The list of films includes "Dancer in the Dark" (Lars von Trier), "Melancholia" (Lars von Trier), "In A Better World" (Susanne Bier), "The Hunt" (Thomas Vinterberg), "A man called Ove" (Hannes Holm), "Fucking Åmål" (Lukas Moodysson), "A Royal Affair" (Nicolai Arcel), "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" (Niels Arden Oplev), "The Square" (Ruben Östlund) and most recently, four time EFA-award and Oscar winner "Another Round" (Thomas Vinterberg).
14:00 – 14:25
Presentation
PRODUCING WITH STREAMERS
Alexandra Lebret
Founder and Producer | Mare Nostrum Productions; Managing Director | European Producers Club
Details
Paris-based European Producers Club (EPC), an association of 130 influential independent film and TV drama producers from all over Europe, has issued earlier this year a Code of Fair Practices for streaming services when commissioning content from independent producers. In the light of a growing dominance of non-EU streamer in the European audiovisual landscape, it is obvious that a thriving environment for the independent audiovisual industry requires strong regulatory frameworks (like the implementation of the investment obligation from the AVMS-Directive) and sustainable contractual practices (for which the Code of Fair Practices establishes the basic parameters). Alexandra Lebret of the European Producers Club will present and discuss the Code of Fair Practices and explore the impact it has had since it was published earlier this year.
Alexandra is the Managing Director of the European Producers Club since 2002 and has transformed the association into the European lobby power-house, think tank, and network it is today. The EPC gathers more than 150 independent production companies from 33 European Countries and Canada. Alexandra is also the Founder and Managing Director of Mare Nostrum Productions and Halley Production, two Paris-based production companies which have coproduced 10 films in the last 5 years. In 2013 she was decorated Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for her work and dedication in favor of the European cinema. She is a member of the European Film Academy, the French Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques and the Acadèmia del Cinema Català.
14:25 – 14:45
Coffee Break
Stage 1
Stage 2
14:45 – 15:10
Presentation
LEAN PRODUCTION (AS IN LEAN STARTUP)
Stephen Robert Morse
Managing Director | Lone Wolf Studios and Observatory
Details
Lean Startup is a methodology that aims to shorten product development cycles and to rapidly discover if a proposed business model is viable. This is achieved by adopting a combination of hypothesis-driven experimentation, iterative product releases, and validated learning. How can this strategy, which is a fundamental ingredient of modern business innovation, be applied to the films industry? How do the rapid feedback cycles practiced by streaming services in their hunt for the next big story and project, resonate with this practice from the start-up world? In his presentation, Emmy-nominated filmmaker Stephen Robert Morse will share with the audience how he uses lean production processes to drastically lessen the amount of time and money it takes to bring high end films to market and how he uses efficient systems that enable costs to be kept down while production value remains high.
Stephen is a two-time Emmy nominated filmmaker and the Managing Director of London-based Lone Wolf Studios and Observatory, bringing lean production methodologies to the film industry. He loves combining creativity and business and has now worked on a dozen successful film projects. The first major film he conceived and produced was "Amanda Know", a Netflix Original, that earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination. Previously, he co-founded the business talent marketplace "Skillbridge", that was successfully sold in 2016. Stephen conceptualizes and launches documentaries and films, problem solves on big and small scales, creates brand awareness, and operates and manages productions in the most efficient ways. He holds a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of Oxford.
14:45 – 15:10
Case study
DIGITAL FILM DISTRIBUTION MADE EASY
Henriette Ahrens
CEO | notsold
Ole Hellwig
CEO | notsold
Details
notsold has been responsible for the most successful German online release in 2020 and has set new benchmarks for digital film distribution. Ole Hellwig and Henriette Ahrens, the founders of notsold, will share insights from two of their online releases ("100,000 - Everything I Never Wanted" and "Caught in the Net") and explore how this experience brought them to developing a platform solution for third parties and an additional business model for their company. Their next generation white label VOD solution, currently in development and available in 2022, will enable filmmakers, producers, and distributers alike to successfully release films digitally. Ole and Henriette will talk about their big plans for the future and the potential of digital film distribution beyond currently available possibilities.
notsold was founded by two producers, Ole and Henriette, as a distribution company in early 2020 and has since then become a filmtech company as well. The goal of notsold is to offer individual and exciting digital distribution approaches for each and every film. „Our mission is to connect films with large audiences, because we believe that films are made to be seen."
15:10 – 15:35
Conversation
European regulatory projects for dummies
Maja Cappello
Head of Dept. for Legal Information | European Audiovisual Observatory
Alexandra Lebret
Founder and Producer | Mare Nostrum Productions; Managing Director | European Producers Club
Details
The regulatory frameworks designed in Brussels either enter into effect and apply directly or go a detour though national implementation by the member states of the EU - either way, they have a very tangible impact on the reality of citizens in general and in this particular aspect on the reality of independent film producers. Maja Cappello (Head of the Department for Legal Information of the European Audiovisual Observatory) and Alexandra Lebret (Managing Director of the European Producers Club) will explore in a conversation the scope of current European regulatory projects and their impact on independent producers. They will shed a light on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Geo-Blocking Regulation, and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive.
Maja is the Head of the Department for Legal Information of the European Audiovisual Observatory. In previous position she was the Head of the Digital Rights Unit of the Media Services Directorate of the Italian regulator AGCOM and Vice President of EPRA (European Platform of Regulatory Authorities). Italian-Norwegian mother tongue she regularly contributes to international conferences and committees and participates as expert in European Union and Council of Europe cooperation projects. She holds an LLM in EU law and a PhD in European social law and has been lecturing in Media law at University level (Bachelor, Master and PhD) since 2001.
Alexandra is the Managing Director of the European Producers Club (EPC) since 2002 and has transformed the association into the European lobby power-house, think tank, and network it is today. The EPC gathers more than 150 independent production companies from 33 European Countries and Canada. Alexandra is also the Founder and Managing Director of Mare Nostrum Productions and Halley Production, two Paris-based production companies which have coproduced 10 films in the last 5 years. In 2013 she was decorated Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government for her work and dedication in favor of the European cinema. She is a member of the European Film Academy, the French Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques and the Acadèmia del Cinema Català.
15:10 – 15:35
Talk
producing content for digital distribution channels
Sarah Kübler
CEO | AlwaysOn Production
Nina Peters
CEO | AlwaysOn Production
Details
Beyond cinema, streaming and TV there is a whole universe of fictional and non-fictional content specifically produced for digital distribution channels (not to be confused as VOD). Two members of the New Producers Network will explore this vast universe and shed a light on some major differences between producing content for social media and video platforms on one hand and for cinema, streaming and TV on the other: data driven storytelling, integrated production and distribution, audience targeting, A/B testing, real-time feedback, the relationship between creators and audiences, monetization models … The volume of content produced for digital distribution channels is skyrocketing and there is a growing need for standardization of workflows, business relationships and agreements. What can these two very different universes learn from each other?
Sarah has been designing online video and social media content for television stations and brands since 2010. In doing so, she learned: You have to be fast and efficient in social networks. Videos emotionalise more than any other medium. That is why moving images are the most important medium for Sarah, whether on YouTube, in Instagram stories or in clips for TikTok. For the founder and managing director of the social media agency HitchOn, AlwaysOn is the logical further development to think and, above all, live optimally networked with strong partners: conception, production and distribution.
