ACE Producers will be hosting an information session about the ACE Animation Special 2024. This session will offer producers the chance to hear about the application process, eligibility criteria and workshop programme of the 2024 edition.

Monday 13^th November 2023 – 15:00 CET
Online Information Session: ACE Animation Special 2024

Please sign up for the session by completing this form.

ACE ANIMATION SPECIAL
The ACE Animation Special 2024 will be held in Dingle (Ireland) between 19 and 24 March 2024. It is organised thanks to Creative Europe MEDIA, the Netherlands Film Fund, Screen Ireland and Animation Ireland, in close collaboration with Animation Dingle.

The workshop is aimed at experienced producers who want to diversify their activities to include, and/or deepen their knowledge of developing and producing long-form/feature film animation production for an international audience (cinema, broadcast or streaming). Producers experienced in animation that are looking to internationalise their network are also welcome to apply.

WORKSHOP DATES
19 – 24 March 2024

LOCATION
Dingle, Ireland

 

More information on the ACE Animation Special and how to apply can be found at this link.

ACE Producers and Independent Film Foundation are excited to announce the 12 emerging producers selected to participate in the third edition of ACE Training Days Poland, a workshop aimed at strengthening upcoming producers from Central Eastern European countries. Focusing on “The Essentials of Co-Producing: What’s the Deal with Negotiating”, it gives the participants the opportunity to learn from established producers and film professionals and to further develop their international network. The ACE Training Days Poland is supported by the Polish Film Institute.

The 2-day interactive workshop (22 and 23 November) will include plenary sessions and case studies, as well as group meetings and round table discussions, provided with the help of ACE consultants and producers who have notably strong track records in negotiation, international financing, co-production, sales, and distribution, and who will share their knowledge and international expertise.

The Training Days Poland is connected to the ACE 33 Financing Strategies Workshop (20 – 25 November, Warsaw), which is a workshop within the ACE Annual Programme organised for the selected 18 experienced producers from Europe and beyond.

 

SELECTED PRODUCERS FOR ACE TRAINING DAYS POLAND:

Joanna Banach, Kosmos Production – Poland

Péter Fülöp, FP Films – Hungary

Enea Gramo, Art Film – Albania

Viki Réka Kiss, Good Kids, Hungary

Marta Krzeptowska, Orka Film – Poland

Olha Matat, Evos Film – Ukraine

Rūta Petronytė, Smart Casual – Lithuania

Livia Radulescu, Redwood Productions – Romania

Marta Romanova-Jekabsone, Kultfilma – Latvia

Ewa Sokołowska, Warsaw Film School – Poland

Gabriela Suciu, Atelier de Film – Romania

Sylwia Szczechowicz-Warszewska, Film Office – Poland

 

Together with the ACE Mentoring Programme, the ACE Training Days are 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, for more information please contact us at ace@ace-producers.com.

ACE Producers is excited to announce the election of its new president, Marleen Slot (ACE The Netherlands).

Having been elected by the ACE Executive Board, Marleen will serve as president of ACE Producers starting from 19 April 2024, taking over from current president, Antoine Simkine, who held the role since 2018.

Marleen has been a member of ACE Producers since her participation in the ACE 19 Annual Programme in 2009. Over the past years, she has regularly returned to ACE workshops as a speaker, consultant, and expert. Since 2020, Marleen is a board member for ACE Producers and currently is serving as vice-president.

Marleen founded Amsterdam-based film production company Viking Film in 2011. International in scope, Viking Film creates high-quality films for both Dutch and international audiences with a special focus on arthouse and animation films. Marleen started her career at Lemming Film, where she worked for 8 years as a producer.

Marleen will collaborate closely with Director, Jacobine van der Vloed, in developing ACE’s vision and strategy. Both will work together as they take ACE forward and build on the substantial achievements that have occurred over the past few years.

Commenting on her election, Marleen said: “I feel very honoured to be elected the new president of an organisation that is so dear to me and such an important part of my career and life since 2009. I strongly believe in the power of ACE as a training organisation but even more as a place for producers to share and network, where you can be vulnerable and open and share successes and mistakes. Collectively we can make the difference and bring our films to a higher level.”

Departing president Antoine Simkine comments: “I am delighted to announce that my esteemed friend and colleague, Marleen Slot, has been chosen and duly elected by the board to undertake the important mission of President. Marleen played a pivotal role in the relocation of ACE from France to the Netherlands, and now, it is her time to contribute further to our organization’s growth and solidify position of ACE as Europe’s premier producers’ association. I extend my heartfelt wishes for Marleen’s utmost success in this new responsibility, eagerly anticipating the official transition that will take place in April 2024 during our annual reunion in Bordeaux.”

