19/06/2015 - Films by Muldowney, Hänsel and Sombogaart were among the projects pitched at previous sessions of the Utrecht-based forum

While the 2015 edition of the Holland Film Meeting (HFM) Co-Production Platform is currently being prepared (read the news), several projects pitched at previous editions of the Utrecht-based gathering are currently in different phases of production.

Brendan Muldowney has just wrapped principal photography for Pilgrimage, after a seven-week shoot in Ireland and in the Belgian region of the Ardennes. Initially pitched at the HFM Co-Production Platform in 2012, the film, set in the 13^th century, centres on a group of monks undertaking a treacherous pilgrimage to escort a holy relic to Rome. Conor Barry and John Keville are producing it for Ireland’s Savage Productions.

While Muldowney is ready for post-production, Marion Hänsel has just begun the shoot for En amont du fleuve [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Marion Hänsel
film profile]. Pitched at the HFM Co-Production Platform last year, the film is written by Hubert Mingarelli and stars Olivier Gourmet and Sergi Lopez (see the news). The Netherlands’ SNG Film is producing the project along with Belgium’s Man’s Films and Croatia’s Kinorama.

Finally, Ben Sombogaart’s My Father’s Garden has entered production. The Barry Atsma-starring project is produced by Alain de Levita (NL Film) along with Sytze van der Laan (Nanook Entertainment). First pitched in 2009 at the Utrecht forum, the film was also part of the Berlinale Co-Production Market catalogue in 2014. Based on Jan Siebelink’s book Kneeling on a Bed of Violets – a story about a man who succumbs to religious mania, dragging his family down with him – My Father’s Garden is expected to reach Dutch screens in early 2016.

The upcoming HFM Co-Production Platform will take place from 24-27 September, in parallel with the Netherlands Film Festival (23 September – 2 October). This year’s edition will be the last to be headed by Signe Zeilich Jense, who is stepping down from the position after four years.