Nathalie Scholten

FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Nathalie Scholten is the Finance and Development Director at ACE Producers, taking on the role in January 2023.

Nathalie has worked for several international film festivals such as IDFA and Cinekid and as a project manager at the Netherlands Film Fund. Recently she worked as a finance director for art festivals. She studied Audio Visual media at the HKU and Work- and Organizational Psychology at the VU in Amsterdam.

Dymme Plomp

EVENTS PRODUCER

Dymme is a freelance producer and project manager at various cultural organisations and film festivals.
He has worked for five years at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, where he has organised various (inter)national talent development programmes for filmmakers. At Eye Filmmuseum he was coordinator of the youth platform MovieZone. As a freelance project manager he now works for various clients, including ACE Producers and FilmForward.

Thijs van der Laak

EVENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Thijs joined ACE Producers in March 2023 as Events and Communications Coordinator. Before that, he was the coordinator of Cinekid for Professionals at Cinekid Festival for more than 6 years, where he managed their talent development programmes, amongst other things. In various freelance roles, he also worked for International Film Festival Rotterdam & CineMart, Netherlands Film Festival and Go Short.

ACE Producers’ Films at Cannes 2023

OFFICIAL SELECTION – COMPETITION

ABOUT DRY GRASSES by Nuri Bilge CEYLAN
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany),
Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany) and Nadir Öperli (ACE Turkey)

ANATOMY OF A FALL by Justine TRIET
Produced by David Thion (ACE France)

CLUB ZERO by Jessica HAUSNER
Co-produced by Per Damgaard Hansen (ACE Denmark)

FALLEN LEAVES by Aki KAURISMAKI
Produced by Misha Jaari (ACE Finland)

FOUR DAUGHTERS by Kaouther BEN HANIA
Produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha (ACE France)
Co-produced by Thanassis Kharathanos (ACE Germany)

YOUTH (SPRING) by WANG Bing
Produced by Vincent Wang (ACE France)
Co-produced by Gilles Chanial (ACE Luxemburg)
and Denis Vaslin (ACE The Netherlands)

LA CHIMERA by Alice ROHRWACHER
Produced by Carlo Cresto Dina (ACE Italy)

KIDNAPPED by Marco BELLOCCHIO
Produced by Simone Gattoni (ACE Italy),
co-produced by Viola Fügen (ACE Germany)

OFFICIAL SELECTION – SPECIAL SCREENINGS

LE THÉORÈME DE MARGUERITE by Anna NOVION
Co-produced by Milena Poylo (ACE France)

LITTLE GIRL BLUE by Mona ACHACHE
Produced by Yaël Fogiel (ACE France)

OCCUPIED CITY by Steve MCQUEEN
Produced by Floor Onrust (ACE The Netherlands)

OFFICIAL SELECTION – CANNES PREMIÈRE

LE TEMPS D’AIMER by Katell QUILLÉVÉRÉ
Produced by David Thion (ACE France) and Philippe Martin (ACE France)
Co-produced by Jean-Yves Roubin (ACE Belgium)

LOST IN THE NIGHT by Amat ESCALANTE
Produced by Nicolás Celis (ACE Mexico)
Co-produced by Viola Fügen (ACE Germany), Eva Jakobsen (ACE Denmark),
Leontine Petit (ACE Netherlands), Erik Glijnis (ACE Netherlands)

EUREKA by Lisandro ALONSO
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) and Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

OFFICIAL SELECTION – UN CERTAIN REGARD

GOODBYE JULIA by Mohamed KORDOFANI
Co-produced by Marc Irmer (ACE France)

HOW TO HAVE SEX by Molly MANNING WALKER
Executive producer: Giorgos Karnavas (ACE Greece)

LES MEUTES by Kamal LAZRAQ
Co-produced by Diana Elbaum (ACE Belgium)

LOS DELINCUENTES by Rodrigo MORENO
Co-produced by Bruno Bettati (ACE Chile),
Gilles Chanial (ACE Luxemburg), Hernan Musaluppi (ACE Argentina)

OMEN by Baloji
Co-produced by Sébastien Onomo (ACE France)

THE SETTLERS by Felipe GÁLVEZ
Co-produced by Eva Jakobsen (ACE Denmark), Emily Morgan (ACE UK) and Ingmar Trost (ACE Germany)