ACE Producers is pleased to announce the call for applications for the fifth ACE Animation Special. The workshop, which will be held in Dingle (Ireland) between 19 and 24 March 2024, is organised thanks to Creative Europe MEDIA, the Netherlands Film Fund, in close collaboration with Screen Ireland, Animation Ireland and Animation Dingle.

The workshop is aimed at experienced producers who want to diversify their activities to include, and/or deepen their knowledge of developing and producing long-form/feature film animation production for an international audience (cinema, broadcast or streaming).

16 to 18 producers will be selected for the workshop, preferably with a long-form/feature-length animation project at concept stage. Focusing primarily on the creative and financial aspects of feature and long-form 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. 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.

WORKSHOP DATES
19 – 24 March 2024

LOCATION
Dingle, Ireland

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.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
28 November 2023
Up to 18 places available

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

ACE Producers has selected twelve emerging producers for the ACE Training Days Norway. Taking place from October 10 to 12, 2023 in Oslo, Norway, the workshop will focus on “The Essentials of Sustainable Film Production”.

This interactive workshop will include plenary sessions and case studies, as well as group meetings provided with the help of ACE consultants who will share their knowledge and expertise.

The ACE Training Days Norway has been set up in collaboration with the Norwegian Film Institute. It is connected to the ACE 33 Content Development Workshop (9 – 14 October, Oslo), which is a workshop within the ACE Annual Programme organised for the selected 18 experienced producers from Europe and beyond.

The ACE Training Days Norway is kindly supported by The Norwegian Film Institute, Oslo Filmfund, Østnorsk filmsenter, Midtnorsk filmsenter, and Oslo Film Commission

SELECTED PRODUCERS FOR ACE TRAINING DAYS NORWAY 2023

Karianne Berge, Indie Film AS

Sara Beate Eira, Screaming Fox Productions

Tøri Gjendal, Nordisk Film Production AS

Kjersti Sofie Greger, Klipp og Lim

Lillian Løvseth, Trollfilm

Bente Maalen, Blaane film AS

Ragna Midtgard, STÆR

Malene Oppheim, Oppheim Film

Vincent Saunders, Goodtime Picture

Kristoffer Sindre Vittersø, Monster AS

Sarah Winge-Sørensen, Stray Dogs

Dzenan Tarakcija, Blattematik AS

 

Together with the ACE Mentoring Programme, the ACE Training Days are 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, for more information please contact us at ace@ace-producers.com.

Lamia Chraïbi – Moon a Deal Films – France/Morocco
“The Shelter” directed by Talal Selhami

Marija Dimitrova – List Production – North Macedonia
“Parno” directed by Igor Ivanov

Adis Djapo – SCCA/pro.ba – Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Supermarket” directed by Nermin Hamzagic

Eve Gabereau – Modern Films – United Kingdom
“Cold Enough for Snow” directed by Jemima James

Emilia Haukka – Aamu Film Company – Finland
“Abyss” directed by Aino Suni

Monica Hellström – Ström Pictures – Denmark
“Bethlehem” directed by Larissa Sansour & Søren Lind

Dragana Jovović – Non-Aligned Films – Serbia
“In the Shadow of the Horns” directed by Ognjen Glavonić

Lionel Massol – Films Grand Huit – France
“Deepfake” directed by Ismaël Joffroy Chandoutis

Filipa Reis – Uma Pedra no Sapato – Portugal
“Cantiga” directed by Miguel Gomes

Esko Rips – Nafta Films – Estonia
“Serafima & Bogdan” directed by Veiko Õunpuu

Aline Schmid – Beauvoir Films – Switzerland
“A Year Without Summer” directed by Flurin Giger

Johannes Schubert – SCHUBERT – Austria
“Keep Her Quiet” directed by Franz Böhm

Radu Stancu – deFilm – Romania
“Magnum Opus” directed by Bogdan Mirica

Anton Máni Svansson – Join Motion Pictures – Iceland
“The Love that Remains” directed by Hlynur Pálmason

Marc Tetreault – Shut Up & Colour Pictures Inc – Canada
“Place of Ghosts” directed by Bretten Hannam

Snežana van Houwelingen – This and That Productions – Serbia
“Folk Play” directed by Mirjana Karanovic

Dagne Vildziunaite – Just a moment – Lithuania
“Kopeck” directed by Lina Lužytė

Agnieszka Wasiak – Lava Films – Poland
“Black Water” directed by Aga Woszczyńska

 

ACE Producers has selected 18 experienced independent producers to join the ACE Network after completing the 33^rd edition of its ACE Annual Programme. The selected producers from 17 different territories will attend three workshops throughout 2023 and 2024 moving the projects with which they applied forward.

