Miquel Curanta i Girona, Director
The Catalan Institute for Cultural Companies, the agency within the Ministry of Culture of Catalonia, supports the production, distribution and promotion of Catalan films, paying special attention to issues such as diversity, genre and sustainability. Catalan films are selected in a multitude of international festivals. We strongly believe that films can travel internationally while tackling local subjects, and that cinema is a powerful tool for cultural and identity expression. It is for this reason that we are delighted to support the European Film Academy, whose awards and activity become a perfect window for the visibility of European cinema and the development of relations between film academies.
Dominique Boutonnat, President
France has successfully created an ambitious public policy based on cultural diversity. With 57 co-production agreements and programs for supporting film directors wherever they come from, France is a friend of all cinema world-wide. Seventy years after it was founded, the CNC continues to consolidate its role as an original ecosystem, envied and even imitated in many countries. Its aim is to fund the most singular French and international artists, to regulate the film and audiovisual markets, and also to maintain and promote the memory of the cinema of the past. Through its partnership with the European Film Awards, the CNC is re-affirming its cultural ambition, that of a fraternal Europe, driven by culture. This Europe is a wonderful idea because it is a message of hope and of dialogue between cultures that resounds world-wide.
Nicola Maccanico, CEO
Cinema is part of Italy’s DNA, with its eclectic variety of languages, as we continue to see new generations emerging and making their way onto the international scene. In this context, we believe that the European Film Awards are a crucial acknowledgment for a continent that has never stopped making films. We are happy to be part of it.
Claus Ladegaard, CEO
European film is an exceptional brand. We stand strong on both quality and audience. But the battle for the audience, notably, has intensified. The market is brimming with audiovisual entertainment from the major streaming services, tempting viewers with a wealth of films and series. As backers of independent European film art, we must cherish and uphold the diversity of our histories, stories and narrative traditions. At present, much of that effort involves adapting our film economies to the digital and online reality dominated by the streaming giants. Let us ensure that they raise their contributions to maintain European film’s strong position going forward, as well. Fortunately, there are many indications that this effort is well on its way.
For over 30 years, Eurimages has been supporting a wealth of international co-productions and has made a major contribution to promoting cultural diversity through cinema. The fund encourages producers to strive for excellence in independent cinema. We are proud to be associated with the European Film Awards and to be able to honour highly talented producers who are passionate about independent cinema with the Eurimages Co-production Award.
Guy Daleiden, Managing Director
Luxembourg is a small country at the heart of Europe for whom being part of a European film family is essential. Our filmmakers benefit enormously from working and networking with their European peers, and our stories live and travel thanks to European co-production partners and our films are first and foremost European films. The Luxembourg Film Fund is therefore a proud patron to the European Film Academy. Every year, the European Film Awards champion and celebrate the best in European talent and in European co-productions. They are a window to the strength, the diversity and the vibrancy of European cinema, and year after year, they serve as a reminder of how great films can enrich our lives – as cinephiles, as individuals and as Europeans.
Film Fund Luxembourg is a public funding body. It manages the programme and mechanisms through which the Luxembourg government provides financial support to audiovisual works.
Mikael Fellenius, CEO
Film i Väst – Your Scandinavian Partner in Co-Productions
Film i Väst is one of Europe’s leading regional film funds, located on the Swedish west coast in the region of Västra Götaland. Film i Väst is active as co-producer and investor in international and Swedish film and scripted TV. Film i Väst is a proud patron to European Film Academy´s support and profiling of European film. And we are proud co-producers of this year’s nominees and winners: PLEASURE (Ninja Thyberg), LAMB (Valdimar Jóhannsson, winner of European Visual Effects for Peter Hjorth and Fredrik Nord), THE APE STAR (Linda Hambäck), THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD (Renate Reinsve, Eskil Vogt & Joachim Trier) and THE INNOCENTS (winner of European Sound for Gisle Tveito and Gustaf Berger).
Lasse Saarinen, Managing Director
Finland proudly supports diverse European cinema and the European Film Academy!
The Finnish Film Foundation supports and promotes the Finnish film industry by allocating public funding for professional film production, exhibition and distribution. The Foundation is also responsible for the festival distribution and international promotion of Finnish films and it provides statistics and information about the film industry in Finland. The Foundation was set up in 1969 and it operates under the supervision of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.
Koen Van Bockstal, CEO
European films tell us something about who we are and where we come from. They also contribute to the cultural, social and democratic values of the society in which we live today. European cinema can increase the visibility of Europe in the world, and be a perfect ambassador for promoting these values. We are therefore excited to be among the European Film Academy’s patrons.
Laufey Guðjónsdóttir, Director
The Icelandic Film Centre supports the development, production and distribution of Icelandic films and promotes film culture in Iceland. One of our most important tasks is to encourage strong ties between Icelandic filmmakers and the international film community. In recent years we have welcomed many European productions to our shores, and our own films and filmmakers have benefited enormously from collaborations with our European partners. We are proud to be a patron of the European Film Academy and we look forward to a strong and fruitful relationship well into the future.
Luís Chaby Vaz, President
ICA – Instituto do Cinema e do Audiovisual– was created in 2007, succeeding ICAM (Instituto do Cinema, Audiovisual e Multimedia). Responsible to the Ministry of Culture, ICA’s main tasks are to support production, distribution, exhibition and promotion of Portuguese cinema and audiovisual products, within the country and abroad.