SIMPLE COMME SYLVAIN by Monia CHOKRI
Produced by Sylvain Corbeil (ACE Canada)

UNE NUIT by Alex LUTZ
Co-produced by Jacques-Henri Bronckart (ACE Belgium)

QUINZAINE DES CINÉASTES

SHE IS CONANN by Bertrand MANDICO
Produced by Gilles Chanial (ACE Luxembourg)
Co-produced by Olivier Dubois (ACE Belgium)

SEMAINE DE LA CRITIQUE

LEVANTE by Lillah HALLA
Co-produced by Claire Charles-Gervais (ACE France)

LOST COUNTRY by Vladimir PERISIC
Co-produced by Ankica Juric Tilic (ACE Croatia)

TIGER STRIPS by Amanda NELLE U
Co-produced by Fran Borgia (ACE Singapore),
Ellen Havenith (ACE The Netherlands) and Jakob Weydemann (ACE Germany)

VINCENT MUST DIE by Stéphan CASTANG
Co-produced by Jean-Yves Roubin (ACE Belgium)

ACID

CAITI BLUES by Justine HARBONNIER
Produced by Julie Paratian (ACE France)

CHICKEN FOR LINDA! by Chiara MATLA and Sébastien LAUDENBACH
Produced by Marc Irmer (ACE France)

12 PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR THE ACE LEADERSHIP SPECIAL

ACE Producers has selected 12 acclaimed film and television producers from 9 different territories for the second edition of the ACE Leadership Special.

Following a successful first edition in 2022, the workshop aims to help producers sustain solid business foundations, improve performance and prospects for their teams and their companies and further develop their personal leadership and entrepreneurial skills to flourish when faced with change. The workshop format will allow the small group to benefit not only from the knowledge of the workshop consultants, but from each other’s lived experiences.

ACE Director Jacobine van der Vloed said of this year’s selection: “The large number of applications we received really goes to demonstrate the widespread need and desire that producers currently have to establish a sound footing for their companies. We’re delighted to offer this incredible selection of producers the opportunity to do just that.”

The programme is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, Netherlands Film Fund, CFAP and the Veneto Film Commission. It will take place in Veneto in June and in Amsterdam in September 2023 along with online elements over the summer.

Among the Consultants are Jeroen Achterberg, Jo Bishop (The Coaching Cabin) and Mark van der Grift (True Brands).

SELECTED PRODUCERS

Damon D’Oliveira – Canada – Conquering Lion Pictures

Félize Frappier – Canada – Max Films Media

Siniša Juričić – Croatia – Nukleus Film

Kristine Knudsen – Norway – Den siste skilling

Fabian Maubach – Germany – Sommerhaus Filmproduktion

Paloma Mora – Spain – TV ON Producciones

Christof Neracher – Switzerland – hugofilm features

Iris Otten – The Netherlands – Juliet (at Pupkin)

Marica Stocchi – Italy – Rosamont

Nadia Trevisan – Italy – Nefertiti Film

Frans van Gestel – The Netherlands – Topkapi Films

Mariusz Włodarski– Poland – Lava Films

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NEW PARTERSHIP WITH ROMA LAZIO FILM COMMISSION

ACE Producers is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Roma Lazio Film Commission. A three-year agreement has been set up between the two institutions which will support ACE’s international network activities and encourage Italian producers, and those of the Lazio region, to benefit from ACE’s programmes and network.

Jacobine van der Vloed, Director and Head of Studies at ACE Producers, said of the partnership, “We are thrilled to be working with the Roma Lazio Film Commission, a foundation which has a long history of supporting international productions and encouraging cross-county collaboration. We look forward to working with such an iconic region for European cinema.”

Cristina Priarone, RLFC’s Director General affirmed “We are delighted to develop our relationship with ACE Producers through this partnership. Over the next three years we will improve our mutual opportunities. Strong collaborative European relationships, such as this one, are key to increase the amount of co-productions and to tighten good creative synergies among European producers. Roma Lazio Film Commission always values this kind of initiatives that brings knowledge and shared experience. We look forward to collaborating with all the valuable people at ACE to open up new ways for European producers to work together creatively and commercially, in the future.”

The Fondazione Film Commission di Roma e del Lazio works for the development of the audiovisual sector, for the promotion of the territory and for the development of coproduction, serving as a point of contact between the principal national and international companies and Lazio, the traditional land of great cinema. It offers support and guidance regarding the financial resources of the Lazio regions available to the audiovisual industry. The Foundation, as member of major international networks and in connection with major institutions, is committed to taking care of key issues for the industry like creativity development, professional training, sustainability and audience and film culture development.

PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR ACE MENTORING PROGRAMME EU 2023

ACE Producers has selected 10 outstanding up-and coming producers for the ACE Mentoring Programme EU 2023 from Europe and beyond. The programme aims to support emerging producers in reaching the next level of their careers and extending their international network by providing them with the opportunity to learn from established mentors from the ACE Producers Network actively working within the European film industry.

ACE Producers’ main goal is to strengthen experienced producers, however, the ACE Mentoring Programme intends to share the collective knowledge of the ACE Network with a new generation of producers. Mentors have been matched according to the specific needs of the selected producers and their projects. The mentorship includes meetings throughout the year at international festivals and events as well as online.

The programme is supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme and the Netherlands Film Fund.

SELECTED PRODUCERS FOR ACE MENTORING PROGRAMME 2023:

Reece Cargan, UK, Bombito Productions
Mentor: Anna Maria Kantarius (ACE 30), Garagefilm International AB – Sweden 

Leeona Duff, Ireland, Up On Blue Bridge Productions
Mentor: Oliver Simon (ACE 12), K5 Film – Germany 

Anna Gawlita, Poland, Kijora Film
Mentor: Jamila Wenske (ACE 24), Achtung Panda! Media GmbH – Germany 

Thomas Hakim, France, petitchaos
Mentor: Thanassis Karathanos (ACE 17), Twenty Twenty Vision – Germany 

Maria Ibrahimova, Azerbaijan, Cinex Productions
Mentor: Dries Phlypo (ACE 20), A Private View – Belgium 

Tonio Kellner, Germany, Neopol Film
Mentor: Paul Miller (ACE 10), Escape Pictures – Greece 

Zsofi Lili Kovacs, Germany/Hungary, Fiskultura
Mentor: Lisa Marie Russo (ACE 11), Fly Film Company Limited – United Kingdom 

Ilona Tolmunen, Finland, Made Film
Mentor: Oliver Neumann (ACE 23), Freibeuter Film – Austria 

Alise Rogule, Latvia, Mimafilms
Mentor: Stienette Bosklopper (ACE Series), Circe Films BV – The Netherlands 

Sahar Yousefi, Canada, NAVA Projects
Mentor: Sarah Sullick (ACE 18), Bright Pictures – United Kingdom 

Together with ACE Training Days, the ACE Mentoring Programme is part of ACE Springboard, a combination of programmes focusing on emerging independent producers to strengthen careers at an early stage. ACE Springboard provides participants with the tools needed to be adaptable and innovative in an ever-changing film industry – for a successful new generation of independent producers!

Please find more information here:
https://ace-producers.com/springboard

For more information please contact:
ace@ace-producers.com

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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – ACE SERIES SPECIAL 5

ACE Producers is pleased to announce the call for applications for the ACE Series Special 5, with thanks to support from Creative Europe MEDIA and LIAA – Latvian Investment and Development Agency.

A hands-on workshop for experienced producers who want to deepen their knowledge of developing and producing TV drama series for an international audience and/or integrate a series division into their companies. The workshop is open to members of the ACE Network or other producers of a similar level.

16-18 producers are selected for the workshop, each with a series in development. Focusing primarily on the creative and financial aspects of TV series production, the ACE Series Special will also offer sessions on working with broadcasters and streamers, marketing, audiences, international approaches and business strategies. The workshop gives producers a chance to work on their projects through one to one meetings with experts and group sessions with their peers.

The core of the 2023 workshop will be held in Riga, Latvia with the support of LIAA – Latvian Investment and Development Agency and Creative Europe MEDIA. Further sessions will be held online before the workshop.

Topics covered include:

  • The financing scheme of series in an international context;
  • Discovering the market potential and finding an (international) audience;
  • Strategically integrating a series department into an existing (film-)production company;
  • Understanding the different production structures of series development
  • Working with streamers and broadcasters.

Previous consultants include Reno Antoniades (Lee & Thompson LLP), Piv Bernth (Apple Tree Productions), Caroline Benjo (Haut et Court), Lars Blomgren (Banijay), Noemi Ferrer Schwenk (DR Sales), Mario Gianani (Wildside), Ed Guiney (Element Pictures) Elizabeth Kilgarriff (Firebird Pictures), Monica Levy (Federation), Marc Lorber (Lionsgate), Davide Nardini (Amazon Italy), Leontine Petit (Lemming Film) and Christian Vesper (Fremantle).

