EU Films Shine at Venice: 10 Nominations Showcase Creative Europe's Impact
Venice, Thursday, 12 September 2024.
The 81st Venice International Film Festival features ten EU-funded films and projects, highlighting the EU’s commitment to arts and innovation. With over €1.7 million in support from Creative Europe’s MEDIA strand, these works span various categories, including the prestigious Golden Lion competition.
Nominations and Competitions
One of the most anticipated films in the running for the prestigious Golden Lion award is ‘Harvest’ by Athina Rachel Tsangari. This film, along with others supported by the EU, underscores the diversity and depth of European cinema. In the Orizzonti category, four EU-supported titles have been nominated: ‘Quiet Life (Apathy)’ by Alexandros Avranas, ‘Wishing on a Star’ by Péter Kerekes, ‘Anul nou care n-a fost (The New Year that Never Came)’ by Bogdan Mureşanu, and ‘Pooja, Sir’ by Deepak Rauniyar.
Expanding Horizons
In addition to the main competitions, five other EU-funded works are featured across various sections, including the Venice Immersive category and the Giornate degli Autori section. This broad representation reflects the EU’s dedication to nurturing a wide range of cinematic voices and innovative storytelling techniques. Three additional titles are also showcased in out-of-competition categories, further amplifying the EU’s influence at the festival.
Significant Support and Collaborations
These films have collectively received over €1.7 million from the MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe programme, highlighting the EU’s substantial financial commitment to the arts. They have been co-produced by international teams from several EU countries, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that is central to the European film industry.
High-Profile Presence
Věra Jourová, the European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, is attending this year’s festival. She will engage in several high-profile events, including a panel discussion on the social impact of documentaries titled ‘Unseen Leaders,’ organized by Think-Film and Impact Europe. Furthermore, she will deliver the opening remarks at Ukrainian Day, organized by the Venice Production Bridge, and attend the premiere of ‘Pisni zemli, shcho povilno horyt’ (Songs of Slow Burning Earth)’ by Olha Zhurba, another film supported by MEDIA.
Awards and Recognition
The festival, which concluded on Saturday, 7 September, saw two EU-funded films receiving significant awards. ‘Anul nou care n-a fost (The New Year that Never Came)’ by Bogdan Mureşanu won the Orizzonti competition for best film. Another notable winner was ‘Alpha’ by Jan-Willem van Ewijk, which received the Europa Cinemas Label Award in the independent section ‘Giornate degli Autori’. These accolades further cement the EU’s role in promoting and sustaining high-quality cinema.
Continuing Impact
The presence of EU-supported films at the Venice Film Festival not only showcases the artistic talents emerging from Europe but also underscores the importance of sustained financial and collaborative support. The EU’s Creative Europe programme continues to play a critical role in bringing diverse and innovative European stories to the global stage.
Bronnen
- digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
- digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu
- www.impacteurope.net
- www.lexus.eu
- europeanfilmagencies.eu