The 10th edition of the European Genre Forum, the only European training programme for up and coming genre filmmakers, will present its eight projects from eight production countries during the final lab in Tallinn. For the first time, one of the projects will receive an award of 25,000 euros, consisting of one day rental of an LED stage, preceded by one day of pre-lighting for the production of a selected film. 

The award, presented by a virtual production studio ATM VIRTUAL, will be handed out to the project that could use the virtual production services the best. 

“We are thrilled to add a prize to the programme where it has a strong impact. European Genre Forum is supporting the emerging genre and fantasy filmmakers for whom it is often difficult to match the needs of the project with the first-film-budget,” says Marge Liiske, the head of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event. “It also helps the producers to take advantage of the benefits of virtual production, enabling them to explore cutting-edge technical developments and to realize the creative possibilities these technologies bring to genre cinema”.

Radosława Bardes, the managing director of ATM VIRTUAL believes the future of filmmaking lies in empowering visionary creators with cutting-edge technology, and the European Genre Forum is a platform that champions innovation in the industry. “By partnering with EGF, we’re giving genre filmmakers the tools to push the boundaries of storytelling with virtual production, providing them with access to resources that can turn their bold ideas into reality. We’re excited to support emerging talent and help shape the next generation of genre cinema,” he adds.

The project selection of the 10th European Genre Forum brings together projects from various genres including dystopian sci-fi, folk horror, thriller, fantasy, psychological drama, mystery and supernatural stories combined with drama are reshaped in the projects of up-and-coming producers and directors. As usual, the projects present a broad geographic spread, with eight production countries represented. 

European Genre Forum 2024 projects include:

• Elle – Maya Korn - producer | Adva Reichman - director (Germany)
• Godling - Ashley Horner - director (United Kingdom)
• Monstro - Laura Doval - producer (Spain)
• Inheritance – Stanislav Bytiutskyi - director, screenwriter | Inna Lastochkina - producer (Ukraine, Ireland)
• Neighbour - Oskar Lehemaa - director, screenwriter | Evelin Penttilä - producer (Estonia)
• The Dark Architect – Ilkka Matila - producer | Risto Tuo

Alien: Romulus (Fede Alvarez, 2024) 4 out of 5 stars With a chilling new take on Evil Dead and the fresh and original Don’t Breathe under his belt, director Fede Alvarez now tackles one of the most acclaimed sci-fi horror franchises in cinema. Alien: Romulus squeezes itself in on the timeline between the original Alien […]

Longlegs (Oz Perkins, 2024) 4 out of 5 stars Arriving in time to deliver a cool thrill during the hot summer, director Oz Perkins’ Longlegs is one of the best horror films to incorporate crime and drama into its principal story since The Silence of the Lambs. The movie is chilling at times, surreal at […]

This movie by the director, Nebal Shafi, is a masterpiece. However, it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. You need to be strong and love thriller movies to be able to sit and watch this masterpiece. The movie revolves around two artists. One of the artists is successful and is the source of inspiration for her. However, what meets the eye is far from the truth. In this movie, the inspiration turns out to be a nightmare, which is a shocker. As the saying goes, ‘all that glitters isn’t gold’, the same holds true for this movie. The life of a successful painter is not all rosy, and in fact, dark elements are unbearable when the truth comes out in the open.

Nebal Shafi is a fanatic director, as he comes up with thrillers that will send a chill down your spine. This thriller is sure to amaze you, and the twist and turn of fate are definitely going to be a treat for the viewer. The actors do an amazing job of making the thriller worth watching. Inspired is definitely an inspiring story, and the method of storytelling by the director is truly amazing. The psychological thriller, Inspired is a wonderful short film but not for someone who is sensitive and can’t bear to watch thrillers. However, if you are game for surprising things and love to watch stuff that is out of the box and can get you thinking, then Inspired is the best movie for you.

However, when you watch the movie, the fun fact is that almost everyone is inspired by someone or another. Jane, who is the successful painter, is inspired by serial killers, while the struggling artist Aaron is inspired by Jane, not knowing the real picture behind the picture-perfect success she flaunts. However, when Aaron comes to know the reality of Jane, things take a turn, and the character undergoes a major transformation. As Aaron is inspired by Jane, he expects everything to be perfect in her life. He has a fanboy impression of her, but reality strikes hard, and Aaron faces the real picture of Jane, who is nothing like what he had imagined and thought of.

