Position of Southeast European Filmmakers in European Film Academy
This panel explores the role of the European Film Academy (EFA) in promoting and supporting filmmakers from Southeast Europe, emphasising the increasing significance of voices from smaller European territories in contrast to the leading high-production countries. It will delve into the EFA’s importance for the region, examining both its impact on regional cinema and its relationship with local filmmakers. Producers from the region whose films have been nominated for and won European Film Awards share their experiences, illustrating what these accolades have meant for their projects and careers. The discussion highlights how the EFA amplifies voices from Southeast Europe, thereby helping filmmakers gain greater visibility and recognition, fostering opportunities for collaboration and growth in the European and global film industry, and contributing to the diversity of the European film landscape.
SPEAKERS
MATTHIJS WOUTER KNOL
CEO and Director of the European Film Academy / DE
MILJENKA ČOGELJA
Producer, Pipser / HR
JASMILA ŽBANIĆ
Director and Screenwriter, Deblokada / BA
MODERATED BY
NEBOJŠA JOVANOVIĆ
Talents Sarajevo Programme Manager, Sarajevo Film Festival / BA
TIME
Monday, August 19, 2024
12:30 – 13:30 (CET)
LOCATION
Swissotel Sarajevo / CineLink Talks Conference Room
Matthijs Wouter Knol
Since 2021, Dutch-born Matthijs Wouter Knol is the CEO and Director of the European Film Academy. He is responsible for the executive management, the vision and all related programming of current and future activities of the Academy, including brand new audience development, film education projects, and the annual European Film Awards.
Before reading and graduating with an MA in Contemporary History at Leiden University (the Netherlands) and the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (Italy), he worked as a magazine editor and journalist. From 2001 onwards, he worked in Amsterdam as creative and associate producer on 30 award-winning documentary films, with renowned directors such as Heddy Honigmann, Maria Ramos, and Mani Kaul. For ARTE, he co-produced a digital edition of 40 re-mastered works of Dutch documentarian Johan van der Keuken, which was awarded the Prix Cahiers du Cinéma (2006). After a short stint at IDFA (2007-2008), he formed for 12 years part of the senior Berlinale team, first as Head of Programming of Berlinale Talents (2008-2014), then as Director of the European Film Market (2014-2020).
Apart from launching several new training and industry platforms over the course of his career, Matthijs is an advocate for more Diversity and Inclusion. He initiated D&I schemes at both EFM and the European Film Academy, and was one of the founders of the Anti-Racist Taskforce for European Film (ARTEF). He teaches and coaches at various film schools and is a regular moderator and speaker at international film industry events. Matthijs has been part of the main jury at the festivals of Buenos Aires, Jerusalem, Istanbul and Locarno. He speaks Dutch, English and German fluently, can converse in French and Italian and is improving his Spanish and Portuguese language skills.
Miljenka Čogelja
Miljenka Čogelja is a Croatian producer with over 15 years of experience. In 2012, she founded Pipser, a Zagreb-based production company. She has produced the feature film "Safe Place," a Locarno and Sarajevo award-winner, which has been screened at over 70 international festivals, won over 50 awards, and was nominated for both the Goya and Discovery European Film awards. Other prominent titles include "The Diary of Diana B.," "Slumbering Concrete," "Good Economy," and "One of Us." Miljenka graduated from EAVE in 2012. Since 2024, she has been a member of the European Film Academy.
Jasmila Žbanić
Jasmila Žbanić is an Oscar and BAFTA-nominated director. In 1997, together with her friends, she founded Artist’s Association “Deblokada” through which she produced, wrote and directed her feature film “GRBAVICA”, awarded with Golden Bear on Berlinale 2006, Best film at American Film Institute (AFI). “QUO VADIS, AIDA ?” premiered at Venice Film Festival, and besides multiple other awards, this movie received Independent Spirit Awards for Best International Film, European Film Academy Award for Best film, director and main actress, as well as nominations for USA Academy Awards, Oscar in the category Best International Feature Film, and two BAFTA Awards. She directed one episode of acclaimed HBO TV show THE LAST OF US. Venice film festival presented her TV show I KNOW YOUR SOUL in 2023.