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CinemaHora Forum in Moldova: A Hub for European Cinematographic Collaboration

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Chisinau, December 19, 2023 – The Republic of Moldova has positioned itself at the forefront of European cinematography, hosting the CinemaHora Co-Production Forum, a prestigious event that brought together 70 filmmakers from 20 countries. The National Film Center of Moldova orchestrated this two-day forum on December 16-17, 2023, featuring prominent attendees including President Maia Sandu, Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan, and U.S. Ambassador Kent D. Logsdon.

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"Republic of Moldova actively aligns with European values, recognizing culture as an essential pillar in building a prosperous democratic society. Cinematography leads in spreading new values and promoting cultural diversity, and film is one of the most powerful ways to tell the story of a nation"

President Maia Sandu emphasized.

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"From 2014 until now, with the emergence of the Cinematography Law, filmmakers in the Republic of Moldova have made efforts to demonstrate that we can, and indeed, we achieve this goal we set for ourselves—to make films. We are aware of the importance of this moment, and we will make every effort for cinematography to become the most important tool in Moldova's communication with the world"

mentioned Sergiu Prodan, Minister of Culture.

"The Cinema Hora Forum inaugurates a new stage in international collaboration for the Moldovan film industry. In the creative industries in Moldova, approximately 9,000 employees work, receiving salaries up to 50% higher than in other fields, and the United States, through USAID, supports these growth opportunities for Moldova. I am looking forward to seeing the results of the partnerships established during this event"

stated Kent D. Logsdon, the U.S. Ambassador to Moldova.

The forum’s first day included insightful sessions at the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. International filmmakers shared their experiences on various topics, including the international film ecosystem, women in film and TV, and strategies for funding and co-productions.

"In Slovenia, for a film from abroad to obtain funding, it is necessary for the applicant to be a co-producer from Slovenia. Another criterion, and the most important one, is that the project must be funded to the extent of at least 50% by the country of origin of the main producer of the film. We can say that we are looking for films that already have a part of the funding secured"

mentioned Nika Gricar, the head of the Film Development Department at the Slovenian Film Center.

 

 

Filmmakers from outside the country also came with some recommendations for those in the Republic of Moldova.

"It is essential to invest not only in the production of films but also to try to invest more in the promotion of these films and your talents. If the money only goes into production, you may not achieve anything or very little internationally. I can say from my own experience that it is crucial to invest in the promotion of films, distribution, participation in international festivals, and other similar activities"

said Simone Baumann, a film director from Germany.

During the forum, local filmmakers had the opportunity to showcase their creative ideas and identify potential partners among representatives of the film industry from Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Greece, Germany, Denmark, Montenegro, Croatia, Armenia, Norway, North Macedonia, Georgia, Israel, and the Baltic countries.

 

 

"I believe that the best thing we can do now is to learn from those with experience, so we expect from this forum as many international co-productions as possible"

said Sergiu Pascaru, a film producer from the Republic of Moldova.

"Moldova's cinematography needs to be visible internationally because we have a lot to say. We are like an archaeological site that has not yet been discovered"

mentioned Ana Gurdiș, a documentary film director from the Republic of Moldova.

The purpose of the event was to position Moldova internationally as a country open to multicultural projects.

"This event is very important for our country because making a film means having friends, partners, understanding how this industry works today in the world and what the audience expects. Moldova is gradually finding its place in the film industry, and obviously, it needs support to grow,"

said Valentina Iusuphodjaev, the director of the National Film Center.

The last day of the forum was dedicated to Moldova. During this day, local filmmakers pitched several film projects, exchanging opportunities for collaborations and experience and subsequently, international guests visited attractive filming locations.

 

 

 

Organized by the National Film Center of the Republic of Moldova, the Cinema Hora Forum was supported by the Ministry of Culture and the Future Technologies Project, funded by USAID, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. This event marks a significant milestone in Moldova's journey in the global film industry, fostering international partnerships and cultural exchange.

The National Film Center of Moldova
+373-2282-9721
Moldova.CNC@gmail.com
MD 2012, 102 Columna str.
Chisinau, Moldova

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Republic of Moldova actively aligns with European values, recognizing culture as an essential pillar in building a prosperous democratic society. Cinematography leads in spreading new values and promoting cultural diversity, and film is one of the most powerful ways to tell the story of a nation
President Maia Sandu
From 2014 until now, with the emergence of the Cinematography Law, filmmakers in the Republic of Moldova have made efforts to demonstrate that we can, and indeed, we achieve this goal we set for ourselves—to make films. We are aware of the importance of this moment, and we will make every effort for cinematography to become the most important tool in Moldova's communication with the world
Sergiu Prodan, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Moldova
The Cinema Hora Forum inaugurates a new stage in international collaboration for the Moldovan film industry. In the creative industries in Moldova, approximately 9,000 employees work, receiving salaries up to 50% higher than in other fields, and the United States, through USAID, supports these growth opportunities for Moldova. I am looking forward to seeing the results of the partnerships established during this event
Kent D. Logsdon, the U.S. Ambassador to Moldova
In Slovenia, for a film from abroad to obtain funding, it is necessary for the applicant to be a co-producer from Slovenia. Another criterion, and the most important one, is that the project must be funded to the extent of at least 50% by the country of origin of the main producer of the film. We can say that we are looking for films that already have a part of the funding secured
Nika Gricar, the head of the Film Development Department at the Slovenian Film Center
It is essential to invest not only in the production of films but also to try to invest more in the promotion of these films and your talents. If the money only goes into production, you may not achieve anything or very little internationally. I can say from my own experience that it is crucial to invest in the promotion of films, distribution, participation in international festivals, and other similar activities
Simone Baumann, a film director from Germany
I believe that the best thing we can do now is to learn from those with experience, so we expect from this forum as many international co-productions as possible
Sergiu Pascaru, a film producer from the Republic of Moldova
Moldova's cinematography needs to be visible internationally because we have a lot to say. We are like an archaeological site that has not yet been discovered
Ana Gurdiș, a documentary film director from the Republic of Moldova
This event is very important for our country because making a film means having friends, partners, understanding how this industry works today in the world and what the audience expects. Moldova is gradually finding its place in the film industry, and obviously, it needs support to grow
Valentina Iusuphodjaev, the director of the National Film Center of Moldova