The selection committee consisted of members of the ACE Board and Network, consultants, ACE president Antoine Simkine and director and head of studies Jacobine van der Vloed.

“We are looking forward to welcoming this experienced group of independent producers to the ACE 33 Annual Programme. They each bring their own expertise and perspective, and we’re excited to get to know them and collaborate over the coming months. They will make a fantastic addition to the ACE Network.”, Jacobine van der Vloed commented.

 

Four events make up the core of the training. The first workshop, dedicated to content development, will take place in Oslo, Norway in early October and will include group sessions and individual meetings, analysing the concepts, dramaturgy, and target audiences of producers’ projects. The workshop is supported by The Norwegian Film Institute, Oslo Filmfund, Oslo Filmkommisjon and Media Desk Norway.

In November, the second workshop, which offers the producers advice on possible financing strategies for their projects, will take place in Warsaw, Poland, with the support of the Polish Film Institute and in collaboration with Independent Film Foundation. The week-long workshop will be made up of interactive sessions exploring international financing opportunities and strategies through detailed analysis of the producers’ finance plans, with input provided by high-grade professionals from across the industry. The sessions offer 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.

The third workshop will look at the producers’ business strategies, providing them 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. The Business Prospects Workshop will take place in France and is immediately followed by the ACE Annual Reunion, where the new producers will be officially welcomed into the ACE Network.

The Annual Reunion 2024 will be held in Bordeaux, France with the support of the ALCA Nouvelle Aquitaine, CNC and Département de la Gironde.

The ACE Annual Programme is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, Netherlands Film Fund, Procirep, German Films, Téléfilm Canada, Screen Ireland, Focal and APA – Audiovisual Producers Association.

ACE Producers is pleased to announce the call for applications for the Training Days Norway 2023 edition, which will be taking place 10-12 October in Oslo, Norway.

The ACE Training Days Norway is a tailor-made 2-day programme designed for emerging producers at relatively early stages in their careers, who are looking to expand their network and learn more about the international context of the audiovisual industry. The workshop welcomes producers working in fiction, animation, and documentary, and strives to make the industry inclusive and diverse.

A total of 12 producers will be selected to join the workshop in Oslo. The call is open to emerging producers from all regions in Norway.

Scheduled over two days, the Training Days Norway will be themed around “The Essentials of Sustainable Film Production”. This interactive workshop will include plenary sessions and case studies, as well as group meetings provided with the help of ACE consultants who will share their knowledge and expertise.

The ACE Training Days Norway has been set up in collaboration with the Norwegian Film Institute. It is connected to the ACE 33 Content Development Workshop (9 – 14 October, Oslo), which is a workshop within the ACE Annual Programme organised for the selected 18 experienced producers from Europe and beyond.

WORKSHOP DATES
10 – 12 October 2023

LOCATION
Oslo, Norway

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

• Emerging Norwegian producers, at a relatively early stage in their careers, with an interest in the international market and co-production.
• Producers should have at least one credit on a short film.
• Producers will best benefit from the workshop when already working on a feature-length project or series in development.
• Producers would need to be committed to attending the entire workshop.
• Producers who were selected for previous editions of Training Days Norway are eligible to re-apply.

FEES

• Participation is free of charge for Norwegian producers, but we do ask for full commitment.
• ACE Producers will cover the subsistence during the workshop.
• All travel & accommodation expenses that arise will NOT be covered by the organisation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications are now closed (extended deadline was 10 September, end of day).

HOW TO APPLY
Send the following documents (in English and combined into one PDF) to ace@ace-producers.com:

• A one-page motivational letter.
• A company profile.
• Producer’s biography & filmography.
• A list of current projects in development (with information and status on each project).

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Thijs van der Laak at: ace@ace-producers.com

Thanks to support from the Netherlands Film Fund and CFAP, ACE Producers is pleased to invite 8-10 Dutch producers to participate in the session Becoming the Leader You Want to Be, which will happen under the umbrella of the ACE Leadership Special.

The aim of the ACE Leadership Special is to encourage and nurture successful, business acumen within the film industry, and equip participants with competence and confidence to provide effective leadership for their production companies and teams, and to become leaders through change.