Nina studied theater, film and television studies, German literature and art history in Cologne and Rome. After many years in TV sales and various positions abroad, including at BBC Worldwide in London, Nina moved to the Studio Hamburg Production Group in 2015. There, together with colleagues from the group, she developed projects and strategies for the digital age, from web series to smart TV apps - enthusiastic about new ways, financing and the diverse possibilities of telling stories.
15:35 – 15:50
coffee Break
Stage 1
Stage 2
15:50 – 16:15
Case study
MARKET ANALYSIS. AI USAGE & METADATA ANALYTICs
Andrea Giannone
CEO | filmarkethub
Rémi Tereszkiewicz
CEO | betaseries
Thierry Baujard
CEO | peacfulfish
Details
Authors and producers have a growing need to better assess their projects when pitching to commissioners. With "Market Analysis", Filmarket Hub offers a software-based solution to analyze scripts and produce insights about their DNA, market target and potential, as well as their most preferable financing model. The service relies on Artificial Intelligence and a benchmark based on 25.000 TV series. The solution is accessible in a few clicks (SaaS offer) for an affordable pricing for independent producers who expand their activities into international TV series. Andrea Giannone of Barcelona-based Filmarket Hub (an online marketplace for curated films and series in development), Rémi Tereszkiewicz of Paris-based Betaseries (a leading TV series recommendation media and analytics platform) and Thierry Baujard of Berlin-based peacefulfish (a financing consultancy in the media space) will demonstrate this new solution. The service delivers powerful insights on stories to bring them to screen and is supported by Creative Europe.
Andrea is a Spain-based entrepreneur. With a decade of experience in film & TV development and technology, she created the Filmarket Hub platform four years ago. The online marketplace for curated films and series in development matches talent and unproduced projects with leading companies in the industry. It's a platform that aims to have a significant social impact in the film industry. Andrea is passionate about creating level playing fields between industry professionals to leverage the power of technology and take better ownership of their work and talent.
Rémi is an expert of OTT services and TV series marketing. Having served since 1994 as VP or SVP in sales and marketing positions for various companies such as Warner Brothers, Lagardère Studios, Netgem or Eurosport, he led the creation and launching of numerous TV services and xVOD offers. He is currently CEO of Betaseries, a media platform running recommendation services for a community of 5 million monthly TV series fans and analysing TV series & OTT usages for the media industry.
Thierry has been involved in the financing of the Creative Industries for more than 20 years. He is the CEO of Media Deals, a pan European private investment network with a focus on Audiovisual, Gaming, Music and FashionTech. Through peacefulfish, now the advisory department of Media Deals, he has been working on many film financing project across Europe and has been advising many producers and public and financial institutions on funding strategies for film , TV series and immersive projects.
15:50 – 16:15
Case study
Virtual PRODUCTION FOR A SCI-FI THRILLER
Raymond van der Kaaij
Executive Producer | Revolver Amsterdam
Details
Virtual Production enables filmmaker to tell stories in unprecedented ways. It combines live action and computer graphics in real time and dissolves the traditional workflow of pre-production, production and post-production. This radically different production philosophy is a real game changer, not just for high budget productions. Producer Raymond van der Kaaij of Amsterdam-based Revolver will give exclusive insights into the production story of their upcoming Sci-Fi feature film "The Occupant". The project has received an Epic MegaGrant from Epic Games which will be used to accelerate the development of groundbreaking filmmaking technologies with Unreal Engine in the real-time graphics and virtual production space.
Raymond has over a decade of experience in the development, financing, production, and distribution of audiovisual media. He is the founder of Revolver Amsterdam, a content studio and creative laboratory. The company’s diverse portfolio of successful projects covers the entire spectrum between art, entertainment, branded content and digital. Raymond has produced award winning feature films and documentaries that were shown on festivals worldwide. His production house has a global reach.
16:15 – 16:55
Conversation
DIVERSIFICATION AS BUSINESS STRATEGY
Marleen Slot
CEO | Viking Film
Maximilian Leo
CEO | Augenschein Filmproduktion
This session is brought to you by
ACE Producers
Details
Companies diversify their business activities for a range of reasons: to expand into new markets, to achieve greater profitability, to minimize the risk of an industry downturn, to complement an existing product portfolio … In this session, two film producers who have diversified their initial business model, Marleen Slot of Amsterdam-based Viking Film and Maximilian Leo of Cologne-based augenschein Filmproduktion, will share insights into their diversification strategy, their drive, the challenges they encountered, the mistakes they made, the success of the move, how much of a structured business plan they followed, how they reflect on their decisions in hindsight …
Marleen has created Viking Film in 2011 and has produced high-quality films for both the national and international market. Her focus is on arthouse, animation and family films. Previously she worked as a producer at Lemming Film (NL). She is an alumnus of EAVE, ACE, Producer on the Move, and Inside Pictures. From 2016 until 2020 she has been chair of the Netherlands Producers Association. Together with director Mascha Halberstad, Marleen opened the Holy Motion Studio in Arnhem in 2020. The studio is specialized in stopmotion animation and is currently finishing the shooting of their first feature animation film, "Oink’s Revenge".
Maximilian is CEO and producer of augenschein Filmproduktion, which he founded in 2008 together with his partner Jonas Katzenstein. They focus on director-driven movies with a global appeal, together they have produced more than 25 feature-length films. augenschein has earned a solid reputation as go-to producers for international English-language productions. In 2021 they have launched augenschein Sales, an in-house worldwide sales and financing arm. The new division will focus on financing the company’s production slate through access to equity, market pre-sales and film funds in order to retain creative and financial control over their projects.
16:15 – 16:55
Dialogue seminar
PUBLIC FUNDING AT A CROSSROADS
Tomas Eskilsson
Head of Strategy & Public Policy | Film i Väst
Malika Rabahallah
Head of international Coproduction Funding | MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
Details
Film i Väst, Scandinavia’s major regional film fund and one of the bigger regional film funds in Europe, has conducted in 2020 and 2021, together with Nostradamus/Gothenburg Film Festival and Cine Regio (the European network of regional film funds) a study focused on the challenges that public film funding is currently facing. The study Public Film Finance at A Crossroad - Ideology vs Reality is based on interviews made with 600+ key professionals in Europe representing all sectors (production, distributors, international sales, cinemas, broadcasters, streaming services, international film festival and public funds). The study follows the assumption that the ecosystem for production, dissemination and screening of films is undergoing a paradigm shift – a rapid evolutionary change that fundamentally affects the power dynamics in the film industry and the broader conditions as we have come to know them. At the same time, public funding systems today operate in a dramatically different, partly outdated landscape, one that in the near future risks becoming even more foreign to principles, priorities and financing systems. The accelerated rate of change in the wider world during the pandemic emphasizes the importance of rethinking the public funding system. Tomas Eskilsson of Film i Väst and Malika Rabahallah of MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein will discuss the most important findings of the study with the participants of this session.
Tomas is Head of Strategy & Film Policy at Film i Väst since 2017. After working as a teacher and researcher, he started Film i Väst in 1992 and was CEO until 2016. In this time, Tomas was involved in the co-production of around 600 feature films, documentaries and TV dramas, plus 400 short films. The list of films includes Dancer in the Dark (Lars von Trier), Melancholia (Lars von Trier), In A Better World (Susanne Bier), The Hunt (Thomas Vinterberg), A man called Ove (Hannes Holm), Fucking Åmål (Lukas Moodysson), A Royal Affair (Nicolai Arcel), Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Niels Arden Oplev), Their Square (Ruben Östlund) and most recently four time EFA-award and Oscar winner Another Round (Thomas Vinterberg).
