Edinburgh International Film Festival 72nd edition has today announced its comprehensive 2018 Industry Programme including the EIFF Talent Lab, Works in Progress showcase and Distribution Rewired which are all supported as part of the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund.
Scott Donaldson, Acting Director, Screen at Creative Scotland said: “This year’s Industry Programme continues to build upon the important platform that this strand provides to industry professionals at all levels, from those looking to make their first steps into the business, emerging filmmakers seeking advice and established industry reps looking to meet some of the most exciting talent from around the UK and internationally. It is also an important opportunity to debate important issues in the Screen industry and we are glad that this will include discussions around inclusivity behind the camera alongside input from many highly- regarded industry professionals whose calibre is a testament to the regard with which EIFF’s Industry programme is held.”
EIFF Press & Industry Centre
EIFF provides the perfect platform for the Scottish, UK and international film industry to come together to understand discuss and debate the future of film, make connections, and enjoy the best networking events.
EIFF’s Press & Industry Centre, housed in the Traverse Theatre, is a hub of social activity in the evenings and a business centre during the day. EIFF’s 2018 Industry programme will deliver 9 days of events, workshops and networking opportunities for Festival passholders.
EIFF Industry Events Programme
The Industry Events programme aims to highlight the main issues affecting the film industry, both in the UK and worldwide, and presents opportunities to support networking, developing talent and future creative collaborations. This year, EIFF is partnering with a number of organisations to deliver a broad programme of discussions, workshops and networking events with leading industry practitioners from organisations including Creative Europe, BFI Network, Film Hub Scotland, Scottish Documentary Institute (SDI), Creative Skillset, London Film Academy, Bafta Scotland and PRS for Music.
Programme highlights include several networking opportunities in partnership with the Scottish Film Talent Network, Bafta Scotland and PRS for Music, to connect producers with filmmakers and directors with composers with the aim of encouraging future creative relationships.
Events this year include: Meet the Network introducing the full complement of BFI Network including all the new England based Talent Executives; Whitney filmmakers, Kevin Macdonald and Simon Chinn will discuss narrative storytelling in documentary and Inclusivity Behind the Camera will encourage filmmakers and producers to consider crew inclusivity off as well as on-screen. The Industry animation focussed events will take place on 27th and 28th June to coincide with the McLaren screenings with panellists including Lizzy Hobbs, whose retrospective screens as part of this year’s public programme. The closing session will be a half-day focus on the intricacies of adapting books for screen followed by a networking event supported by Creative Scotland and IMDbPro.
Distribution Rewired
Distribution Rewired returns for a fourth edition focusing on developing relationships between filmmakers and professionals working with newer distribution models. Events will include roundtables, case studies and a discussion around the role of festivals in the distribution process and how they can support online distribution plans.
A dedicated marketplace sits at the centre of the initiative where ten pre-selected film projects can arrange meetings with key representatives from the industry to look at more creative approaches to distribution.
EIFF Works In Progress
EIFF Works in Progress will showcase ten of the most exciting new films from across the UK to an exclusively invited audience of sales agents, distributors, financiers and festival programmers, helping selected projects reach their ambitions of completion, distribution, and exhibition. Projects were selected via an open call and the event offers £2500 for the most promising project.
EIFF Talent Lab
2018 celebrates the eighth edition of EIFF Talent Lab. With thirty filmmakers selected for the four-day programme of workshops, panels, masterclasses and specially tailored one-to-one sessions. To support the development of their knowledge, skills, and networks, participants will meet with industry guests including representatives from Cornerstone Films, Film4, Protagonist Pictures, United Agents, Wellington Films, BBC Films, Bankside Films, Peccadillo Pictures and Altitude Entertainment.
The 2018 Talent Lab participants include:
Screenwriters: Lauren Lomas, Gillian Park, Michael Lee Richardson.
Writer/Directors: Tomisin Adepeju, Ben Adler, Kate Burton, Joséfa Celestin, Lisa Clarkson, Faye Jackson, Leonora Lonsdale, Iain Mitchell, Gordon Napier, Tom Nicoll, Kevin Pickering, Charlotte Regan.
Producers: Sorcha Bacon, Daniel-Konrad Cooper, Edward Dede, Robyn Forsythe, Maria Caruana Galizia, Georgia Goggin, James Heath, Lauren Lamarr, Fawzia Rukhsana Mahmood, Jennifer Monks, Lauren Parker, Garry Paton, Sam Tipper-Hale, Margarita Veberaite, Lewis Wardrop
EIFF’s Industry Programme is supported by the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund, Creative Scotland, Netflix, Wellcome, and Telefilm Canada.