The session will set producers on the path to discovering who they are as leaders and help them take the first steps on their leadership journey.

The 2-hour, interactive session will focus on three points.

1. Who you want to be as a leader?
2. Where do you position yourself as a leader and which steps you will take to grow?
3. The basics of leading a team: Listening, feedback and motivation

The session will be facilitated by Mark van der Grift (True Brands).

DETAILS:
Date: Tuesday the 19^th of September 2023
Time: 10:30 – 14:30, including a Networking lunch with members of the ACE Leadership Special
Location: The Unbound, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

INFORMATION

– We welcome producers working in fiction, drama series, animation and documentary. We strive to make the industry inclusive and diverse

– Participation is free of charge

– There are only 8 to 10 places available, producers need to be committed to attend the entire session

– Travel or accommodation expenses which may arise will not be covered by the organisation

APPLICATION DEADLINE
Extended deadline: Tuesday 12 September 2023

HOW TO APPLY
Please send an email (including your company profile) to info@ace-producers.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Al Williams alwilliams@ace-producers.com

BIO MARK VAN DER GRIFT
Mark has been active in the field of marketing and branding for around 25 years. He has worked for several communication and branding agencies, approximately seven years as a (interim) marketing manager for Red Bull and four years as the global marketing director for the Brazilian coconut company Obrigado, operating in Europe and North and South America. In these different positions he was leading and inspiring teams of professionals (4-20 people) in Amsterdam, California and Brazil.

He has facilitated workshops and sessions on branding, innovation and business development for a number of international brands such as Philips, Deloitte, Red Bull, and several non-profit organisations including Red Cross, Greenpeace and an international spiritual movement.

Mark has followed several trainings and courses in the field of leadership and personal development. Among others: Essence Training, Who am I, The Path of Love and recently the Tools for Life Leader Training (I-IV) and Co-active Coaching (Fundamentals). Furthermore, he is a certified practitioner of the Leadership Circle Profile. His mission is to contribute to true and conscious leadership by managers and brands in order to create organisations that act authentically and consciously.

For ACE Producers, and previously Binger Filmlab, Mark has developed programmes to help established producers develop their branding and strategy. He has written two books on the subject of branding: In 2005 the bestselling book The Brand Called I and in 2016 TRUE Brands, Branding in a New World. In 2012 he received a master’s in marketing strategy after studying communications, culture, organisation and management in his younger days.

ACE Producers and Independent  Film Foundation are pleased to announce the Call for Applications for the Training Days Poland 2023 which has been set up thanks to the support of the Polish Film Institute.

The ACE Training Days Poland is a tailor-made 2-day programme designed for emerging producers at relatively early stages in their careers, who are looking to expand their network and learn more about the international context of the audiovisual industry. The hands-on workshop welcomes producers working in fiction, animation, and documentary, and strives to make the industry inclusive, diverse, and collaborative.

For this workshop, a total of 12 producers (6 Polish and 6 total from neighbouring countries) will be selected to join the workshop taking place in Warsaw. As ACE aims to encourage international collaboration, the call is open to emerging producers from Poland, as well as Albania, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Montenegro, North-Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

The Training Days Poland will be themed around “The Essentials of Co-Producing: What’s the Deal with Negotiating”. The interactive workshop will include plenary sessions, case studies, as well as group meetings provided with the help of ACE consultants and producers who have notably strong track records in international financing, co-production, negotiation, sales, and distribution, and who will share their knowledge and international expertise.

The ACE Training Days Poland is connected to the ACE 33 Financing Strategies Workshop (20 – 25 November, Warsaw), a workshop within the ACE Annual Programme organised for the selected 18 experienced producers from Europe and beyond.

WORKSHOP DATES
22 & 23 November 2023 (the workshop starts at 09:30 in the morning, therefore international participants should arrive on the 21^st and depart the 23^rd after 18:00).

LOCATION
Warsaw, Poland

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

• Emerging producers with an interest in the international market and co-production (this workshop will not focus on line production).
• Producers should have at least one credit on a short film.
• Producers will best benefit from the workshop when already working on a  feature-length project in development.
• Producers would need to be committed to attend the entire workshop.
• Producers who were selected for the 2022 TD Poland are eligible to re-apply.