Malika Rabahallah is head of funding of the MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg-Schleswig-Holstein, for which she has been working since 2011. Growing up in the banlieues of Paris, she studied business administration. After working in Costa Rica, Cologne and Boston, she initially produced documentaries at HMR Produktion in Cologne. She completed the European Producers training Atelier Masterclass (FEMIS) and was responsible for documentary film projects for cinema and TV as producer at zero one (Berlin) for seven years. Malika Rabahallah is a member of the European Film Academy and the EAVE Producers Network.
16:55 – 17:15
coffee Break
Stage 1
17:15 – 17:50
Presentation
THE DIGITAL TRANSformation OF PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTERS
Dr. Florian Kumb
Senior Vice President Programming | ZDF
Details
Public Service Broadcasters are undergoing a fundamental digital transformation and face gigantic challenges and opportunities. In the age of a rapidly growing on-demand media consumption, they strive to acquire a renewed legitimacy, to act as innovators and trusted brands at the same time, to cater to new and younger audiences, to digitize their processes and organizations… In this presentation, Dr. Florian Kumb (SVP Programming at ZDF) will explore how ZDF is proactively shaping and designing the digital transformation and the impact this process has on the content, commissioning, target audiences, and distribution channels of its program.
Dr. Florian Kumb has been working for ZDF in various functions since 2007- From 2018 to 2020 he was Managing Editor for the Program Directorate, where he was responsible for program strategy. Since March 2020 he is SVP Programming. The division includes media research, international program monitoring, program IT, program management, production planning, broadcast management and the planning department for ZDF’s main channel and the coordination for ZDF’s multichannel portfolio. Florian Kumb is a regular lecturer at film schools and universities. He is a member of the supervisory board of the joint industry committee AGF Videoforschung, a member of the supervisory board of the production company Nadcon Film and a member of the advisory board of the Erich Pommer Institute in Potsdam.
17:50 – 18:10
Presentation
MEGAMERGERS
Christoph Fey
Founding Partner | VON HAVE FEY Rechtsanwälte
Details
We’re living in an era of major consolidation in the media industry, with the landscape being reshaped by an ongoing trend of groundbreaking mergers, acquisitions and new alliances. Berlin based entertainment lawyer Christoph Fey will explore the effect of these tectonic shifts on a large and small scale and how they impact the future of film studios, streaming services and independent producers.
Christoph Fey is an entertainment lawyer at Von Have Fey and recognized internationally for his work in the business of film and television. Alongside being a lawyer, he runs Fred Film, an independent agency packaging finance for big budget drama series. Christoph is a founding partner of the Entertainment master Class, a non-for-profit, peer-to-peer executive education program, launched in 2005 as the first “Format Academy” worldwide. He has written widely on copyright law and the business of television, most recently the book Trading TV Formats for the European Broadcasting Union.
18:10 – 18:50
Closing Conversation
QUO VADIS ARTHOUSE (CINEMA)?
Louise Vesth
Producer | Zentropa
Ingo Fliess
Producer | if … productions
This session is brought to you
by the Creative Europe Desks Hamburg and Berlin-Brandenburg
Details
Arthouse films and cinemas have seen turbulent times in recent years. Most films have difficulties to perform well and to recoup their financial investments and the movie-going experience offered by most cinemas more often than not looses the battle with the convenience of the streaming experience. As of yet there is no end to this trend, which the pandemic has tremendously increased. In the closing session of the Explorer Konferenz, producers Louise Vesth of Copenhagen based Zentropa and Ingo Fliess of Munich based if … Productions will explore their personal vision of the future of Arthouse films and cinemas and discuss with the audience means and ways to reshape the production, distribution and experience of films.
Producer Louise Vesth (b. 1973) has worked as a producer at Zentropa since 2001 and is a member of the company’s board. She holds a BA in economics. International film productions have always had Louise Vesth's great interest, both in terms of funding and distribution. She manages to combine the commercial with the artistic and is keen to work with a younger generation of directors. Louise Vesth has had long term collaborations with directors like Christian E. Christiansen, Mikkel Nørgaard, Nikolaj Arcel, and Lars Von Trier. She produced Nikolaj Arcel's A Royal Affair (2012), which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. She has also produced the highly successful adaptations of Jussi Adler Olsen's Department Q, The Keeper of Lost Causes, The Absent One, A Conspiracy of Faith and The Purity of Vengeance. She has been Lars Von Trier’s regular producer since Melancholia and was at the Festival de Cannes 2018 with The House that Jack Built. Lately she has produced A Taste of Hunger by Mr. Boe and is currently working on the third season of The Kingdom by Lars Von Trier.
Ingo Fliess is a former journalist, author of non-fiction books, script agent and managing director of Verlag der Autoren. He founded if… Productions in München in 2007. The company initially focusses on documentary films, among the highly awarded films are How to Make a Book With Steidl (Gereon Wetzel and Jörg Adolph, 2010; Goldene Taube in Leipzig) and El Bulli - Cooking in Progress (Gereon Wetzel, 2011; sold to more than 20 territories). A Godsend (Oliver Haffner, 2015; Bayr. Filmpreis, Deutscher Schauspielpreis, Produzentenpreis München) ist a first success in fiction. Since then Ingo produces fiction and non-fiction, predominantly for cinema. Lately he produced I was, I am, I will be (Ilker Çatak, 2019; Deutscher Filmpreis in Bronze) and the directorial debut of Katharina Marie Schubert, The Girl with the Golden Hands which will be released in theatres later this year. Ingo Fliess ist a former fellow of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, a member of the German and the European Film Academies and a member of the German Producers Association.
19:00
End of Explorer Konferenz 2021
12:00 – 13:00
CHECK-IN & Coffee / lunch
A lunch bag is not included in the ticket fee.
Stage 1
13:00
Opening of THE Explorer Konferenz
Erwin M. Schmidt
Managing Director | Produzentenverband
Helge Albers
CEO | MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
Albert Wiederspiel
Festival Director | Filmfest Hamburg
Transformation of Systems
Christiane Dorothea Varga
Futorologist
Details
Much like our world order and society at large, the film industry is constantly transforming. However, currently this seems to be more the case than ever. In her opening keynote, Vienna based futurologist Christiane Varga will dissect the mechanisms of transformation and highlight how systems can navigate this process. Transformation does not necessarily need to end in turmoil, disruption and crises. Ideally it leads to a reconfiguration and rearrangement of the individual particles that form a system. Given the particular context of the conference, Varga will also explore the transformation of the systems known as ‘public broadcasting’ and ‘public film funding’ and will describe how each of us can contribute to the transformation of these systems.
The Future of (International) Film Financing
Mia Bays
Director | British Film Institute
Britta Strampe
Producer and Co-Founder | Bandenfilm
Helge Albers
CEO | MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
Anna Różalska
Co-Founder and producer | Match&Spark
Helena Danielsson
Producer | Viaplay Studios
Details
(International) film financing has always been a dynamic process that is constantly adapting to changing circumstances and conditions. The current post-pandemic situation and the ongoing market disruption means that this has become the case more than ever. In the opening session of Explorer Konferenz #3, veteran and emerging producers as well as heads of film funds, share their personal views on the future of (international) film financing and explore which financing models and sources might play a major role in the coming years.
