Ethiopian Filmmakers return from Cannes film festival
ADDIS ABABA – June 1st, 2010 -Three emerging Ethiopian Filmmakers ended their first ever visit to the Côte d’Azur, having stopovers at the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival and in Monte Carlo.
Moges Tafesse, Yeneakal Tamrat and Yemane Tsegaye came from Addis Ababa to Cannes, France and Monaco via the sponsorship of the Ethiopian Film Initiative (EFI) and the International Emerging Film Talent Association (IETFA).
They presented a series of films produced during a documentary training workshop funded by UNESCO in 2009 on how to shoot, write and produce socially responsible documentary films aiming to promote tolerance and mutual understanding.
In Cannes, in a whirlwind two days, they were introduced to the international film world. They participated in dialogues with filmmakers, distributors, sales representatives, buyers, world press, film festival directors, financing entities and other film industry personnel. They discussed the needs of the emerging film industry in Ethiopia and the opportunities the country presents for international filmmakers. And, in true Cannes style, they attended industry receptions in hotels and terraces parties where they hobnobbed with such stars as Ludacris. Also present in Cannes at the Cinémas du Monde Pavilion was internationally renowned cinematographer Abraham Haile Biru, promoting his upcoming feature film “Queleh”.
“It was a once in a lifetime experience for me,” stated Yeneakal Tamrat. It was amazing as a young Ethiopian filmmaker to be walking around Cannes and learning how to sell and market my work on a world level.”
“I am very happy with the reaction we received,” said Moges Tafessse. ‘We are three emerging film talents from a country with tremendous culture and beauty but that doesn't have major film industry, which we are hoping to change, and everyone we met was open and giving of their time and information to help"
“It was an eye opening experience, one that led us all to believe that Ethiopian films have the potential of earning an international audience and that we can claim our share in the international film market. I can’t wait to go back and start working on my next project” Yemane Tsegaye announced.
Following their successful foray into the non-stop world of the international movie business, the three headed to Monte Carlo where their films were presented by the IEFTA at a standing room only event hosted by the International University of Monaco. The reaction amongst many of the attending media and the IEFTA and EFI sponsors was overwhelmingly positive.
The next day was spent in a seminar at the International University of Monaco where the filmmakers learned from a panel of industry professionals. The morning session was dominated by learning how to finance their projects using different methods. The panel members consisted of the moderator, an entertainment lawyer, film commission/fund representative, sales agent/distributor and producer. In the afternoon session, they ‘pitched’ their upcoming projects to a panel consisting of a funder, buyer, distributor and publicity/marketing team.
Both the EFI and the IEFTA will continue to support the education and hands-on assistance for the emerging Ethiopian filmmakers and film industry.
For more information contact EFI at
+251-11-155-3172
www.ethiopianfilminitiative.org