The workshop consists of two modules:
The first module includes group work sessions, one-to-one meetings with experts, research phases and individual work on projects. In addition, one or two lectures by experts are planned. The participants will develop a deeper understanding of the potential of their films, the audience that they are addressing and the positioning. Expected results for each project are a (national and international) title, a synopsis, a mood board, first ideas for a press kit, a rough marketing, festival and sales strategy and a sales pitch.
The second module takes place during the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF). It consists of one and a half days of pitching training, preparation, networking with industry professionals, meetings with high-level professionals and a half-day final pitch in presence of a panel of professionals and the public. A jury of five renowned members selects one winning project. The participants will also attend the Zurich Summit on Saturday and benefit from networking.
Barbie Heusinger
Barbie Heusinger is a freelance production, film marketing and international sales and acquisitions consultant with 15 years of work experience in the film industry in various fields. In 2018, Barbie joined the integrated world sales company Sola Media GmbH as a Sales and Acquisitions Manager and Head of Development. Prior to becoming self-employed, she joined German Films in 2006 and was responsible for the Distribution Support programme supporting releases of German feature films and documentaries in foreign countries until 2014. Additionally, she works as a script coach and as a creative producer.
Experts
Mathias Noschis
Mathias Noschis started his career at the Swiss Federal Office of Culture and has since built an international career in film marketing. He is the founder of Alphapanda, a film marketing agency with team members in Berlin, Warsaw and Geneva. Alphapanda’s client list includes 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., the European Film Awards and several independent producers, distributors and sales agents. Mathias is also a consultant for Creative Europe MEDIA and for the French CNC and a marketing expert and tutor for organisations such as Ace Producers, Locarno Industry Academy, Dok. Incubator and IFFR Lab.
Roshanak Behesht Nedjad
Roshanak began working in the film industry as a festival coordinator and production manager. In 1999, she started her first production company Flying Moon. Until 2014, they produced arthouse films, with over 30 international awards. In 2012, she ventured into Serious Games for children and won the 2016 German Computer Game Award. Under the label In Good Company / IGC Films, she started international co-productions, with an emphasis on European features, aiming to entertain on a smart level. Roshanak also works as an expert and consultant for various institutions and training organisations such as EAVE. She is a member of the German Film Academy as well as the European Film Academy.
Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson graduated with a first class honoursdegree in graphic design in 1995 in England. After initially working on book covers in publishing,Paul created many domestic and international movie posters and campaigns forthe likes of Jonathan Glazer, Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie. In 2000, Paulmoved to Denmark and established Yellow1 where he has worked as creative directorfor Scandinavian directors such as Lars Von Trier, Tomas Vinterberg, SusanneBier, Bille August and Ole Bornedal. The Yellow1 client roster includes a. o. Sony, HBO,Viaplay, DR, Warner Bros, Miso Film, Cinenord, Fremantle, TV2 (Denmark),Universal & Nordisk Film.
Additional Experts (TBA)