Failing Forward
or
How and When to Pull the Plug
Helena Danielsson
Producer | Viaplay Studios
This session is brought to you by EAVE
Details
Everyone loves talking about their success stories and achievements. But what about the darker sides of our careers? This session will focus on our failures and mistakes, and the value they can bring. Reflecting on her long career as an independent producer, Helena Danielsson of Viaplay Studios (Malmö) will explore the ‘Failing Forward’ approach to show how we can learn from failures and mistakes and share her experience of pulling the plug on a project much too late.
14:25 – 14:50
Coffee Break
Stage 1
How to Go From Podcast to Screen
Jon Handschin
Media Entrepreneur, Co-Founder | Studio Bummens
Manuel Bickenbach
Producer and Co-Founder | Frisbeefilms
Details
The podcast world has exploded within the last few years. It has not only become its own solid industry, but has also become a source of inspiration and field of activity for many audiovisual storytellers. Jon Handschin of podcast Studio Bummens (Berlin) and Manuel Bickenbach of independent production company Frisbeefilms (Berlin) will explore the podcast industry at large. They will deep dive into their current true crime co-production and talk about the differences and similarities of storytelling in an audio-only format versus a film/series.
Vera: A Modular System to Draft, Negotiate and Close Contracts
Sebastian Bergau
Managing Director | Vera Contracts
Quirin Stiegler
Founder and CEO | New Digitals
Details
Drafting contracts for all parties involved in a film production can be immensely challenging. Complex and individualized contracts have to be negotiated and closed with a large number of team members, actors, artists and companies, most often under time pressure. Katrin Wukojewic of Constantin Film (Munich) will share her experience using Vera, a cloud-based legal tech platform that streamlines the entire contractual process by allowing production contracts to be assembled in a modular way. The platform has been in development in-house at Constantin Film since 2017 for internal use and is now being launched onto the market. Developer Quirin Stiegler of New Digitals and Sebastian Bergau from Constantin Film will share their perspective.
Stage 2
How Synthetic Production Impacts Storytelling at Large
Timor Kardum
Co-Founder, Managing Director and Chief Creative Technologist | MAGIG
Details
While virtual production is becoming increasingly common, more breakthrough technologies are just around the corner. Synthetic characters, AI-based VFX, Voice Cloning, GenerativeAIs and so much more could revolutionize how we produce. Timor Kardum of design and technology company MAGIG (Berlin) explores the convergence of the current mega-trends in filmmaking and storytelling into what he coined ‘Synthetic Production’ and how it impacts storytelling at large.
Yamdu: A Platform as Communication Hub in Content Production
Jan Diepers
Managing Director | Studio Hamburg Serienwerft
Deborah Tolkien
Production Coordinator | Hager Moss Film
Florian Reimann
Founder and CEO | Yamdu
Details
We all know the hassle of managing, planning, and scheduling the production of content. Among the main challenges are sharing information, communication and collaboration, most of which still happens through endless and inefficient email loops. Jan Diepers of Studio Hamburg Serienwerft and Deborah Tolkien of Hager Moss Film (Munich) share their experience using Yamdu, a platform that helps creators manage their projects efficiently by providing one central hub for all their production needs. Florian Reimann of Yamdu itself will accompany their exploration.
15:50 – 16:10
coffee Break
Stage 1
The Power of Metadata – what does it mean for the film business?
Peter Effenberg
CEO | transfermedia production services and jay
Irmela Wrogemann
CMO | transfermedia production services and jay
Details
Metadata has been the talk of the town for some years now. Now, thanks to recent developments in tech, it could finally become a game-changer for the film industry as well. How will this impact film producers?
In their talk, Peter Effenberg and Irmela Wrogemann will discuss how producers can benefit from these promises and actively shape the shift towards data-driven film production. As the CEO and CMO of transfermedia production services (Potsdam), they will present their newly launched tech solution jay, which allows users to access metadata from the various stages of film production and use it for distribution or the creation of in-stream experiences. They will also explore how access to metadata could unlock new business models for broadcasters, enable the monetisation of production data, automated workflows, audience interaction and in-stream shopping. The goal is to shed light on many of these questions and explore the opportunities and challenges around metadata for producers.
Diversification as Business Strategy - Talent Representation
Anna Różalska
Co-Founder and producer | Match&Spark
Naima Abed
Co-CEO and Founder | Paradise City
This session is brought to you by
EAVE
Details
Whether to expand to new markets, increase profitability, minimize the risk of an industry downturn or simply to complement an existing product portfolio, companies diversify their business activities for a range of reasons. In this session, Anna Różalska of the talent agency Match & Spark (Warsaw) and Naima Abed of production company Paradise City (London) will share insights into their diversification strategy, challenges, successes, failures, business strategy and especially their overall perspectives on talent representation. They will explore what it means for arthouse and auteur filmmakers to be represented and how this impacts talent development and producing.
Stage 2
Details
In a follow-up session to their talk at Explorer Konferenz #2, Ole Hellwig and Henriette Ahrens of the online distribution company notsold (Hamburg) and Andy Green of AI company Chara.AI (Edinburgh/Lisbon) will give an exclusive insight into their approach on building an intersectional data model. They will also talk about their joint endeavor Data Agent.AI, a data-driven company that is building solutions for all sections of the film industry: development, distribution and discovery. They will discuss current algorithms, the need for diverse storytellers, the existing supply-demand gap, why Netflix is losing so many subscribers and why intersectionality in combination with artificial intelligence might be the solution to these problems.
Agile Workflows in Writers’ Rooms
Juliana Lima Dehne
Screenwriter and Creative Producer
Lars Gaede
Senior consultant | Metaplan
Richard Kropf
Screenwriter
This session is brought to you by Showrunner Society
Details
Agile project management is an iterative approach for planning and delivering a project by breaking it down into small sections and tasks. Writers Rooms today use their own semi-standardized methods to meet the demands of high quality, fast creative turnover and tight schedules. In this session, author and producer Juliana Lima Dehne, author Richard Kropf, and innovation consultant Lars Gaede will dissect the creative process of writers rooms from an organizational perspective and explore concepts and tools to manage the creative workflow efficiently.
17:10 – 17:30
coffee Break
Stage 1
Publikum: How AI and Anthropology can support Project Development and Audience Building
Niels Alberg
Partner and Co-Founder | Publikum
Cornelia Boysen
Producer | Maipo Film
Sol Bondy
Producer | One Two Films
This session is brought to you
by Creative Europe Desk Hamburg
Details
In most cases, decisions to develop and greenlight film and TV projects are made based on past experience, assumptions and gut feelings. Using hard data in these processes is still eyed rather suspiciously by creatives and independent producers. Cornelia Boysen of Maipo Film (Oslo) and Sol Bondy of One Two Films (Berlin) will share their experience in working with Publikum (Copenhagen). This new service makes data more creative for the film industry by combining AI-analysis and anthropological insights in the early stage of script development. It helps filmmakers get more out of their financial and artistic investments by exploring how their stories might trigger feelings in a future audience with the precision of big data and the depth of human science. Niels Alberg from Publikum will complement their exploration.
