In 2021, the Academy of Moving People and Images (AMPI) and the Berlinale-European Film Market: Fiction Toolbox Programme started their partnership supported by the Goethe-Institut Finnland and as part of this collaboration AMPI alumna Jelica Jerenic participated the programme in 2022 . In 2023, the participation in EFM and the trip to Berlinale was supported by AVEK.
The recipient of the Fiction Tool Box program in 2023 was AMPI alumna Mariia Solodiankina. The selection committee consisted of AMPI advisory board members Tellervo Kalleinen and Sasha Huber and founder & artistic director of AMPI, Erol Mintaş.
The European Film Market is one of the top three meeting places of the international film and media industries. Its close links with the Berlinale as a public film festival, and defining characteristics of the Berlinale’s film market.
The participant receives accreditation to the European Film Market (EFM) and access to the Fiction ToolBox programme, which consists of consultant meetings with feedback on projects and strategic planning for networking at the EFM, as well as organizational and logistical advice on the EFM from the coordinators. Fiction Toolbox is an immersive program of focused workshops with experienced tutors on the following topics: Development strategy: packaging your project, A to Z of Pitches, Funding initiatives for underrepresented film creatives, Sales & Distribution, Marketing & PR, Impact Producing, etc.
The filmmaker who is selected among AMPI alumni for the programme, after their attendance, shares their experience with the entire AMPI community by writing a reflection article and giving a presentation about the programme and their experience during the programme. You can read the reflection article of the first AMPI Alumna at EFM Jelica Jerinic here.
The second AMPI Alumna at EFM: Mariia Solodiankina with her first feature film ‘Notes on Future’’.
Mariia Solodiankina is a Helsinki-based photographer, film-maker and cinematographer, alumni of Academy of Moving People and Images. In her art she is reflecting on ideas of ecofeminism and protopian future, exploring the topics of gender inequality and climate crisis, focusing on befriending technology and a sustainable future, acknowledging the biases, and proposing creative solutions to spread awareness.
Read about Mariia’s experience at EFM Fiction Toolbox below.
Reflection Article by Mariia Solodiankina
In 2023, I had the opportunity to apply for and participate in the invaluable Fiction Toolbox Programme, as part of the partnership between the Academy of Moving People and Images (AMPI) and Berlinale-European Film Market (EFM)’s Diversity and Inclusion initiative. This programme is designed to provide fiction filmmakers with market intelligence, connections, and a kit of transferable business know-how to help them navigate the complex world of the film industry.
AMPI OPEN CALL
I learned about the Fiction Toolbox programme through the AMPI Open Call which was sent to all AMPI alumni. To apply for the programme, I needed to have a feature film in the earliest stage of development and at least one scene from the script, treatment, visual approach, production notes, and a director’s statement. Once I submitted my application, I received an invitation to an interview with the jury board consisting of AMPI advisory board members-Tellervo Kalleinen and Sasha Huber, and AMPI’s founder and artistic director-Erol Mintaş, who listened to my project and asked me questions. A few days later, I received confirmation that I had been selected for the programme as an AMPI alumna.
Right after notification, AMPI suggested that I apply for funding from AVEK to cover the costs of my trip to Berlin for the program. I was delighted to learn that I was eligible for a grant for the internationalization of art, which would cover my participation fee, airplane tickets, and hotel stay in Berlin. I immediately began the application process, and with the help of the AMPI team, I put together a strong application that highlighted the value of the AMPI & EFM Fiction Toolbox Program and its potential impact on my career as a filmmaker. A few weeks later, I received the exciting news that my application had been successful, and I would be receiving the grant to cover my expenses for the program.
PRIOR TO EFM
As part of the Fiction Toolbox programme, I was immersed in two weeks of intensive online workshops. With three classes per day, catering to different time zones, I joined the morning group for my region. Some of the classes repeated for different time zones, while others were unique, but all the topics covered were incredibly fascinating. On some days from 9 am to 1 am, I was engaged in learning and absorbing new knowledge. While some classes were shared with the Documentary Toolbox programme, such as the Co-productions session, most were exclusive to our fiction group of around 10-15 people. The experience was truly enriching and allowed me to get to know other sides of the industry such as specific animation films, different funding opportunities, community, casting, coproductions, sales and distribution.
