16/03/2021 - The new European co-production market is dedicated to films that intend to make a positive impact, and will feature 15 projects during the upcoming Le Temps Presse Festival

Director Laëtitia Colombani, who is taking part with her French-Italian-Canadian project The Braid

The tenth edition of the Le Temps Presse Festival, which this year is running from 6-11 April, is introducing a new industry initiative called Cinema For Change. Taking place entirely digitally on 7 and 8 April, this European co-production market is dedicated to films that intend to make a positive impact, and a total of 15 projects will have the chance to be presented.

In detail, over 90 projects were submitted for the first edition of Cinema For Change, and the lucky 15 selected come from 12 different European countries. They also vary in terms of format and genre, as there are six fiction features, five documentaries, one animated film and three documentary series. Also, the directors’ backgrounds are mixed, as almost 40% of the films are by first-time filmmakers, including French actress Aïssa Maïga’s documentary. Meanwhile, works by established filmmakers include Wim Wenders’ new documentary, and German writer-director Pia Marais’ and French actress-writer Laëtitia Colombani’s new fiction projects.

These 15 projects with content focusing on making a social, societal or environmental impact will be presented to a professional audience bringing together producers, distributors, broadcasters, sales agents and funders from the European industry, as well as financial investors and structures from "outside the industry" that are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals. In the coming days, the full schedule of the pitching sessions, round-tables and master classes will be unveiled.

Here is the complete selection of the projects selected for Cinema For Change 2021:

Fiction projects

Beach - Vibeke Muasya (Denmark)
Producer: Lene Børglum (Space Rocket Nation)

In a Better World [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Émilie Frèche (France)
Producer: Laetitia Galitzine (Chapka Films)

I Will Not Starve [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Umberto Spinazzola (Italy/Canada/Poland)
Producer: Alessandro Borrelli (La Sarraz Pictures), Natasha Semone Vassell (Diva Film Productions), Aneta Zagórska (Krakow Film Kluster)

The Braid - Laëtitia Colombani (France/Italy/Canada)
Producers: Marc Missonnier (Curiosa Films), Olivier Delbosc (Moana Films)

Transamazonia - Pia Marais (France/Germany)
Producer: Sophie Erbs (Cinéma Defacto)

Un Rêve D'Enfant Étoilé - Cédric Ido (France)
Producer: Laurence Lascary (De l’Autre Côté du Périph’)

Documentary projects

Marcher Sur L’Eau - Aïssa Maïga (France/Belgium)
Producers: Yves Darondeau (Bonne Pioche Cinema), Jean-François Camilleri (Echo Studio)

Peace By Peace - Wim Wenders (Germany)
Producer: Léa Germain (Road Movies)

The Future Is Now - Frédéric Choffat (Switzerland)
Producer: Joëlle Bertossa (Close-up Films)

Head and Heart - Ainhoa Andraka (Spain)
Producer: Cristina Hergueta (Doxa Producciones)

The Zimov Hypothesis - Denis Sneguirev (France/Russia/Belgium/USA)
Producer: Caroline Roussel (Arturo Mio), 13 Productions, Take Five, Ethnofund

Animation project

Allah N’est Pas Obligé - Zaven Najjar (France/Luxembourg/Belgium/USA)
Producer: Sébastien Onomo (Special Touch Studios)

Documentary series

Fashionscapes - Andrew Morgan (UK/Italy)
Producer: Livia Firth (Eco-Age)

Méditerranea - Frédéric Fougea (France/Spain/Germany)
Producer: Gilles Dufraisse (Boréales)

Voyages En Autistan - Guy Beauché (France)
Producer: Emmanuel Priou (Bonne Pioche)