Harnessing Diversity in Talent Development: Lessons Learned presented by FOCAL
This panel will delve into the dynamic relationship between generational shifts, working conditions in the film industry, and the vital role of embracing diversity in talent development. Industry experts will share their experiences and insights on fostering an inclusive environment that empowers individuals from diverse backgrounds. Through an examination of lessons learned, the session aims to identify strategies for nurturing talent, supporting emerging voices, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all within the film industry.
SPEAKERS
NEBOJŠA JOVANOVIĆ
Programme Manager, Talents Sarajevo / BA
FLORIAN WEGHORN
Programme Manager Berlinale Talents, Berlin International Film Festival / DE
MARIT VAN DEN ELSHOUT
Director, FilmForward / NL
KRISTINA BÖRJESON
Head of Production, Film i Väst / SE
MODERATED BY
Tamara Tatishvili
Head of Studies of FOCAL’s programme MEDICI – The Film Funding Journey / BE
TIME
Wednesday, August 16th, 2023
12:00 – 13:30 (CET)
LOCATION
Hotel Europe Atrium
Nebojša Jovanović
NEBOJŠA JOVANOVIĆ is the project manager of Talents Sarajevo, the talent development programme of the Sarajevo Film Festival. He is an assistant professor at the University of Sarajevo – Academy of Performing Arts. He edited the monograph Hajrudin Krvavac (2019), the volume on one of the most popular Yugoslav directors of the socialist era. His essays on film theory and history have been published in edited volumes and film magazines and journals.
Florian Weghorn
Florian Weghorn is the Programme Manager of Berlinale Talents, the talent development initiative of the Berlin International Film Festival. He also advises the network of seven regional Berlinale Talents branches, including Talents Sarajevo and the film community of now almost 10,000 alumni around the world. Florian joined the festival team in 2002. From 2008 to 2014, he was the co-director and curator of Berlinale Generation and, between 2012 and 2019, was also a member of the Berlinale Competition selection committee. With a focus on cultural policy and sustainable organisation development, Florian works for other film festivals, film funds and cultural institutions. He is an active member of the European Film Academy as well as the steering committee of the Association of Film Festivals in Germany.
Marit van den Elshout
Marit van den Elshout studied Theatre – Film and Television at the University of Utrecht. Until March 2022, Marit headed the IFFR Pro department of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, which includes all film industry-related initiatives of the festival, including its co-production market, CineMart and the Hubert Bals Fund. After that, she was Head of Studies for the New Producers Academy, a new initiative in the Netherlands with the aim of developing a more diverse and inclusive producer landscape in The Netherlands. Since September 2022, she has been the director of FilmForward, a talent and skills development organisation offering workshops and training to working professionals in the film and audiovisual sector in The Netherlands. Marit acted on several selection committees, including for the Rotterdam Media Fund, the Netherlands Film Fund (the feature film and co-productions committees) and the Dutch Cultural Media Fund. She is an EAVE 2009 graduate, has served on several juries for project markets and is a member of the European Film Academy. She worked as an industry liaison for the Melbourne International Film Festival and has worked, among others, as an advisor and international liaison on the establishment and development of Durban FilmMart.
Kristina Börjeson
Kristina Börjeson has been working in the film industry since 1991 when she started at the Göteborg Film Festival. She then spent ten years at the art house distribution company Triangelfilm. She joined the Swedish Film Institute in 2011, where she worked for eight years in different positions: commissioner of marketing, head of distribution and screening and finally, head of film funding. She also spent one year at the national broadcaster TV4/CMore as head of production in the drama department and was the Swedish Eurimages representative for four years. Kristina moved to her present position as Head of Production at Film i Väst in January 2021.
Tamara Tatishvili
Tamara Tatishvili combines solid experience in international funding & promotion strategies with a strong passion for talent curation & programming. She worked for several years as Director of the Georgian National Film Center (2010-2013) – the public institution that sets Georgian film policy. Before that, Tamara co-founded and served as an Executive Director of the Independent Filmmakers’ Association - South Caucasus (IFA-SC). She managed three offices of the Association - leading local teams and ensuring multi-stakeholder industry activities. Since 2014 Tamara has been based in Brussels and works as an international industry consultant, combining various projects in leadership, strategy and industry insights. She acted as Strategy & Partnerships Manager for European Women’s Audiovisual Network and curated the high-level industry conference CINEMA BACKSTAGE for Odessa International Film Festival in Ukraine. She is a regular consultant at BOZAR’s Bridges East of West Film Days in Belgium and is often invited as a moderator of high-profile industry events. Since February 2020, Tamara has been Head of Studies of FOCAL’s programme MEDICI – The Film Funding Journey - an annual vocational training for senior public financiers internationally.