Here is an example of sessions happening:
I also had two individual sessions with the mentor where I received feedback, suggestions, and reviews of my pitch deck. The consultant was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable and answered all my questions and helped me to create a strategy how to navigate the EFM.
One of the highlights of the prior to EFM experience was attending two Mix and Mingle sessions, where participants were grouped together to introduce themselves to one another. These sessions provided an opportunity to meet new people in the industry, both within and outside of the Fiction Toolbox programme. Through these sessions, I learned about the online networking events that happen for industry professionals every month around the world. Although I was initially hesitant, I am eager to take part in these events and continue expanding my network.
DURING THE EFM
Once in Berlin, I was given a badge that allowed me to visit both the EFM and the film festival. As part of the Toolbox programme, we all met in one room and had an opening introduction circle and were also given a tour of the different EFM venues. We first visited Martin-Gropius-Bau, which housed the stands of most countries participating in the EFM. It was an opportunity to see the variety of films, projects, and ideas presented by different countries. Another venue we visited was the Marriott Hotel, which was an excellent place for networking and sampling food from various countries. It was fascinating to taste the different cuisines and discuss film projects with industry professionals from all over the world. As an EFM toolbox participant, we had the privilege of having our room in the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation. It was an excellent space for networking, especially the café and the library. The meditation room was also available for those who needed a quiet space to recharge. Additionally, the conference room was a hub for many discussions and sessions, which was an opportunity to exchange ideas and insights with other industry professionals. All the venues were within walking distance of each other near the Potsdamer Platz, where we could find additional venues and activities related to the EFM.
Having the market badge gave me access to various industry sessions, screenings, and talks, while the festival badge allowed me to watch five movies, including the opening ceremony. The best part was the Q&A sessions with the filmmakers after some of the screenings. It was truly inspiring to hear about their thought processes, inspirations, and experiences in the film industry. I found it to be an excellent opportunity to learn from other directors and gain new insights into the art of filmmaking.
Each day during the market, I kicked off my mornings by tuning into the day-to-day EFM podcast (you can find it on Spotify). It provided valuable insights and updates on the latest happenings at the market, such as deals made, industry opinions, and buzz-worthy films. Throughout the day, I made it a priority to attend three to four industry sessions, including the planned toolbox activities, and had scheduled meetings with festival representatives, funds, and other industry professionals. The evenings were reserved for networking events with either the toolbox participants or other industry insiders. Although I aimed to catch a few festival films each night, the size of Berlin sometimes made it challenging to arrive at the screening locations, which could be up to an hour away.
Here is the schedule of the industry sessions:
And here is the schedule of Toolbox sessions:
During the EFM, I was fortunate enough to attend several pitching sessions that provided great insight into the current state of the film industry. One of these sessions was presented by the Berlinale Talents programme, showcasing a number of exciting fictional projects in development. Another session featured fiction feature projects from around the world that used AI to predict their target audience, revenue, and suggested cast based on the script. I also had the opportunity to meet with a producer from the Baltics who introduced me to her project and other projects in development. Additionally, I attended a pitching session focused on tech projects in film, which showcased innovative tools such as a platform for managing extras and a programme to create visual storyboards based on the script. These experiences provided valuable insights into the cutting-edge tools and techniques being developed in the industry.
One of the most fascinating topics for me was Virtual Reality. One of my toolbox colleagues made a VR experience, and it was interesting to see how it’s gaining traction in the film industry. Many film festivals now have special sections for VR projects.
AFTER EFM
After EFM, we had a final call with all toolbox members to gather feedback and exchange contacts. We also created a WhatsApp group, where we share links to applications and useful information. Additionally, I had a final call with my consultant, where we reviewed my experience and created a plan for what to do next.
Overall, the EFM Fiction Toolbox program provided me with an incredible experience and a clear understanding of the film industry from different perspectives. I learned a lot about new movements and hot topics, and most importantly, I met some amazing people who helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Presentation about Mariia’s experience took place at Goethe Institute on 09.05. Photos by Mariangela Pluchino