SERIES SPECIAL

DEADLINE
6 June 2023

WORKSHOP DATES
30 October – 4 November 2023

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
  • To be an owner, partner or associate of an independent film/TV production company;
  • To be an ACE member or producer with a similar level of experience;
  • To have a TV drama series in development that is at a relevant stage
    and suitable for co-production.

Producers from any country are welcome to apply, however, please note that the majority of spaces will be reserved for producers from MEDIA countries.

FEES
€2.500 (€2.250 for ACE Network Members).
The fee covers full board, accommodation and training during the workshops.
Travel costs are not included.

HOW TO APPLY
To request an application form please email info@ace-producers.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
ace-producers.com/series-special

PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR ACE Training Days NL 2023

Twelve emerging producers have been selected for the upcoming ACE Training Days NL. Taking place from March 27 – 29, 2023 in Amsterdam, the workshop will focus on “The Essentials of International Co-Production, Sales and Distribution”.

Aiming to emphasise the importance of international collaboration at an early stage in producers’ careers, half of the selected participants are from the Netherlands while the other half are from companies based in neighbouring Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg. They are all at relatively early stages in their careers, looking to expand their network and learn more about the international context of the audiovisual industry.

This interactive workshop will include plenary sessions and case studies, as well as group meetings provided with the help of ACE consultants and producers who have notably strong track-records in marketing and promotion of international co-production projects, and who will share their knowledge and international expertise.

The ACE Training Days NL was set up in collaboration with the Netherlands Film Fund – a key funder of ACE Producers.

PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR THE ACE TRAINING DAYS NL 2023:

Ewoud Bon, Provider Films – The Netherlands/Curaçao

Ruby Deelen, HALAL – The Netherlands

Maike Drinhausen, Heimat Films – Germany

Sacha Gertsik, Grom Productions – The Netherlands

Lisa Herbers, JUNAFILM – Germany

Regina Jorissen, 2 Pilots Filmproduction – Germany

Nynke  Jurgens, Keyfilm – The Netherlands

Thomas Mataheru, DotInk Cinema – The Netherlands

Baptiste Ménage, Deal Productions – Luxembourg

Nicky Onstenk,  IJswater Films – The Netherlands

Joyce Palmers, Amok – Belgium

Leopold Pape, Elemag Pictures – Germany

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Call for Applications – ACE Animation Special 2022

ACE Producers is pleased to launch the call for applications for the third edition of the ACE Animation Special, supported by Creative Europe MEDIA.

The workshop is for experienced producers that plan to diversify their activities to include animation production – primarily ACE Network members but also other producers/production companies with a similar intention and experience. Participants may also be already familiar with animation but looking to internationalise their network and knowledge.

16-18 producers will be selected for the workshop, with a long form/feature length/series animation project at concept stage. Focusing primarily on the creative and financial aspects of feature and longform animation production, the ACE Animation Special will offer sessions on animatic story development, international production workflows, the creative dynamics of animation production, financing strategies and international distribution. The workshop will also include one or more sessions on physical line production as well as case studies on completed animation projects and an insight into animation series production. Group sessions, plenary sessions and one to one meetings will together build a workshop where producers learn from each other’s experiences and those of key industry guests.

Topics covered include:

  • Story development and defining the rules of the world of your story;
  • Visual world building and asset creation;
  • International production workflows in multi-country co-productions;
  • Financing strategies;
  • Strategically integrating an animation department into an existing (film-) production company;
  • Marketing and sales on animation projects.

DEADLINE
24 February 2022
Up to 18 spaces available

DATES
30 May – 4 June 2022

LOCATION
European city, tbd.

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

  • To be an owner, partner or associate of an independent film/animation/TV production company;
  • To be an ACE member or producer with a similar level of experience;
  • To have a long form or feature length animation project at idea or concept stage; producers without a project are also welcome to apply but must demonstrate a clear motivation.

FEES
€2.500 (€2.250 for ACE Network Members).
The fee covers full board, accommodation and training during the workshops. Travel costs are not included.

HOW TO APPLY
For more information or to request an application form, please contact info@ace-producers.com