Providing ongoing financial support for independent production, ICA seeks to contribute to the construction of a solid and integrated industry in Portugal.
ICA also supports the promotion of Portuguese cinema and audio-visual media in all international film festivals, as well as providing assistance to help to ensure the presence of producers at various events.
ICA is glad to support the European Film Academy and we strongly believe this is an important opportunity to promote European film among ourselves as well as outside European borders.
Anne Lajla Utsi, Managing Director
The International Sami Film Institute (ISFI) is located in the heart of Sápmi, in the North of Norway and was established in 2009. The aim is to support and strengthen Sami film production in all Nordic countries and Russia, as well as to enhance collaboration with other indigenous film environments. The International Sami Film Institute represents a watershed in Sami film production and a new generation of Sami filmmakers has emerged with the support of ISFI. ISFI has initiated several international collaborations between indigenous filmmakers such as the the Arctic Film Circle, Arctic Chills and the establishment of the Arctic Indigenous Film Fund. Recently, ISFI has collaborated with the Walt Disney Animation Studios on FROZEN 2.
Mario Azzopardi, Director, Culture Directorate
The Culture Directorate oversees the implementation of the national cultural policy, strengthens bilateral cultural relations with countries and international organizations and brings world-wide recognition to the intangible and tangible cultural heritage of Malta.
Malta has significantly increased public funding to support the cultural and creative industries. The Ministry together with the Malta Film Commission, further seek to develop the local film industry. For almost a century, Malta has been renowned for its services to international film productions. More local artists are investing in film and television productions. The Ministry and the Malta Film Commission want to give this sector a greater impetus so that Maltese film productions can compete in international festivals. It is further seeking a diversification of films exhibited with more European films featuring on local screens.
Prodromos Prodromou, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth of the Republic of Cyprus
Cyprus’ Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth is pleased to be associated with an organisation, having as its central aim to promote Europe’s film culture. I strongly believe that, by supporting the European Film Academy, we support European excellence in cinematographic works, communicate European values, as well as strengthening dialogue between different countries.
Bero Beyer, CEO
The Netherlands is home to a dynamic culture of cinematography across the entire spectrum, including outward looking fictional works by auteurs, artistic documentaries, engaging youth and children films, experimental works and animation. As the national Film Fund it is our mission to encourage and support
Dutch filmmakers engaging in international co-productions with artistic ambition and the determination to create original productions. We believe this kind of close co-operation leads to vibrant cinematographic storytelling that can resonate with international audiences, from young to old.
Dutch filmmakers are known for being open-minded, outspoken, focused and eager to work with professionals from other countries. We actively participate in both majority and minority Dutch co-productions with the aim of enhancing overall creativity and dramatically raising the artistic level of film productions.
We feel fundamentally embedded in and committed to the European film tradition and culture and as such the Fund is strongly connected to the European Film Academy. It plays a vital role in presenting and awarding European talent globally and we are honoured to be a patron.
Kjersti Mo, Director
The Norwegian Film Institute operates under the authority of the Ministry of Culture as their executive body in the film sector and advisor on film policy issues. The NFI supports the development, production and distribution of Norwegian films and games and promotes film culture in Norway as well as Norwegian films internationally. We work hard to encourage ties between Norwegian filmmakers and the international film community, and being a patron of the European Film Academy is a part of this work. But most importantly, artistic freedom and freedom of speech are important values for us, and we see that the European Film Academy is an integral part of the work to maintain this in the film community.
Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive
As the national agency for the Irish film, television drama, animation and documentary industry, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is the creative partner to the sector, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. We are inspired by original storytelling that will emotionally move audiences at home and abroad. Through a wide range of practical funding supports across development, production, distribution, promotion and skills development, Screen Ireland supports the sector at every stage. We support filmmakers in their creative pursuit to share valuable artistic, cultural and commercial stories on screen.
Michael Porseryd, CEO
Since 1919, SF Studios has been a leading Nordic film studio that has produced and distributed some of cinema’s most iconic films, like THE PHANTOM CARRIAGE, THE SEVENTH SEAL, THE EMIGRANTS, MY LIFE AS A DOG and A MAN CALLED OVE, and worked with some of the greatest talents in the business such as Ingmar Bergman, Ingrid Bergman, Greta Garbo, Carl Theodor Dreyer, Arne Sucksdorff, Jan Troell, Bo Widerberg, Lasse Hallström, Charlotte Sieling and Bille August. We are a proud patron to the European Film Academy as we believe that celebrating the artistic and entertainment qualities of European films, promotes and sustains a vital European Film industry and its global reach. SF Studios produces and distributes feature films and TV series for both local and international audiences, and provides the digital service SF Anytime. The company has its head office in Stockholm, Sweden and subsidiaries in Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki and London.
Nicola Ruffo, Director
The promotion agency SWISS FILMS with offices in Zurich and Geneva is dedicated to promoting Swiss cinema abroad and supports Swiss films and talents at festivals and markets around the world.
SWISS FILMS is partner to Swiss producers and filmmakers to develop international strategies and to establish contacts with festival delegates, sales agents and distributors. We advise buyers and festival delegates on Swiss release support schemes. With a database of almost more than 7,000 films, the agency also provides an essential source of information for international film professionals and trade publications. SWISS FILMS is funded by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture.
We are proud to be one of the European Film Academy’s patrons and honoured to contribute to Europe’s divers cinematic voices.