Economic Review of Independent Film
Neil Peplow
Director of International Affairs | British Film Institute
Saralisa Volm
Producer | POISON
Details
The British Film Institute has recently commissioned and published the Economic Review of Independent Film in order to better understand the sustainability of this vital artform at a time of great change. In conversation with producer Saralisa Volm of POISON (Berlin), Neil Peplow of the BFI (London) will present the most important findings of the report as well as the recommendations for policy intervention which could be implemented to reverse the negative trends identified.
Automated reporting Tool for producers
Maria Tânjală
Co-Founder | FilmChain
Details
The recent amendment to the German Copyright Act (Urhebergesetz) provides a proactive reporting by producers to copyright holders about the revenues generated by a film. The Produzentenverband has commissioned London based fintech FilmChain with the development of a platform for automated reporting. Maria Tânjală of FilmChain will briefly introduce this platform in the making.
Was public service broadcasting a mistake?
Christoph Fey
Entertainment Layer and Founding Partner | VON HAVE FEY Rechtsanwälte
Details
Inspired by the conversation with Werner Herzog at the New York Public Library in 2007 ‘Was the Twentieth Century a Mistake?’, Berlin based entertainment lawyer Christoph Fey will follow up on his insightful, entertaining and provocative talks from Explorer Konferenz #1 & #2 by exploring whether public service broadcasting was a mistake. Spoiler alert: it was not. But looking at the current state of things, there is certainly a lot of room for improvement.
19:00
End of Explorer Konferenz 2022
Special Screening
OCT 7, 2022 / 9:30
Special Screening OCT 7, 2022 / 9:30
Triangle of Sadness
R: Ruben Östlund 2022
for Explorer Konferenz Ticket holders
@Metropolis Kino, Kleine Theaterstraße 10
10:00 – 11:00
CHECK-IN & NETWORKING
11:00
Stage 1
Opening of THE Explorer Konferenz: Futures of Media Consumption
Erwin M. Schmidt
Moderator & Co-Curator | Produzentenverband
Helge Albers
CEO | MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
Albert Wiederspiel
Festival Director | Filmfest Hamburg
Saralisa Volm
Head of Conference | Poison
Fabian Massah
Moderator & Co-Curator | Endorphine Production
Looking into the futures – How and for whom do we want to shape our tomorrow?
Elena Artiles Leyes
Futurist and Co-founder | Futures Probes
Details
Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, but we all have ideas about what should and shouldn’t be part of a future worth living in. Knowing how to navigate the plurality of futures can help us to prepare for and, more importantly, to shape what lies ahead – without leaving anyone behind.
Streaming is over - Long live linear TV?
Justus Riesenkampff
Executive Chairman | Beta Nordic Studios, Beta Film
Details
The death of linear TV has been predicted for over a decade. But this year seems to be all about the downfall of streaming - with streamers cancelling commissions, the number of green lights shrinking considerably and development periods stretching out, their role in the industry is being put to the test. This keynote will shed light on current developments in the streaming and TV market and explore how the streaming business model is shifting from total buy-outs to co-productions.
Nostradamus Report 2023: Everything Changing All At Once
Johanna Koljonen
Media Analyst and Author | The Nostradamus Report
Details
The annual Nostradamus Report monitors, analyses and predicts the near future of the faster-than-ever evolving audiovisual industries. In this tenth edition (and her talk) Johanna Koljonen of The Nostradamus Report (Gothenburg) explores how new production technologies powered by AI accelerate the restructuring of the traditional film and television industries. With market contraction, inflation, and recession affecting the industry, new business and financing models for production and distribution will be explored and adopted at a rapid pace.
EXploring Diversity:
I. The Benefits of a diverse Team
Dr. Ricarda Schauerte
Co-Founder and Head of Stakeholder Management | Matter of Facts.
Details
Research shows that diversity in the workforce allows teams to be more innovative, resilient, and perform better financially. Yet, many companies fail to leverage the potential of a diverse team. Does this also apply to the film industry? In her talk, Dr. Ricarda Schauerte of Matter of Facts (Münster) explores the impact of diversity behind and in front of the camera. She illustrates why having a diverse workforce is a prerequisite for creating authentic and novel stories that engage underrepresented audiences, how diverse casts perform at the box office and what obstacles teams that are diverse need to overcome.
II. NewMotion: Breaking Barriers & Promoting Diversity
Roshanak “Rosh“ Khodabakhsh
Producer | Port au Prince Film & Kultur Produktion
Jorgo Narjes
Producer | X-Filme Creative Pool
Details
NewMotion aims to promote diversity in the German film and television landscape with a special focus on behind-the-scenes jobs. The recently launched program will offer a variety of services, including a program that allows participants from underrepresented and underengaged communities to shadow a film professional for a few days. The two founders, producers Roshanak “Rosh” Khodabakhsh of Port au Prince (Berlin) and Jorgo Narjes of X Filme (Berlin), will explore how this shadowing approach can lead to a more diverse and inclusive film and television industry in the long term.
III. OMNI: Inclusion and Diversity Insights
Inga Becker
Coordinator Diversity & Inclusion | MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
Details
There has been no data available to map the diversity (or lack thereof) of the people involved in the German film and television industry - until now. Inga Becker of MOIN Filmförderung (Hamburg), will explore how OMNI, an initiative on inclusion data, launched by MOIN in collaboration with the Australian platform The Everyone Project, gathers, processes and publishes crowd-sourced data, and analyses the relevance and impact of detailed diversity and inclusion insights.
13:10 – 14:10
Communal Lunch / Networking
The lunch is included in the ticket fee.
14:10
Stage 1
Bubbleversum - Deep Diving into Filter Bubbles
Robert Andersen
Managing Creative Director | Jung von Matt CREATORS
Details
With the rise of social media platforms, marketers ditched the fascination with the average consumer and instead focused on the individual. The Hamburg based Bubbleversum, developed by Jung von Matt, one of Germany’s top advertising agencies, is an immersive installation that allows creative story developers and marketers to deep dive into the personal digital filter bubbles of individuals. Robert Andersen of Jung von Matt (Hamburg) will explore the transition (in advertisement) from the audience to multiple audiences and from mass to micro-segmentation. He will illustrate how the Bubbleversum visualises the potential digital reality of specific individuals, using real-time data and cutting edge technology in a physical space. He will also reflect on how this tool could be used in the development and marketing of films.
Getting a Deeper Connection to a Broader Audience
Koen van Bockstal
CEO | Flanders Audiovisual Fund
Ivy Vanhaecke
Managing Executive Producer | De Mensen
This session is brought to you by Creative Europe Desks Germany
Details
In most cases, decisions to develop and greenlight film and TV projects are based on past experience, assumptions and gut feelings. Using hard data in decision making is still looked at with suspicion by creatives and producers. Producer Ivy Vanhaecke of De Mensen (Brussels) and financier Koen Van Bockstal of the Flemish Audiovisual Fund (Brussels) will share their experience working with Publikum (Copenhagen). Their audience research techniques make data more usable for creative processes in the film industry, by combining AI-analysis and anthropological insights in the early stages of script development. In their talk, Ivy and Koen will explore how film funds can incentivize the use of these technologies as support for decision-making, and how production companies can benefit from such support and tools.
14:10
Stage 2
Audience-Driven Development and Production
Paolo Vacirca
Head of Development | Scandinavian Content Group
Details
There is often a gap between the aims of public funding and the wants and needs of the audience. In his talk, Swedish producer Paolo Vacirca of the Scandinavian Content Group (Stockholm) will share his audience-driven approach to development and production. He will explore how his company built a pipeline to finance successful (genre) projects for the big screen through private equity, without the restraints of public funding. He will show why market research and strategic marketing play key roles in truly understanding and reaching the audience and how he accelerates the next generation of storytellers.
