Cineuropa gives homage to Isabelle Obadia

by Cineuropa

19/06/2012 - It’s with deep sadness that the Cineuropa team has learnt of Isabelle Obadia’s death on June 17 after a long battle against cancer. Isabelle was 47 years old.

In 2008, Isabelle joined the Europa Distribution network and Cineuropa’s general assembly. Europa Distribution then had about fifty members. Thanks to her commitment, and together with Adeline Monzier, Europa Distribution’s co-founder, the association then became an indispensable player in the European film sector as well as a lively, dynamic network.

"We also founded a company, Black Rabbit Film, to bring to light the projects that we were passionate about, and notably to develop bridges between American and Mediterranean independent cinema and the European market," said her friend and colleague Adeline Monzier. "Isabelle was an incredible woman. She was passionate about her work, but also knew how to enjoy the small and big moments of happiness in life, and to make time for each of her friends and colleagues. Isabelle was one of these whole, humane, and committed people that one is happy to have met during one’s life. When she became ill, she confronted it with courage and dignity that demand respect. After months of fighting the cancer, she was still as positive, glowing, and radiant physically as she had always been.”

"I was very moved by Isabelle’s death,” said Valerio Caruso, director of Cineuropa. "Isabelle was a woman with boundless energy who loved life, an exceptional woman who creates bonds between people and different worlds. We were in the middle of preparing a seminar in Jordan with several distributors from the Mediterranean. Her image, her smile, and her good humour will stay with us.”

(Translated from French)