FOCAL FOUNDATION (Lausanne, Switzerland) promotes the development of creative, technical and entrepreneurial skills among professionals in the areas of film, audiovisual arts and new media.
Focal's training programme encompasses all the elements in the production process: screenwriting and project development, production, markets and rights, directing, directing actors, technical considerations, photography, sound and light, new technologies, multimedia, post-production, distribution and exhibition.
The seminars, workshops and long-term courses provide participants with the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge, to exchange experiences and to establish personal contacts: all valuable aspects in the production of their projects. FOCAL's activities are intended for professionals in all branches of the audiovisual arts, as well as technicians and film-makers in training.
FILMSTIFTUNG NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN supports writers, producers, directors, distributors and cinema owners, high-budget and low-budget productions as well as outstanding international films for television. In order to react in a flexible way to the needs of filmmakers and producers, the Filmstiftung NRW supports almost all the phases of a film production: screenplay, project development, production and post-production, and even the distribution and sales of the final product. After the foundation of the ifs international film school cologne gmbh, it has also beend contributing to the qualification of the next generation, while the Film Commission provides advice on the selection of shooting location. In addition, it helps producers to establish contacts with service providers in Nordrhine Westphalia.
INTERNATIONALE FILMSCHULE KOELN
ifs internationale filmschule köln (Köln, Germany) has rapidly become one of the leading study and advanced training institutions in the area of film and television in North Rhine-Westphalia. The ifs’ Film Studies Program evolves innovative concepts offering the first Bachelor of Arts Degrees in the fields of screenwriting, directing, creative producing, cinematography and editing picture & sound in Germany. Ten further education programs prepare young professionals in the film and TV industry for the continuously increasing demands of national and international contexts. Lecturers, students and co-operation partners also come from Europe and the USA.
POLISH FILMMAKERS ASSOCIATION
Polish Filmmakers Association is the largest Polish organisation of film professionals. It exists since 1966, and counts over 1200 members in a dozen sections and circles. The members of the Association are directors, producers, cinematographers, animators, screenwriters, film critics, stuntmen, make-up artists, sound editors, editors - people from all televisual professions who work in Polish cinematography and television.
NETHERLANDS (DUTCH) FILM INSTITUTE
NFI Productions was founded in 1992 by the Netherlands Film Institute. Since then the company produced a number of features, shorts and documentaries. NFI Productions has been involved in several co-productions. In 2005 the company was re-established by the current owner, producer Trent. NFI produces and distributes socially relevant productions with a cultural and/or historical connection with Europe and especially The Netherlands. The company is using these productions as a platform for new European talented filmmakers and crew, supervised by counselors, to stimulate and develop skills and experience.