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Since it was launched in October 2004 on the initiative of the Berlinale and the German Federal Cultural Foundation, the Berlinale World Cinema Fund (WCF) has been committed to the development and support of cinema in regions with a weak filmmaking infrastructure, as well as to cultural diversity in German cinemas. The WCF is a film funding project with a distinct cultural, artistic and innovative profile that has been successful in fostering international cooperation. Of course, it has played an economic role. Active throughout the year, the WCF has so far provided funding for more than 180 films and film projects.

WCF at the Berlinale 2018

The 68^th Berlinale will be screening five powerful but very different films, all of which were subsidised by the WCF. Three of them are documentaries and three were made by women directors. All five works will have their world premieres at the Berlinale.

WCF-funded films at the 2018 Berlinale:

Las herederas (The Heiresses) by Marcelo Martinessi (Competition)

O Processo (The Trial) by Maria Augusta Ramos (Panorama)

Kinshasa Makambo by Dieudo Hamadi (Panorama)

Teatro de guerra (Theatre of War) by Lola Arias (Forum)

La cama (The Bed) by Mónica Lairana (Forum)

World Cinema Fund Day: The Future Is Now – Making Things Happen

Wednesday, February 21, 10.30 am - 2.30 pm
Filmmuseum Berlin - Deutsche Kinemathek, Potsdamerstr. 2, 4^th floor
(All in English)

This year’s WCF Day will contemplate not only the future but also the concept of innovation, a defining component of the WCF’s identity. The discussion will also focus on structural and artistic innovation in the film industry in- and outside regions eligible for WCF funds. Another important topic at WCF Day will be the significance and effect of collaborations between German and European producers, on the one hand; and between producers and directors in the regions funded, on the other; as well as the future role of the WCF within the landscape of German and European funding initiatives.

Talking About Success, Innovation and Awareness

The WCF’s role and strategies in Germany, Europe, and the funding regions

Director’s Talk: Following its screening, there will be a talk about the WCF-supported film Las herederas (The Heiresses, Berlinale Competition 2018) with the director Marcelo Martinessi and other guests.

Critics’ Talk: What does innovation mean? A critical and self-critical talk about innovative cinema in- and outside the funding regions.

With Jay Weissberg (film critic, Variety, USA), Kong Rithdee (film critic, The Bangkok Post, Thailand) and Lilla Puskás (Berlinale Talent Press, Hungary)

Producers’ Talk: WCF and German partners. Co-producing cinema in funding regions of the WCF. Are we effective enough? Sharing knowledge and experience, thinking about common goals and funding structures in Germany and Europe. With Helge Albers (producer, Germany), Nicole Gerhards (producer, Germany), Gema Juárez Allen (producer, Argentina)

In co-operation with the VDFP  - Verband Deutscher Filmproduzenten e.V.

(German Producers Association)

Moderator: Vincenzo Bugno (Project Manager WCF)

With the support of Cineuropa as media partner.

WCF thanks the Robert Bosch Stiftung for supporting the World Cinema Fund Day.

The World Cinema Fund is an initiative of the German Federal Cultural Foundation and the Berlin International Film Festival, in cooperation with the German Federal Foreign Office, with further support by the Goethe-Institut. The special WCF Europe programme was launched with the support of the European Commission’s Creative Europe MEDIA programme.

Thanks to additional funding from the German Federal Foreign Office, the special WCF Africa programme was started in 2016.