Producers on the Move 2020 features Swiss producer Flavia Zanon

Traditionally, the networking event takes place in conjunction with the Festival de Cannes. This year, however, it will be a virtual edition, held independently of the film festival for the first time from May 11-15. For the 21st time, European Film Promotion offers 20 up-and-coming European producers the opportunity to present new projects and establish international contacts.

Close Up Films: a Genevan success story

Producer Flavia Zanon manages the Close Up Films production company in Geneva together with Joëlle Bertossa. Zanon and Bertossa made a name for themselves internationally with their coproduction of the documentary film ADVOCATE, with minority participation. The film celebrated its premiere in Sundance in 2019 and went on to win numerous awards at festivals, as well as making the Oscar shortlist in the Documentary Feature category.

Close Up Films produced the documentary film BIRD ISLAND by Maya Kosa and Sergio Da Costa. The film celebrated its world premiere in Locarno in 2019 and was subsequently screed at the festivals in San Sebastián, Leipzig and Montreal, among others.

This January the producer was able to celebrate the premiere of her latest minority coproduction YALDA, A NIGHT FOR FORGIVENESS by the Iranian director Massoud Bakhshi at the Sundance Film Festival. The fiction film was honoured there with the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize in the Dramatic category and subsequently screened in the Generation 14plus Competition at the Berlinale. 

Talent promotion by European Film Promotion

Based on proposals made by its member organisations, European Film Promotion EFP selects 20 up-and-coming European producers for its annual Producers on the Move programme. To qualify, these producers must already have coproduction experience and have been able to present one of their films at an A-festival. Over the course of five days, the Producers on the Move have the opportunity to network with international industry leaders and establish contacts for their coproduction projects – online this year, as an exception.

Previous Producers on the Move from Switzerland include, among others, Sereina Gabathuler (2019), Katrin Renz (2018) Ivan Madeo (2017), Joël Jent (2016), Aline Schmid (2015), Joëlle Bertossa (2013) and Max Karli (2008).

SWISS FILMS, May 12, 2020

FILMOGRAPHY (selection)

THUNDER (FOUDRE)
shooting 2020/21
by Carmen Jaquier (Switzerland)

TANZANITE
in development, 2020
by Kantarama Gahigiri (Switzerland, South Africa)

YALDA, A NIGHT FOR FORGIVENESS (2020)
by Massoud Bakhshi 
(France, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Iran)

IL MIO CORPO (2020)
by Michele Pennetta
(Switzerland, Italy ) 

THE SALT OF TEARS (2020)
by Philippe Garrel
(France, Switzerland)

ADVOCATE (2019)
by Philippe Bellaïche, Rachel Leah Jones
(Israel, Canada, Switzerland)

BIRD ISLAND (2019)
by Maya Kosa, Sergio da Costa
(Switzerland)