MBB presents its annual report

by Bénédicte Prot

26/06/2007 - The 2006 Annual Report of the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg regional film fund, presented last Thursday, is more than positive. A total €26m was allocated to 245 projects for cinema and television in 2006 (compared to €22.7m and 191 projects in the previous year), resulting in a turnover of €60.3m for the MBB.

A third of the audience for German films (over 10 million moviegoers) have seen titles that have been financed by the regional fund, such as Summer in Berlin [trailer] and The Lives of Others [trailer, film focus], both of which were successful box office hits.

There was no shortage of awards either for the films supported, with a Golden Globe for Paradise Now [trailer], three Silver Bear winners at Berlin (Atomised [trailer, film focus], The Free Will, Requiem [trailer, film focus]), 15 Lolas (including for The Lives of Others and Tough Enough [trailer]).

That success continued in 2007, with an Oscar win for von Donnersmarck, a Silver Bear for Yella [trailer] and four Lolas (Four Minutes [trailer], The Counterfeiter [trailer], Hands Off Mississippi [trailer]).

As Kirsten Niehuus, who co-directs the MBB with Petra Müller, points out, the Berlin-Brandenburg region is an important centre for cinema on a national and international level. Cinema is more vibrant in the region, which in turn boosts the local economy.

In 2006, the regional fund provided backing for 54 events (awards and festivals), including the German Film Prize, the Cottbus Film Festival, the EFA (European Films Awards) and Cartoon Movie, while increasing its platforms and partners abroad.

Last year’s highlight was the launch of a promotion programme for digital media, which includes seminars and events, such as the Berlinale Keynotes (held for the first time this year at the Berlin Film Festival).

(Translated from French)