Aaron and Jane are two sides of the same coin, and their lives get entwined together as Aaron decides to follow Jane to know the reason behind her inspiration. While Aaron himself is inspired and smitten by Jane’s glory and success, reality hits very differently. Although the story does resonate with what the director Nebal once faced, it is in no way personal or related. The director pays homage to certain characters who have profoundly influenced his life, and in this movie, he explores the complexities of human psychology and the personalities of the characters. The thriller is definitely a fulfilling endeavor, and the characters play a wonderful role in bringing out the raw emotions.

This short film is crafted in such a way that it will leave a lasting impact on the minds of the audience. The movie is thoughtful and unique, and the unexpected turn of events makes it a must-watch. The director is excellent at bringing out the best in his actors, and the dialogue delivery, movement of the characters, and portrayal of emotions are precise and to the point. The only downside is that it’s a short movie; the film needed to be long as it w

Highland Film Group Handling Worldwide Sales

Cannes, France (May 15, 2024) – Jeffrey Dean Morgan (AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” Zach Snyder’s The Watchmen), Famke Janssen (MGM/UA’s GoldenEye, 20th Century Fox’s XMen and Taken), Naomi Battrick (Amazon’s “Jamestown” and “A Very English Scandal”) and Denis O'Hare (FX’s “American Horror Story,” Focus Features’ Dallas Buyers Club) are set to star in the crime-thriller The Postcard Killer, it was announced today. The sequel to The Postcard Killings, the film is directed by Renny Harlin (20th Century Fox’s Die Hard 2, Columbia TriStar’s Cliffhanger, Lionsgate’s The Strangers: Chapter 1) and written by Luke Garrett, based on the N.Y. Times #1 Best Selling novel of the same name by acclaimed authors James Patterson (‘Along Came a Spider’) and Liza Marklund (‘The Bomber’).

The Postcard Killer is produced by Miriam Segal (City of Lies starring Johnny Depp and Forrest Whitaker, The Infiltrator starring Bryan Cranston and Diane Kruger) of Good Films Collective and executive produced by James Patterson, Bill Robinson, Patrick Santa, Kia Jam, Roman Kopelevich, Ricardo Neri and Vladimir Artemenko, JP Pettinato, Johanna Harlin and Highland Film Group.

Highland Film Group is co-financing the film and handling worldwide rights, launching sales at the Marché du Film in Cannes. Production is set to start on the The Postcard Killer this fall on location in London, Madrid, Florence and Latvia. The first film, The Postcard Killings, started streaming on Netflix in January and was one of the streamers’ most watched films (original or licensed), peaking at #1 for multiple days.

“Every page of this screenplay is channeling Hitchcock and Brian de Palma. This is the genre I’ve loved since childhood. Our sexy European locations will provide a backdrop for a visual feast. With our first rate cast I know that we will create a spellbinding thriller,” commented director Renny Harlin.

“We are pleased to be reunited with the production team that succeeded so well with the original film,” added James Patterson.

“We are delighted to team up again with the brilliant Renny Harlin who is the ideal director to helm this new chilling story drawn from James Patterson and Liza Marklund's iconic characters,” said Highland Film Group CEO Arianne Fraser. “Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Famke Janssen will return to embody the multi-faceted protagonists they originated in this tense cross country race against time. The Postcard Killer promises an edge-of-the-seat experience filled with stellar locations and we are eager to see this crime-thriller brought to life this fall,” added Highland Film Group COO Delphine Perrier.

In the chilling sequel to The Postcard Killings, NYPD detective Jacob Kanon (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) faces new terror. Haunted by his daughter's murder, Jacob is thrust back into the fray when his ex-wife Valerie (Famke Janssen) is kidnapped by a new “Postcard Killer,” who is on a brutal murder spree across Europe. The case spirals when Jacob confronts his old nemesis, Simon Haysmith (Denis O’Hare), to track down the elusive criminal and initiate a manhunt. With only cryptic postcards for clues, Jacob must navigate a deadly maze to decipher the killer’s vengeful plot and rescue Valerie, before she becomes the next victim of the reborn fine art killer.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan most recently, reprised his role of Negan in the spin-off series “Dead City,” following the conclusion of “The Walking Dead.”  Additionally, Morgan will be joining the cast of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Boys” in the highly anticipated fourth season. Other recent projects include Friday Night in with

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Rick Prickett, Competition Director

858-779-9544

BestShorts.net

Info@BestShorts.net

La Jolla, CA, April 2024 – The Best Shorts Competition is proud to announce the latest winners. The Best Shorts Competition puts filmmakers first and provides a direct opportunity for recognition and publicity for high quality productions. It is international in scope and has granted awards to producers in Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Mauritius, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

