Yesterday, on October 16th, the prestigious award ceremony of the 7th edition of the European Work in Progress Cologne (EWIP) took place. More than 250 industry professionals from the European film industry (worldwide distribution, festivals, production, financing, and marketing) gathered during the two days of EWIP to discover the most promising film projects for the upcoming months and to exchange ideas. An independent jury of renowned experts – Heino Deckert (Ma.ja.de. Filmproduktions GmbH), Priscila Miranda (Film producer / Independent film distributor Fenix), Sophie Stejskal (Filmladen Filmverleih), Urte Fink (ZDF/ARTE), Paul Ridd (Festival Director Edinburgh International Film) – selected and awarded prizes totaling nearly €60,000 among the 29 international film projects presented.
For seven years, the Cinenova cinema in Cologne has been the perfect venue for EWIP events, including pitches, meetings, panel discussions, and case studies, in collaboration with the Creative Europe Desk NRW, the Creative Europe Desks Germany, and the International Film Distribution Summit – IFDS.
This year’s EWIP guests included curators from Cannes (Semaine de la Critique and Quinzaine des Cinéastes), Berlinale, Venice, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, Tribeca, BFI London Film Festival, Filmfest Hamburg, and Les Arcs. Some of the most important international and European world sales companies were also present, such as Alphaviolet, Be for Films, Coproduction Office, Films Boutique, New Europe Films Sales, Totem Films, and many more. High-profile guests from the film distribution and television sectors also came to Cologne. The high concentration of influential industry representatives is one of the greatest strengths of EWIP, providing directors and producers with the opportunity to connect with financing and distribution partners in a short amount of time.
EWIP is significantly supported by the Film and Media Foundation NRW, one of the leading film funding institutions in Europe, the Creative Europe MEDIA program of the European Union, and the city of Cologne. The support of the Film and Media Foundation NRW has been instrumental in the establishment and success of EWIP in the European film industry over the past seven years. The established industry event also takes place in cooperation with the Film Festival Cologne, KölnBusiness, as well as the Creative Europe Desks Germany and the International Film Distribution Summit – IFDS. Since its inception, EWIP has been held prior to the Film Festival Cologne.
You can find an overview of all the winners and the jury’s explanations here.
From left to right: EWIP founder Torsten Frehse, Elina Psykou (SEA OF GLASS), Olimpia Pont Chàfer (Programmer EWIP), Alex Camilleri, Fred Burle, Oliver Mallia (ZEJTUNE), Zipporah Nyaruri (TRUCK MAMA), Saralisa Volm (TRUTH OR DARE), Cattleya Paosrijaroen (A USEFUL GHOST), Eike Goreczka, Stephan Komandarev (MADE IN EU), Christian Jilka (LOST LAND), Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke (A USEFUL GHOST), Marina Perales Marhuenda (BALEARIC), Mbabazi Sharangabo Philbert Aimé (MINIMALS IN A TITANIC WORLD), Paul Magnus Lundø (THE BADGERS), Isabel Krolla (Film- und Medienstiftung Nordrhein-Westfalen) © EWIP
The European Work in Progress Cologne continues to be a vital platform for emerging filmmakers and industry professionals to showcase their projects, connect with potential partners, and receive recognition for their work. As the event grows each year, it solidifies its position as a key player in the European film industry, fostering creativity, collaboration, and innovation. The support from organizations like the Film and Media Foundation NRW, the Creative Europe MEDIA program, and the city of Cologne ensures that EWIP remains a cornerstone of the European film landscape, contributing to the growth and development of the industry as a whole. The diverse range of projects presented at EWIP reflects the rich tapestry of European cinema, highlighting the talent and vision of filmmakers from across the continent. With its continued success and impact on the industry, EWIP looks set to remain a fixture on the European film calendar for years to come.