Funding Experience for Independent Filmmakers

(Fatherland) - On the morning of November 8, within the framework of the 7th Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF VII), the German Cinema Focus Seminar took place. The seminar was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong; German Ambassador to Vietnam Helga Margarete Barth; Mr. Oliver Brandt, Director of the Goethe Institute Hanoi.

The workshop attracted many Vietnamese filmmakers and film researchers and two German speakers, including director and screenwriter Sophia Linnenbaum and director and actor Axel Ranisch, as contemporary German filmmakers.

Promoting Vietnam-Germany cooperation

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong said that the workshop "Spotlight on German Cinema" is a very meaningful activity, aiming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Germany (1975 - 2025).

Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong speaks at the Workshop

"The workshop was organized with the aim of exchanging experiences in building the German Government's film development policy, along with the journey to the Film Festival as well as prestigious international film awards" - the Deputy Minister shared.

According to the Deputy Minister, with the theme "Cinema: Creativity - Take Off" of the 7th Hanoi International Film Festival, through the workshop, especially the content shared by two German filmmakers, it will be useful experience for domestic and international filmmakers attending the Film Festival.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that the series of films in the German Cinema Focus Program introduces 07 outstanding films by contemporary German filmmakers with cultural diversity and unique expressions in the language of cinema.

Contemporary German cinema has established itself internationally through its combination of innovative storytelling, reflection on historical and social issues, and excellent filmmaking techniques. Directors and actors continue to push the boundaries of German cinema, and it has become one of the most notable national cinemas today. Many German films have been nominated and won awards at prestigious international events, such as the Oscars and the Cannes Film Festival. German filmmakers are now considered important contributors to global cinema, both in terms of artistry and content.

"From the successes of German cinema, we can see what Vietnamese cinema can share and learn. I believe that, with the experience and careful preparation of the Organizing Committee and the Goethe Institute in Hanoi, the Conference will be a great success with sharing and exchanging between colleagues from many different cinemas; always sympathizing with human values, always adapting and developing with human progress" - Deputy Minister Ta Quang Dong affirmed.

Director and actor Axel Ranisch shares at the Workshop

Speaking at the workshop, German Ambassador to Vietnam Helga Margarete Barth said: The 7th Hanoi International Film Festival demonstrates the determination and actions of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in promoting the development of Vietnamese cinema.

The Ambassador thanked the Organizing Committee of the Film Festival for organizing a seminar on German cinema within the framework of the Film Festival. According to the Ambassador, the year 2025 has a special significance in the German-Vietnamese relationship, marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. After this seminar, there will be many other outstanding and interesting events demonstrating the cooperation between Vietnam and Germany in the coming time.

Director and screenwriter Sophia Linnenbaum shares at the Workshop

Finding Funding for Independent Filmmakers

At the workshop, two directors and screenwriters Axel Ranisch and Sophie Linnenbaum shared frankly about German cinema: "In Germany, there are programs to support young filmmakers to produce their first films. We strive to bring the image of young filmmakers closer to the audience. There are programs and courses to train in filmmaking over many years with the aim of improving, exchanging experiences and film quality. Germans rarely go to the cinema, which is a challenge for filmmakers, especially young filmmakers. Currently, 90% of films produced in Germany are co-produced with television and television supports cinema."

Conference Scene

Director Trinh Dinh Le Minh of the film Ngay Xua Co Mot Chuyen Tinh shared that in Germany there are many big film festivals and the film festivals are very strong in supporting young talents through project markets. The key, according to him, is to bring Vietnamese cultural identity into his work, because many foreign audiences love to learn about culture and easily pay attention to Vietnamese projects.

Producer and actress Mai Thu Huyen shared her desire to promote Vietnamese films in Germany because according to statistics, there are more than 170 thousand Vietnamese people living in Germany. Therefore, the market for Vietnamese films in Germany is very large.

Answering questions from Vietnamese filmmakers such as finding funding for independent filmmakers, how cultural and national identity is exploited in German cinema, Mr. Oliver Brandt, Director of the Goethe Institute Hanoi, said that independent Vietnamese filmmakers can introduce their film projects to the Goethe Institute and if suitable, the Institute will support them by sending letters of introduction to German support funds and covering the costs for them to go to Germany to learn about and approach support funds for their film projects.

Conference Scene

One thing the two German speakers shared in common was the need to participate in many film festivals to promote their projects and films.

According to director and actor Axel Ranisch, Germany has about 100 international film festivals per year. Film festivals are held alongside other events and it is important for filmmakers to promote themselves well. "You have to bring your films to many film festivals so that people know who you are. When you have a name and good projects, it will be easier to access film funds," director and actor Axel Ranisch shared.

Sharing the same view, director and screenwriter Sophia Linnenbaum affirmed: "Go through the doors of the film festival, interact, approach the filmmaking community as well as learn about the desires of moviegoers. From there, directors and screenwriters will know what to do"./.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/tieu-diem-dien-anh-duc-kinh-nghiem-tiep-can-quy-cho-cac-nha-lam-phim-doc-lap-20241108142047915.htm