Documentary (and Drawing) Power driving Social Change
Hanne Phlypo
Producer of documentary | Clin d'oeil films
This session is brought to you by
EAVE
Details
Draw for Change! is a six-part documentary series about female cartoonists in Mexico, USA, Russia, India, Syria, and Egypt. The series blends documentary and animation in exploration of themes such as female representation, femicide, censorship, and democracy. Producer Hanne Phlypo of Clin d’Oeil Films (Brussels) will explore how documentary film can drive social change and share her experience on packaging, financing, producing and releasing this project. Draw for Change! is produced in collaboration with European broadcasters and is being released as a TV-series, one-offs, a VR experience, an exhibition and a book.
15:10 – 15:40
coffee Break / Networking
15:40
Stage 1
Unleashing the power of the podcast
Maria Lorenz-Bokelberg
Founder & CEO | POOL ARTISTS
Nilz Bokelberg
Author & Moderator
Details
The podcast boom continues, with ever-growing audiences tuning in. The medium has long reached creative maturity and has become a source of inspiration and a playing field for audiovisual storytellers. In her talk, podcast veteran Maria Lorenz-Bokelberg of Pool Artists (Berlin) will dive into the intersections between podcasts and audiovisual media. She will explore how podcasts can function as an additional format for existing films and series to reach audiences. Together with author Nilz Bokelberg she will also explore how podcasts can be used to test stories intended for the screen.
A producer's attitude in times of crisis
Fabian Gasmia
Producer, CEO | Zentropa Berlin / Seven Elephants
Details
The Bastard (The Promised Land), directed by Nikolaj Arcel, starring Mads Mikkelsen, produced by Zentropa, in co-production with Zentropa Berlin and Zentropa Sweden, with sales handled by TrustNordisk, just world premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival. The film tells the true story of an impoverished captain, Ludvig Kahlen, who set out to conquer the harsh, uninhabitable Danish heath with a seemingly impossible goal: to build a colony in the name of the King. The film was financed before the war in Ukraine transformed the world and the film industry was turned upside down by the streamer boom, Covid-19, the energy crisis, inflation and a shortage of team and crew members. Due to these reasons the film was 25% over budget when shooting started and strong action was necessary by the producers to prevent the project jeopardizing their companies. The film was pre-sold to more than 50 territories. Producer Fabian Gasmia of Zentropa Berlin / Seven Elephants will explore the ups and downs of a production caught in earth-shattering changes, the mind-set necessary to stay on top of things in an epic production and the relevance of trust among co-producers.
15:40
Stage 2
AI in Visual Creation
Timor Kardum
Co-Founder, Managing Director and Chief Creative Technologist | MAGIG
Details
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) can produce high quality text, images, sound, software...The breakthroughs in the field since last November (when GPT-3 was released) have the potential to drastically change content creation. In his talk, creative technologist Timor Kardum of MAGIG (Hamburg, Berlin) will share his insights in the latest technological developments in this field. Using some of the newest tools, he will demonstrate how Generative AI can be used in the development and production of films and series.
From Podcast to Screen: ZEIT Verbrechen Anthology
Jorgo Narjes
Producer | X-Filme Creative Pool GmbH
Details
The podcast ZEIT Verbrechen features real criminal cases from Germany and takes a look at the people and motives behind the crimes. Since its release in 2018, it has been one of the most listened to podcasts in the German-speaking territory. Producer Jorgo Narjes of X Filme (Berlin) will share his experience producing a four-part anthology series for Paramount+ inspired by four of the podcast episodes, directed by four of Germany’s most exciting and distinguished filmmakers: Jan Bonny, Helene Hegemann, Mariko Minoguchi and Faraz Shariat.
16:40 – 17:10
coffee Break / Networking
17:10
Stage 1
FilmChain - Reporting Software for Producers
Maria Tânjală
Co-Founder | FilmChain
Details
In light of the amended German Copyright Act (Urheberrechtsgesetz) from 2021 and the obligation for producers to pro-actively report to copyright holders coming into effect earlier this year, media-tech company FilmChain has partnered with Produzentenverband to create a tailored reporting platform. Maria Tanjala of FilmChain (London) will present this easy-to-use reporting tool which reduces the administrative burden of film and TV producers, allows producers to report on audience and revenue data to copyright holders, and ultimately increases transparency along the value chain.
New Work: 4-day-Week
Laura Bull
Producer | readymade films
Alica Gruia
Producer, director, writer, actor | Darling Point
Kilian Grauel
Line Producer
Details
The 4-day work week movement has grown considerably in recent years, with increasing numbers of companies and organisations worldwide experimenting with or adapting this model. Research indicates that it leads to lower stress-levels and increased productivity. Is this also the case for the film industry? Producer Laura Bull of readymade films (Berlin), actress, director and producer Alice Gruia (Cologne) and line producer Kilian Grauel (Berlin) will share their experience producing with a 4-day week and explore how this model might apply to producing series and feature films on a larger scale.
Social Impact Entertainment and impact-driven decision making
Mariana Oliva
Co-CEO and Partner | Maria Farinha Films
Luana Lobo
Co-CEO and Partner | Maria Farinha Films
This session is brought to you by EAVE
Details
Stories have the power to change the world. But it is not only about the stories themselves, it is also about how works – films and series in particular – are having an impact based on the ways they are produced and marketed. Luana Lobo and Mariana Oliva from Maria Farinha Filmes (Sao Paulo) will dive into the particular business model and collective intelligence of their production company, that is fully dedicated to social impact entertainment, diversity and sustainability, and explore how they have implemented work principles based on these values, with an innovative form of leadership, and a focus on audience development.
19:00
End of Explorer Konferenz 2023
10:00 - 11:00
CHECK-IN & NETWORKING
STAGE 1 (AUDITORIUM)
11:00
Opening of THE Explorer Konferenz
11:15
Keynote / Q&A
The astronaut: everyday life between earth and atmosphere
Dr. Insa Thiele Eich
Astronaut, Meteorologist, Climate Scientist
+ Details
Dr. Insa Thiele-Eich, a meteorologist and climate researcher, is on track to become the first German female astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).
In her opening keynote, she'll give us a glimpse into her fascinating life, sharing the highs and lows of her journey both personally and professionally. She'll also dive into what she's learned about handling risk along the way.
© Aschoffotografie
+ Details
Johanna Koljonen presents the latest edition of the Nostradamus Report, which has been analyzing trends in the audiovisual industry for over a decade. Last year's focus: market declines, shifting demographics, and opportunities from disruptive technologies. Media analyst Koljonen provides an overview of the current report. We’re looking forward what's in store for this year.
Johanna Koljonen is an analyst, broadcaster, and experience designer. She is the author of the annual Nostradamus Report for the Göteborg Film Festival, which focuses on the near future of the film industry. She gives international talks on changes in the media sector as well as on participation and narrative design.
