28/08/2020 - The programme is ready to welcome creative teams that are developing their first or second feature-film projects, with a deadline set for 9 September

Following a series of successful editions, Feature Launch, the MIDPOINT Institute's programme dedicated to supporting writers, directors, producers, and aspiring script consultants, probably needs little introduction. For its 2021 edition, the programme is scouting up-and-coming talents who are developing their first or second feature films, and it has now announced its call for projects. Despite the recent challenges of the past months, the mission of the programme remains the same: support the development process as well as European filmmakers.

Danijel Hočevar, MIDPOINT Feature Launch Head of Studies and Slovenian film producer (Vertigo) comments: “As the physical productions (shootings) of films were completely stopped, filmmakers and producers focused more on development, financing and postproduction, those parts of production which could be done by a smaller number of crew members and are easier to control. The online environment became useful and user-friendly, we all adapted to it very quickly. Filmmaking is facing a lot of challenges since the pandemic. Both young and experienced filmmakers are struggling with the development of their projects, even more so than in the ‘regular’ times. Therefore, the importance of training programs immeasurably grew in the past few years and the last few months are no exception. As a training program dedicated to emerging filmmakers and producers, we’ll continue our work of advising our participants on their projects (with the workshop organised as a physical, online or hybrid event) by giving them access to the knowledge and experience of our trainers and tutors. I'm sure we'll overcome all possible obstacles and soon attend the screenings of fresh and new films, developed with the support of Feature Launch!”

Regarding the experience from the last edition, Sona Morgenthalova, Feature Launch Programme Coordinator, explains: “Thanks to the help and support of our industry partners and friends, we at the MIDPOINT Institute were able to keep going, start thinking out of the box, and adjust our training methodology to this unprecedented situation which struck the film industry like a bolt from the blue. When filmmakers ask me about our programs and what to expect, I always start with the explanation that the basis of our methodology lies in creative collaboration. The past few months proved that it is not just an empty phrase and that bonding and expanding your network could help you immensely not only on the creative side but also with the mere survival of your business.”

As every year, nine projects, along with three script consultant trainees, will be selected to go through an intensive four-module programme, spanning over a year, and if everything goes as planned it will consist of two residential workshops, a project showcase and a follow-up session.

Morgenthalova adds, regarding possible changes: “As the situation is still pretty unpredictable, I cannot promise that the 2021 edition will happen entirely in residence, despite the fact that it is our biggest hope. In the best-case scenario, we will launch the program in January in Trieste, Italy, continue with the April workshop in Trnava, Slovakia, and finish in the Czech Republic with the project showcase within the Karlovy Vary IFF. Of course, we would like to make use of our recent online experience and partially incorporate it into the onsite training. In the worst case scenario, we are ready to help the selected projects with their script and project development online or in a hybrid version of the Feature Launch program.”

The deadline for applications is 9 September 2020. For more information, click here.