The Annual EFA Programme
Throughout the year, the European Film Academy (EFA) initiates and participates in a series of activities dealing with film politics as well as economic, artistic, and training aspects. The programme includes conferences, seminars and workshops, and a common goal is to build a bridge between creativity and the industry. Some of EFA’s events have already become an institution for encounters within the European film community:
- A Sunday in the Country is a special weekend encounter between appr. ten young European filmmakers and some established EFA members. The private atmosphere of these gatherings guarantees an exchange of ideas and experience which goes far beyond the results of usual workshops.
- Conferences and Seminars Every year, a series of conferences initiated and/or supported by the European Film Academy enhance a European debate on film, create platforms for a vivid exchange among film professionals and ensure that the discussion of what European film is, how it is changing and where it is going never expires.
- Master Classes offer valuable training opportunities for young talent, combining theoretical and practical training. The high-profile list of former masters includes renowned film professionals such as Jean-Jacques Annaud, Jan De Bont, Henning Carlsen, André Delvaux, Bernd Eichinger, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Jiri Menzel, Tilda Swinton, István Szabó, Marc Weigert, Mike Newell, Tsui Hark, Allan Starski and Anthony Dod Mantle.
- The Short Film Initiative is an initiative the European Film Academy in co-operation with a series of film festivals throughout Europe. At each of these festivals, one European short film will win a nomination for the European Film Academy Short Film 2009.
- SHORT MATTERS! is the European Film Academy’s short film tour which brings the short films nominated for the European Film Awards to a series of film festivals across Europe and beyond. As a new partner, world-wide short film distribution company Shorts International supports this year’s SHORT MATTERS! programme giving these films an additional platform at 15 festivals which have already confirmed their participation and will screen the programme.
Other Activities
- FAN of Europe is the network of national film academies and the European Film Academy. Founded in 2006, the members of FAN of (FilmAcademiesNetwork of Europe) - all of whom are bodies presenting their respective National Film Awards and the European Film Awards - meet regularly in order to share information and experiences and to develop ideas for joint activities to promote European cinema, as well as educating and nurturing young talent.