When East Meets West (WEMW) is back with its 15th edition, set to take place from 19-22 January in Trieste. Drawing in over 500 film professionals from more than 50 countries, this Italian co-production forum is an integral part of the 36th Trieste Film Festival. This year, the spotlight is on the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and the BeNeLux region (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg). As the Co-production Forum selection was recently announced, the focus now shifts to the sections dedicated to films in the post-production phase and the EAVE Slate participants.
Last Stop Trieste
The eleventh edition of Last Stop Trieste continues to shine a light on creative documentaries at the fine cut stage. Through partner platforms like Ex-Oriente Film Workshop and Baltic Sea Docs, five projects have been selected to compete for prestigious awards like the Film Centre of Montenegro Award and the Arte Video Award.
This is IT
In collaboration with Milano Film Network, This is IT is dedicated to feature films and hybrid works with a strong visual and artistic focus. Eight projects, including those from Italian producers and the spotlighted territories, will vie for the Laser Film Award, ensuring their readiness for festival premieres and international distribution.
First Cut+
The winter session of First Cut+ will showcase eight promising titles from ten different countries. These projects, tailored for sales agents and festival programmers, offer a glimpse into emerging talent from around the world.
EAVE Slate
The fourth edition of the EAVE Slate programme features 12 companies from Europe and Latin America, showcasing a diverse range of industry perspectives. With 124 participants from 37 countries engaging in the Inspirational Labs, collaboration with industry leaders promises innovative development opportunities.
Selected Titles and Companies
- Last Stop Trieste
- Becoming Roosi – Margit Lillak (Estonia/Germany)
- Electing Ms Santa – Raisa Razmerita (Moldova/Romania)
- My Dad’s Lessons – Dalija Dozet (Croatia)
- Home is Where the Films Are – More Raça (Kosovo)
- Divia – Dmytro Hreshko (Ukraine/Poland/Netherlands)
- This is IT
- Cat on My Mind – Laila Pakalnina (Latvia)
- Wolf Park – Demelza Kooij (Norway/Sweden/Italy)
- The Lost Son – Darko Štante (Slovenia/Greece/Croatia/Italy/North Macedonia)
- Cuerpo Celeste – Nayra Ilic (Chile/Italy)
- The White Club (working title) – Michele Pennetta (Switzerland/Italy/Slovenia)
- On Their Own – Tudor Jurgiu (Italy/Romania)
- Home – Or Sinai (Israel/Poland/Italy)
- Like Heaven Without God – Luca Capponi (Netherlands/Italy)
- First Cut+
- Amores – Grace Passô (Brazil)
- Borderline – Ignas Jonynas (Lithuania)
- Despite the Scars – Felix Rier (Italy)
- Girl in the Night – Luka Marčetić (Slovenia)
- Summer School, 2021 – Dužan Duong (Czech Republic/Slovakia)
- Those Who Whistle After Dark – Pinar Yorgancioglu (Turkey/Bulgaria/Germany)
- Urban Disobedience Toolkit – Vladimír Turner (Czech Republic)
- White Lies – Alba Zari (Italy/Belgium)
- First Cut Lab Trieste
- A Winner Is Seen At The Start – Zhannat Alshanova (France/Kazakhstan/Netherlands/Lithuania)
- Shakespeare Goes Armenian – Inna Sahakyan, Lilit Movsisyan (Armenia/Netherlands)
- EAVE Slate
- Rodô Audiovisual – Akira Martins (Brazil)
- Hotel B Filmes S.A.S – Juan Camilo Figueroa (Colombia)
- Brava Cine – Valeria Forster (Argentina)
- Monarca Film – Eugenia Olascuaga (Uruguay)
- Blade Production – Zoran Dzeverdanovic (Slovenia)
- Climax Films – Caroline Houben (Belgium CCA)
- HER Film – Malin Huber (Sweden)
- INVICTUS – Kalin Kalinov (Bulgaria)
- KIJORA FILM – Marta Szymanowska (Poland)
- PILGRIM FILM – Andrea Magnani (Italy)
- Plan C Filmproduktion OG – Claudia Wohlgenannt (Austria)
- Volos Film Italia – Stefano Centini (Italy)
This year’s WEMW promises to be a convergence of talent, creativity, and collaboration, showcasing the best of European and Latin American cinema. With a diverse selection of projects and industry insights, this edition is set to pave the way for exciting new developments in the world of film production and co-productions. Stay tuned for more updates and exclusive coverage on CineRecap.com!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the significance of the Co-production Forum at WEMW?
The Co-production Forum at WEMW serves as a platform for industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and explore new co-production opportunities. - How do projects benefit from participating in Last Stop Trieste and This is IT?
Projects selected in Last Stop Trieste and This is IT gain access to awards and post-production services, enhancing their readiness for international distribution and festival premieres. - What is the focus of the First Cut+ programme at WEMW?
The First Cut+ programme highlights promising titles from around the world, offering sales agents and festival programmers a glimpse into emerging talent. - How do companies benefit from participating in the EAVE Slate programme?
Companies in the EAVE Slate programme gain exposure, industry insights, and networking opportunities that can lead to valuable collaborations and project developments. - What collaborative opportunities are available at WEMW’s Inspirational Labs?
WEMW’s Inspirational Labs offer a platform for collaboration with industry leaders, providing participants with valuable guidance, mentorship, and development opportunities. - What are the key regions and territories highlighted in this edition of WEMW?
This edition of WEMW focuses on the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and the BeNeLux region (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg), showcasing their unique cinematic contributions. - How does WEMW support cross-cultural exchange and collaboration in the film industry?
WEMW facilitates cross-cultural exchange and collaboration by bringing together industry professionals from diverse backgrounds, fostering creative partnerships and co-productions. - What are some of the prestigious awards that projects can compete for at WEMW?
Projects at WEMW can compete for awards like the Film Centre of Montenegro Award, the HBO Award, and the Arte Video Award, which offer valuable post-production services and recognition. - How does WEMW contribute to the development of emerging talent in the film industry?
WEMW provides a platform for emerging talent to showcase their projects, connect with industry professionals, and gain valuable exposure and support for their creative endeavors. - What are some of the key industry partners collaborating with WEMW in this edition?
WEMW has strong collaborations with industry partners like ACE Producers, CEE Animation Workshop, and various national film commissions and institutes, ensuring a diverse and enriching experience for participants.
- What is the significance of the Co-production Forum at WEMW?