ACE 30 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
Application deadline: 12 June 2020
Every year ACE selects 16 to 18 experienced film producers, each with a project in development that is suitable for co-production and aimed at the international market, to take part in ACE’s annual programme of advanced training and then join the ACE Network.
In this moment of global pandemic crisis producers are confronted with unprecedented challenges and the ACE 30 programme will seek to help its participants cope with the difficulties which the industry has faced in 2020. In this time of uncertainty, the need for establishing connections, building networks and learning new ways of adapting within an ever-changing audiovisual landscape is more important than ever.
Four events make up the core of the training programme, held in four different locations. ACE is currently still preparing these workshops to be held at their respective locations, however due to the current climate, ACE is aware of the need to adapt to different forms of training if necessary.
OCTOBER – CONTENT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Pitching practice, individual meetings and group sessions analysing the concepts, dramaturgy and target audiences of producers’ projects; Plenary sessions on managing talents and maintaining creative dialogues; Discussions on marketing during the early stages of development and examining new forms and formats for audiovisual storytelling. The workshop includes an intensive course in the use of story development tools.
5th – 10th October 2020, Mallorca, Spain
NOVEMBER – FINANCING STRATEGIES WORKSHOP
Interactive sessions exploring international financing opportunities and strategies through detailed analysis of producers’ finance plans, with input provided by high-grade professionals from across the industry. A uniquely open exchange of experience and ideas which sheds light on the evolution of co-production practices, of public and private funding schemes, and of the global marketplace in the digital age.
16th – 21st November 2020, Belgrade, Serbia
APRIL – BUSINESS PROSPECTS WORKSHOP
Sessions on business growth, designed to provide producers with models of sustainable company management and ways to build businesses that have real value. Group sessions and panel discussions guide the producers through keener applications of marketing techniques and diversified commercial activities.
12th April – 14th April 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
APRIL – ACE PRODUCERS ANNUAL REUNION
Held in a different country every year over a long springtime weekend, and open to all members of the ACE Network, this event is an occasion for experienced producers to share news, knowledge, opinion and practical advice in an informal but confidential environment. Warts-and-all case-studies, roundtable discussions, insider-information sessions, and more.
15th April – 17th April 2021, Location TBD
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
• Be an owner, partner or associate of an independent production company;
• Have been the delegate producer (i.e. the principal responsible producer) of at least one theatrically-released feature film;
• Have a fiction feature film project in development which is designed to attract international finance and distribution – ideally in the form of a first draft screenplay or long treatment;
• Be available and make a commitment to attend a selection interview during the first week of September, the Content Development Workshop (October), the Financing Strategies Workshop (November), the Business Prospects Workshop and the Annual Reunion (both in April).
APPLY
If you are considering applying, please contact producers liaison Al Williams to organise an online meeting.
Contact: alwilliams@ace-producers.com
Producers will be informed if they have been shortlisted on the basis of their written application before the end of July 2020.
Visit the Workshops section of the ACE website for more information on the programme and application process.