FEES

• Participation is free of charge, but we do ask full commitment.
• ACE Producers will cover the subsistence during the workshop.
• All travel & accommodation expenses that arise will NOT be covered by the organisation.
• The producers can apply to their local/national fund to support these expenses.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
September 1^st  2023 (up to 12 places available) at 23:39 CEST

HOW TO APPLY – please submit your application HERE
In the application form, you need to attach the following documents, all merged into 1 PDF file (in English)

• One-page motivational letter
• Company profile
• Producer’s biography & filmography
• List of current projects in development (with information and status on each project)

You also have to attach the declaration of participation, which you can find HERE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Violetta Kamińska: violetta@nff.org.pl
Thijs van der Laak: thijsvanderlaak@ace-producers.com

 

ACE Producers has selected 18 experienced independent producers for the 5th edition of the ACE Series Special.

Nicholas Alavanos – Filmiki – Greece
“Loom”
Writers: Konstantinos Antonopoulos, Yorgos Garefalakis, Panagiotis Melidis

Didar Domehri – Maneki Films – France
“Grey Zone”
Showrunner: Mehdi Ouahab
Writers: Mehdi Ouahab, Céline Bardet

Madeleine Ekman – Nordisk Film – Sweden
“The Making of a Terrorist”
Writers: Leif Edlund, Emelia Hansson

Jessie Fisk – Feline Films – Ireland
“When They All Vanish”
Showrunner: Mark Noonan
Writer & director: Mark Noonan

Dyveke Graver – Eye Eye Pictures – Norway
Untitled

Matīss Kaža – Trickster Pictures – Latvia
“Arizona Joe”
Showrunner: Matīss Kaža
Writer & director: Matīss Kaža

Jean-Marie Laronze – Special Touch Studios – France
“Kongo, The River’s Kingdom”
Writers: Ori-Huchi Kozia, Jean Bofane, Cyril Tysz
Director: Ori-Huchi Kozia

Vicky Miha – asterisk* – Greece
“Gates of Eden”
Writer: Thomas Tsalapatis

Miriam Nørgaard – Growing Stories – Denmark
“Blòt”
Showrunners: Mads Kamp Thulstrup, Christopher Grøndahl
Writer: Christopher Grøndahl
Director: Mads Kamp Thulstrup

Gitte Nuyens – Wilder Content – Belgium
“The Dead Man’s Wife”
Showrunner: Bert Van Dael
Writers: Bert Van Dael, Deben Van Dam, Gitte Nuyens
Directors: Tim Mielants, Deben Van Dam

Tinna Proppe – Sellout – Iceland
“Barbara”
Writer & director: Haukur Björgvinsson

Xavier Rombaut – Polar Bear – Belgium
“Bad Blood”
Writers: Bert Lesaffer, Raf Reyntjens
Director: Raf Reyntjens

Laurette Schillings– Topkapi Films – The Netherlands
“The Tata Tragedy”
Showrunners: Anoek Nuyens and Rebekka de Wit
Writers: Anoek Nuyens, Rebekka de Wit and Nathan Vecht

Dmytro Sukhanov – Toy Cinema – Ukraine
“Unspoken”
Writers: Zhanna Ozirna, Filip Syczynski

John Wallace – Cowtown Pictures – Ireland
“Settlement”
Writer: Ger Gleeson

Joram Willink – BIND – The Netherlands
“Dual Use”
Writer: Jan van Dyck
Director: Sander Burger

Anna Zavorszky – Proton Cinema – Hungary
“Salvation”
Writers: Agota Benedek, Aniko Mangold

The week-long workshop offers producers the opportunity to expand their understanding of the series production landscape and internationalise their network within the industry. Professionals from companies such as Fremantle, Banijay, and Lionsgate regularly attend as consultants, along with producers and showrunners offering no-holds-barred case studies and discussions.

The ACE Series Special will take place thanks to the support of Creative Europe MEDIA, LIAA – Latvian Investment and Development Agency, and the Netherlands Film Fund. The selected 18 participants represent 12 countries and include a number of highly experienced producers venturing into series production for the first time. Each producer will attend the workshop with a series project in the early stages of development which will serve as a vehicle for their learning.

The workshop will take place from the 30th of October 2023 until the 4th of November 2023. It will mark the first time that an ACE workshop has taken place in Latvia, offering the producers the opportunity to discover the services and locations available in the country.

A previous version of this post included Dace Siatkovska (Latvia – Trickster Pictures) as a participant. As she was unable to attend the workshop, Matīss Kaža (Latvia – Trickster Pictures) has been selected to attend in her place. Also, Knut Inge Solbu (Norway – Fenomen TV Film & Scene) was initially announced as one of the participants, but had to withdraw from the programme.