VGF — Inter­na­tion­al Pro­duc­ers Pro­gramme

VGF - DFFB International Producers Programme

The International Producers Programme adds to the production studies, especially in the main course of study, preparing production students specifically for international markets and the time after graduation. The programme includes seminars and workshops with international experts from the film industry, networks and excursions to important European film festivals and mentoring to facilitate the transition between studying and working. In all areas, the aim is to engage in dialogue with established filmmakers in order to sharpen and question one's own profile as a producer.

The International Producers Programme consists of the following components:

1. seminars and workshops

With the seminars and workshops we offer an in-depth knowledge of the global film industry, the value chains and new developments in the areas of production, sales/distribution and markets. We invite internationally active experts from the film industry, who use case studies to explain how to deal with larger budgets for international productions and teach new ways of financing and exploitation. It is always important for production students to be open and curious about the different positions and working methods and to draw conclusions for their own work.

2. Mentoring and practical experience

In their final year, all production students are assigned a mentor who works in the German film industry. The students receive individual support and guidance with regard to their final film and their future career. Mentors in the last two years have included Sergei Loznitsa, Anke Greifeneder, Carolin Ann Renninger, Jonas Dornbach, Marie Kjellson, Peter Rommel.

3. international forum and important markets

In addition to a sound knowledge of the craft of producing, it is particularly important for production students to know the festival landscape in order to evaluate their films in the best possible way and to establish personal contacts with festival organisers, distributors and other producers. At the festivals, the main focus is on exchanging ideas with other filmmakers and networking. The different markets are important, as is knowing why you should submit one film here and another there.

What challenges do producers face today in distributing their films? What are the new exploitation options and which partners are the right ones for my film? What European trends are there and how do I position myself and my projects?

4. excursions to festivals

We offer excursions to various festivals, such as IFFR Rotterdam, Festival de Cannes, Festival de San Sebastian or DOK Leipzig.

We also enable production students to travel to other film festivals in addition to the joint festival trips if the films they have produced are shown there. It is important to market your own film at festivals and make contacts for further work.

The International Producers Programme is made possible by the generous support of the VGF.