Paul Hendy (United Kingdom), The Choice, Film Short – Paul Hendy’s astute direction brings depth to “The Choice,” a haunting psychological drama about a famous TV personality whose life unravels when confronted by a mysterious visitor. Rita Simons (EastEnders, The Krays) delivers a powerful performance, while BAFTA-nominee Alex Macqueen’s portrayal of pure evil adds chilling depth. The film keeps audiences guessing until the end, making it a compelling and relevant story that explores themes of favoritism, identity, and the consequences of our choices. BAFTA-winner Whitnall’s compelling script, coupled with Hendy’s nuanced direction, creates a captivating narrative that lingers long after the credits roll.

Marko Bosanac (Serbia), New Idea, Animation – A whimsical animated short that dives into the inner workings of creativity. Pensilio, Loopito, and Lensio, embodying creativity, research, and production, embark on a quest for a new idea. Their journey is fraught with obstacles mirroring the creative process – from distractions to self-doubt. The twist comes as the adventure unfolds within a teenage girl’s mind, adding layers to the narrative. With utterly charming characters, brilliant animation and universal themes, “New Idea” is a delightful exploration of creativity’s complexities, leaving audiences inspired and uplifted.

Jaclyn Lehrer (USA), Johnny Johnny, Film Short – A darkly comedic short follows a homeless comedian seeking revenge on those he deems unfunny. It delves into friendship and resilience in a society overlooking those in need. Lehrer’s deft direction blends humor with shocking twists, challenging stereotypes. Engaging performances by Sencere Tucker and Alexandria Sanders add dep

The Canadian actor, director, screenwriter and producer Xavier Dolan will be the President of the Un Certain Regard Jury of the 77th Festival de Cannes. He will be joined by French-Senegalese screenwriter and director Maïmouna Doucouré, Moroccan director, screenwriter and producer Asmae El Moudir, German-Luxembourg actress Vicky Krieps, and American film critic, director, and writer Todd McCarthy. They will be in charge of awarding prizes for the Un Certain Regard section, which showcases art and discovery films by young auteurs.

This year, 18 films have been selected, including 8 first films. The 2023 Un Certain Regard top prize went to director Molly Manning Walker's debut feature How to Have Sex.

When the Light Breaks by Rúnar Rúnarsson will open the Un Certain Regard section on Wednesday May 15, 2024.

Xavier Dolan © Shayne Laverdière / Maïmouna Doucouré © Sacha Meric / Todd McCarthy © Rebecca Sapp / Vicky Krieps © Virgile Guinard / Asmae El Moudir © Ammar Abd Rabbo

 
XAVIER DOLAN - President

Actor, director, screenwriter, producer

Canada

© Shayne Laverdière

An actor since the age of four, Xavier Dolan directed and starred in his first feature film, I Killed my Mother, which was a big hit at the Directors' Fortnight in 2009. This was followed by Heartbeats and Laurence Anyways, presented at the Festival de Cannes in 2010 and 2012 at Un Certain Regard, where they were enthusiastically received. In 2013, Tom at the Farm was screened at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the FIPRESCI Prize. With Mommy, he is awarded several prizes, including the Jury Prize at the 2014 Festival de Cannes and the César for Best Foreign Film. Grand Prize winner at the 2016 Festival de Cannes with It’s Only the End of the World, he returns to Competition with Matthias & Maxime in 2019. After a few notable roles with other filmmakers, such as his performance in Xavier Giannoli's Lost Illusions in 2021, for which he was nominated for a César for Best Supporting Actor, in 2022 he directed the series The Night Logan woke up. Xavier Dolan was a member of the Jury in 2015, and now chairs the Un Certain Regard Jury.

 
MAÏMOUNA DOUCOURÉ

Screenwriter, director

France, Senegal

© Sacha Meric

Her first professional short film, Maman(s), was selected for nearly 200 festivals around the world and won more than 60 awards, including the Jury Prize at Sundance, the Best Film Award in Toronto and the 2017 César for Best Short Film. In 2019, Maïmouna Doucouré receives the Gold Fellowship Award from the Academy of Motion Pictures. Released in 2020, Cuties, her first feature film, wins the Best Director Award at Sundance and a Special Mention from the International Generation Jury in Berlin. The film's lead actress, Fathia Youssouf, won the César for Best Actress. Her second feature-length film, Hawa, produced in 2022 with Prime Vidéo, was also presented in Toronto. Maïmouna Doucouré is currently working on her next feature film about the legendary Joséphine Baker.