12:15
Interview
spotlight: best practices in the film industry -hamburg with international radiance
Lamin Leroy Gibba
Actor, Screenwriter & Producer
Ali Hakim
Director & Co-Founder | Hakim + König Film
+ Details
Hamburg is increasingly becoming the hub for film and TV production in Germany. In 2023, there were an impressive 2,292 shooting days in the film region of Northern Germany, with 551 in Schleswig-Holstein and 1,741 in Hamburg. This led to the creation of 16 feature films and eight high-end series that gained attention well beyond the country's borders (MOIN Annual Report 2023). In this panel, we will explore how the Hamburg film scene addresses risks in film production and successfully executes creative projects.
Lamin Leroy Gibba is an actor, screenwriter and producer. After his studies at The New School for Drama in New York City, he appeared in various theater, film and television productions. His award-winning short film DOGFRIEND, which he co-produced, wrote and starred in, was screened globally at festivals like the Tribeca Film Festival and the BFI Flare Film Festival. In 2023 Lamin was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient in the category Entertainment. His television series BLACK FRUIT, for which he is the creator, head writer, showrunner, and lead actor, will stream on ARD in 2024.
Ali Hakim is a German-Afghan film producer, director, and screenwriter from Hamburg. After working on smaller productions, including an animation project, he made his directorial debut with the feature film Bonnie and Bonnie. Since then, he has also directed for television. In 2023, he co-founded the production company Hakim + König Film with Max König, which currently has three projects in the financing phase. In addition to developing stories, Ali focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into artistic and business structures. Apart from his work in the film industry, Ali Hakim is also active as a lecturer, teaching camera acting and storytelling.
© Jingxiong Qiao
12:45
Lightning Talk
FILM FAMILY: HOW CAN WE CHANGE PRODUCTION CONDITIONS TO PROVIDE A FAMILY FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT FOR PARENTS?
Maritza Grass
Producer, Founder & CEO | Carousel Film
Lotte Ruf
Producer, Founder & CEO | Goldstoff Filme
+ Details
Maritza Grass: The German-Dutch producer's short film "Free Nights" was selected for the NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER and screened in Warsaw & Cannes. Her graduation feature film "Die feige Schönheit," produced in collaboration with ZDF, was selected for EUROPEAN WORK IN PROGRESS COLOGNE. In 2022, she founded Carousel Film, which she has been running jointly with Vincent Edusei since 2024.
Lotte Ruf studies Film & Television Production at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF and is also part of several international festival juries. In 2022, she founded Goldstoff Filme GmbH together with director Mark Lorei. Her debut, the sequel to "Haus Kummerveldt", received the FIRST STEPS AWARD and was awarded the Grimme Prize Special.
The emerging Producers Maritza Grass and Lotte Ruf present insights from their master's thesis at Filmuniversity Babelsberg on the intersection of family life and film production. They designed a guide for producers in the German film industry, aiming to encourage a socially sustainable production culture on set.
© Greta Isabella Conte
© Neuhaus Grimme Institut
13:10
Communal Lunch / Networking
The lunch is included in the ticket fee.
STAGE 1 (AUDITORIUM)
14:00
Deep Dive #1
FINANCING & EXPECTATIONS FOR FILMS IN POPULAR GENRES LIKE COMEDY, THRILLER, OR HORROR
Mia Bays
Oscar-winning & BAFTA-nominated Film Producer | Director Film Fund British Film Institute
Joseph Pery
Marketing & International Distribution | Charades
+ Details
According to research by the BFI, many film funding programs disproportionately favor drama projects. Putting a greater emphasis on genre in the development space, and also decentralising development funding in order to do so, the BFI Film Fund launched the Next Wave Genre Lab. In this deep dive, Mia Bays will introduce this innovative initiative, and will discuss together with Charades' Joseph Pery on the basis of Sundance-winner “Kneecap" as a case study.
Mia Bays is an Oscar-winning and BAFTA-nominated film producer with over 30 years in the independent film sector. She produced the Oscar-winning short Six Shooter and received BAFTA nominations for Scott Walker – 30 Century Man. Since October 2021, she has led the National Lottery Filmmaking Fund at the BFI, overseeing a £54m strategy for film development and production from 2023 to 2026. Under her direction, 2023 marked the fund's most successful year, with numerous nominations and wins for films like Blue Jean and Rye Lane. Mia also supported emerging talent through the Microwave scheme and promoted gender equality in film with Birds’ Eye View.
Joseph Pery holds a master’s degree in Finance from Sorbonne University and a MSc in Management from ESSEC Business School in Paris. He joined Charades in December 2020 and is co-leading the Marketing and Publicity department since 2021. Joseph notably worked on several international marketing and promotional campaigns: Aftersun by Charlotte Wells (Cannes Critics’ Week 2022), Scrapper by Charlotte Regan (Sundance 2023 Grand Jury Prize), Memoir of a Snail by Adam Elliot (Annecy 2024 Cristal Award) and Kneecap by Rich Peppiatt (Sundance 2024 Audience Award) among others.
Stage 2
14:00
Deep Dive #2
QUO VADIS - GEN AI IN FILM PRODUCTION
Hannes Jakobsen
Co-Founder & CEO | DRIVE beta
Timor Kardum
Co-Founder & Chief Creative Technologist | MAGIG Design + Technologies
+ Details
In a deep dive, the AI experts explore the impact of Generative AI (GenAI) on the film industry. Generative AI (GenAI) is revolutionizing film production by independently creating content such as scripts, scenes, and visual effects based on minimal input. How does GenAI redefine creativity? To what extent are production processes accelerated and new artistic possibilities opened up?
Hannes Jakobsen studied Film and Media at the University of Copenhagen, as well as Media Management at Copenhagen Business School and Hamburg Media School. His career led him to the YouTube team at Google, where he worked as a Partner Manager and Creative Strategist. Later, he became the Chief Creative Officer at the MCN DIVIMOVE, which is now known as We Are Era. Today, Hannes is the co-founder and CEO of DRIVE beta, a creative digital studio and production company based in Berlin.
Timor Kardum is a technologist at the intersection of film production and artificial intelligence. He founded OMSTUDIOS, a leading Berlin-based media production house, where he spearheaded VFX, VR/AR, and virtual production projects. His innovative work earned him the Shotgun Pipeline Award for automating videos VFX jobs, and his OMCOPTER drone (the first professional camera drone in the world) was considered for a Technical Academy Award. As VP of Technology at PwC EC, Timor led AI and XR initiatives for major industrial clients. Currently, at MAGIG Design + Technologies, he focuses on cutting-edge applications of Generative AI, machine learning, and computer vision in the creative industries. He is developing a GenAI content generation platform called CASSI, targeting non-technical creatives and business.
© Lola Rossi
STAGE 3
14:00
Deep Dive #3
Behind the scenes: BLACK FRUIT (TV Series 2024)
Lamin Leroy Gibba
Actor, Screenwriter & Producer
+ Details
Lamin Leroy Gibba is an actor, screenwriter and producer. After his studies at The New School for Drama in New York City, he appeared in various theater, film and television productions. His award-winning short film DOGFRIEND, which he co-produced, wrote and starred in, was screened globally at festivals like the Tribeca Film Festival and the BFI Flare Film Festival. In 2023 Lamin was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient in the category Entertainment. His television series BLACK FRUIT, for which he is the creator, head writer, showrunner, and lead actor, will stream on ARD in 2024.
