Europe Facing the Mediterranean Sea: Common Roots for a Cultural Challenge

This afternoon, journalist and film critic Giorgio Gossetti moderated a lively panel with leading industry figures to discuss collaboration in film – its successes and challenges, creating cultural bridges across Europe and beyond.

Gossetti was joined by Fredéric Cornet, manager of the Cinéma Galeries in Brussels, co-founder of Cineville Belgium and member of Cineuropa board of directors; Helena Medina, screenwriter, creator, executive producer and specialist at Creative Europe; Enrico Vannucci, deputy executive director at Eurimages; Anton Calleja, film and creative industries consultant and film producer; Daniela Said, Creative Europe Desk – Malta team and Teresa Cavina, Artistic Director of Mediterrane Film Festival.

The session saw action packed discussion on the importance of collaboration and co-productions as a way of bringing cultures together and understanding the changes the cities around the Mediterranean sea have undergone.

They touched upon how to create commercially successful content, not re-telling the same stories, as well working with creatives from all over Europe and focusing on shared ideals and sensibilities. In particular, how truly ‘glocal’ content is rooted in personality and how each culture approaches loyalty, family and romantic love – with Turkish content being a great example of local output traveling beyond its own country.

The panelists noted the room for growth, and what more can be done to work together across the region, also acknowledging that this is an ongoing long term objective. Resources are still tight and funding, development prizes, and gap financing remain a priority to be further expanded – the point was also raised that countries need to also help themselves through prioritising investment in the film and entertainment sectors.

When discussing working with international partners, the panel noted the need for partners to work with actual creatives from the region rather than just utilising the technical crews and extras in the country they are collaborating with.

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