© Jingxiong Qiao
15:00
Break / Networking
STAGE 1 (AUDITORIUM)
15:15
Deep Dive #4
TIME SPENT WITH THE CREATOR: UNLOCKING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH THROUGH LONG-FORM CONTENT
Oğuz Yılmaz
Co-Founder | YilmazHummel
+ Details
Oğuz Yılmaz is a pioneer of the German YouTube landscape and a member of Y-Titty, once Germany's most successful YouTube channel with over three million subscribers. He won an ECHO award and performed at sold-out concerts. As the co-founder of the talent management YilmazHummel, he now nurtures creative talents and advocates for the conditions he once wished for himself.
In his Deep Dive, Oğuz Yılmaz will provide insights into his industry and explain why creators who want to achieve sustainable success cannot avoid long-form content. What is “time spent with the creator” and why is it so important? What do YouTube & Spotify have to do with it? And what does he think of TikTok? Spoiler: It's going to be interesting.
© Yilmaz Hummel
Stage 2
15:15
Deep Dive #5
Equitable Co-production
Henrik Underbjerg
Adviser and Programme Manager | International Media Support
& Producer | Stray Dog Denmark
Jennifer Sabbah-Immagine
International Legal Affairs: Film & AV Co-production & Co-Founder | Scale & Scope
+ Details
The structure of international co-productions requires a special sensitivity in assessing risks and rewards. How can co-production shares be brought into a fairer balance beyond just the evaluation of invested financial amounts? Are there new metrics that assess the risks of the respective partners in addition to financial contributions? What role do official regulations and institutions play in a possible reorganization? The experts in this session are part of an EAVE think tank that has explored this topic and will present solutions currently in development.
Henrik Underbjerg is adviser and programme manager for International Media Support – a media development organization working to enable local media to reduce conflict, strengthen democracy and facilitate dialogue. Priority is given to film productions focusing on issues of current affairs, gender equality, cultural diversity, and human rights. Henrik is also producing and has a track counting more than 50 fiction and documentary films including Khartoum Offside, Aleppo’s Fall, Sepideh.
Jennifer Sabbah Immagine is an expert in co-production and international legal matters with over 20 years of experience, including roles as Line Producer, Business Affairs, and Producer. She has worked at Arsam International, Unifrance NY, TWC, and KinoElektron. Since 2007, through Big Sister, she produced documentaries like NASSER (TIFF 2016) and MARINER OF THE MOUNTAINS (Cannes 2021). In 2020, she co-founded Scale & Scope, a film consulting agency.
This session is brought to you by EAVE European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs
STAGE 3
15:15
Deep Dive #6
Animation IS NOT A Genre
Fabian Driehorst
Producer of Animation, CEO & Co-Founder | Fabian&Fred
+ Details
Animation isn’t just for one genre or one audience—it’s a medium that can bring any story to life. In Fabian's Deep Dive, you’ll get an insider's look at the fascinating world of arthouse animation and beyond. Fabian will dive into the unique challenges of creating auteur-driven animation, where risk meets creativity, and the rewards that follow. Learn how to stand out on the international stage and discover how animation techniques and formats play a key role in success. From creative freedom to innovative storytelling (and the inevitable failures along the way), this session is packed with inspiration for anyone passionate about animation.
Fabian Driehorst is a producer of animation and CEO and co-founder of the Hamburg based production studio Fabian&Fred a company that was recognised with the FFA Industry Tiger as the most successful production company for short films in 2023. In the same year Fabian was awarded the Hamburg Producer Award for International Co-Production and in 2019 for the Documentary Producer Award at DOKfest Munich. He is chairman of the AG Animationsfilm and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the European Film Academy. Fabian is a regular lecturer at international film schools and training initiatives. In 2023 he became a mentor for Women in Animation.
16:15
coffee Break / Networking
STAGE 1 (AUDITORIUM)
16:45
Deep Dive Roundtable
17:15
Lightning Talk
Elevate Your Production Game: WHAT’S NEW ON YAMDU
Florian Reimann
CEO & Co-Founder of Yamdu
+ Details
Florian Reimann, CEO of Yamdu, is a seasoned producer in the European film industry, recognized for his work across film, TV, commercials, and documentaries. His expertise has led him to focus on digitizing media production processes, improving pre-production workflows through Yamdu. A sought-after guest speaker, he shares insights on data consolidation, project management, and workflow optimization. Florian is a member of the HPA Hollywood Professional Association and participates in MovieLabs, Hollywood's top workflow think tank.
17:30
Interview
The aspiring artist: rethinking and experimenting with old structures
Tobi Kyeremateng
BAFTA-Winning Film & TV Producer
Lara-Sophie Milagro
Actress, Author, Director & Producer | Label Noir & Decolonized Glamour Productions
+ Details
Tobi Kyeremateng is a BAFTA-winning producer from London. She has been producing internationally for renowned broadcasters and media such as BBC, BFI, Channel 4, Film4, Netflix, NOWNESS and Sky Arts.
In an interview we're eager to hear her thoughts on how a community-focused approach can foster a more supportive industry. We also want to explore how production practices could be reshaped by communities across different fields and what benefits we might see from these changes. What “reward” awaits us as a result?
Lara-Sophie Milagro is an actress, author, director and producer. She studied at Goldsmiths College and RADA in London, Stella Adler in NYC and the UdK Berlin. She can be seen regularly in theater and film productions, currently at the Theater Neumarkt Zurich and in the bestselling movie adaptation “Woodwalkers” (blue eyes fiction). As a freelance author/creative producer she works for / with Studio Zentral and Achtung Panda! and developed the performative talk format “Declonized Glamor Talks”. As a film director she made her debut in 2020 with the short “Noah's Rainbow” and in 2022 with her first feature film “Emmett” for which she also wrote the film adaptations.
This session is brought to you by Creative Europe Desks Germany
© Kasimir Bordasch
18:00
Dialogue
VISIONARY WORLDS – A DIALOGUE
Dodo Vögler
Co-Founder, Head of Foresight & Participation | Ellery Studio
Naomi Bechert
Freelance Screenwriter
+ Details
On stage, extraordinary experts come together, deeply engaged with the question of how to shape the future constructively and with vision – whether through scientific scenarios or cinematic storytelling. In this session, they discuss the role optimistic futures play in times of global challenges and how these futures can influence our present reality. What ethical and social responsibilities do they see in their work when it comes to creating positive futures? How can the interplay between vision and reality motivate people to actively contribute to a better future? What can science and film learn from each other to create positive future visions that offer more than just entertainment or speculation?
Dodo Vögler is the co-founder of Ellery Studio and the head of the Foresight and Participation department. She is also a co-initiator of the platform "zukunftsforscherin.de" and the "Speculative Futures: Berlin" forum. As a visiting professor at the HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd (2021-24), she works at the intersection of futures research and futures design. Her work and initiatives have received numerous national and international awards, including the Emerging Scholars Prize in Futures Studies, the Malofiej International Infographics Award, the dpa-infographic award, the European Design Award, and the ADC Award.
Screenwriter and psychologist Naomi Bechert has worked in anti-racist and queer feminist education before she began writing for the youth series "DRUCK." In 2023, she was selected for the Netflix Writing Academy and is part of the selection committee for the Berlinale section "Generation." She is one of the authors of the post-migrant anthology series "Made in Germany" (release on October 4, ARD) and the pre-teen series "Echt Friends." From fast-paced young adult drama in the club scene to mystery thrillers in West Africa, Naomi is passionate about contemporary, provocative stories of Generation Y and Z, focusing on themes of identity, feminism, and relationships.
© Naima Malaika
18:30
Closing
18:45