VACANCY FOR THE ROLE OF EVENTS & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

ACE Producers is seeking an Events & Communications Coordinator for the ACE Annual Programme, the ACE Network & ACE Springboard Training Days to join its international team. With a small staff of 6 employees, we require a highly organised, proactive and driven individual.

Do you want to work within a vibrant atmosphere, coordinating events and communications, bringing your expertise to an international network of independent feature film & drama series producers and get to know more about the European independent film industry? Join us!

DESCRIPTION – ACE PRODUCERS

ACE Producers is a network of experienced feature film & drama series producers behind Europe’s finest producer training programme. The organisation has developed a strong successful brand in providing top quality executive education in creative (co-) producing and entrepreneurialism, delivering continuous life-long and dynamic learning.

Strengthening independent producers, ACE Producers uses the power of the ACE Network’s collective knowledge to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities in an everchanging industry. ACE enables profound collaborations through honest dialogue in the safe trusted space of the ACE Network and fosters valuable exchange of high-level knowledge about the independent audiovisual industry in Europe and beyond.

An adaptable, approachable organisation, ACE is famous for delivery of its core selective training programme for experienced producers. Each year, up to 20 new ACE producers are accepted into the ACE Network, after completing the main ACE programme of advanced training, which consists of three workshops during one year. The collective learning emphasises the key position and unique responsibilities of the producer throughout the whole process of making a film: development, production, marketing and delivery to audiences/distribution.

Reflecting their creativity and dynamism, ACE producers are frequently featured among the award-winners in Cannes, Berlin and Venice, at the Oscars, European Film Awards, etc. Recent feature films such as Oscar-winners “The Father” by Florian Zeller, and Palme d’Or winner “Titane” by Julia Decourneau” have been produced by members of the ACE Network.

ACE Producers was set up in 1993 and now has over 250 active members from more than 45 countries. Network members gather for further training and professional events at all major festivals and markets during the year, and regularly co-produce with each other. The association is governed by an Executive Board consisting of 20 international film professionals.

JOB DESCRIPTION – EVENTS & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Job purpose:

The role sits within a small team that works in close collaboration to deliver a range of projects and workshops. The Events & Communications Coordinator assists the Events Manager, coordinates all communications and organises the ACE Springboard Training Days programmes.

Key responsibilities:
Communications

  • Coordinating all internal and external communication, and implementing the overall ACE Marketing Strategy
  • Coordinating PR & Publicity activities, and producing all publicity and advertising material
  • Drawing up texts for newsletters, press releases, calls for applications, the website and other publicity materials

Events

  • Organising and coordinating the ACE Springboard Training Days programmes and supervising all related communication towards participants, consultants and partners
  • Assisting the Event Manager in organising and coordinating the ACE Annual Programme and Network events, the ACE Insight Sessions and festivals, this includes organising transportation, catering and overnight stays for the participants, consultants and team
  • Coordinating the creation of workshop materials
  • Representing the association during ACE events and those where ACE participates as a partner or co-organiser

Desired profile:

  • At least 2 years of work experience in event coordination and demonstrable experience in communications;
  • Flexible worker, being prepared to take on tasks outside remit when needed, keen on networking and collaborating closely with a small team;
  • Ability to efficiently plan and manage multiple assignments to meet deadlines;
  • Attention to detail, preciseness in the execution of tasks and solution-oriented working approach;
  • Excellent communication and organisation skills in a multi-cultural environment;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is a must, and additional languages are a plus;
  • Essential knowledge of Microsoft Office and skilful in the use of InDesign and Photoshop;
  • Friendly and outgoing;
  • Interested in film and the film industry.

Starting date: preferably April 2022

Period: An annual contract with the with intention of a permanent employment in the future

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Position: Full-time (part-time working from home is possible)

Salary: Corresponding to knowledge and experience

Please send us your CV and a cover letter explaining why you’re the right person for the job before 1st of March 2022.

For further questions and applications contact: info@ace-producers.com

ACE 32 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Application deadline: 2 May 2022

Every year ACE Producers accepts 18 experienced film producers into the renowned ACE Network after completing ACE’s Annual Programme of executive education. Interested producers are asked to submit a project in development that is suitable for co-production and aimed at the international market along with their application.

Four events make up the core of the training programme, held in four different locations.

OCTOBER – CONTENT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Through pitching practice training and sessions on leadership and core values, the producers learn more about themselves and each other, their own businesses and the types of projects they produce. Group sessions and walk & talk discussions provide insight into early development problems such as preparing intention notes, working with talents and maintaining good relationships with writers and directors. During group sessions led by consultants, producers are encouraged to offer each other script advice, and analyse financing plans and marketing materials. Participants also benefit from individual consultancy meetings analysing the concepts, dramaturgy, financing plan, and target audiences of their projects.
10th – 15th October 2022 in Tromsø, Norway

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.
21th – 26th November 2022 in Warsaw, Poland

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.
27th – 30th March 2023 in 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, production company showcases, insider-information sessions, and more.
31st March – 2nd April 2023 in San Sebastian, Spain

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 info@ace-producers.com to establish your eligibility and organise a meeting with producers’ liaison Al Williams.

Applications will primarily be evaluated on the producers’ track record and motivation, followed by the strength of the project and its co-production and collaborative potential.

Visit our website for more information on the Annual Programme and application process.

PARTNERS
ACE Producers is supported by Creative Europe, the Netherlands Film Fund, Procirep, German Films, Téléfilm Canada, Screen Ireland, Focal and Rai Cinema.

Call for Applications – ACE Leadership Special

ACE Producers is pleased to launch the ACE Leadership Special with thanks to support from Creative Europe MEDIA and the Netherlands Film Fund. A new workshop aimed at experienced producers looking to establish sound business foundations for their companies and develop their personal leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

The world of audiovisual production is changing rapidly. In order to survive and thrive in this dynamic environment, solid leadership is more important than ever. This asks for a strong vision, and the ability to operate with ever greater flexibility and agility. The ACE Leadership Special will help company-owning producers discover their own personal vision and gain the tools needed to adapt and flourish when faced with change.

ACE Leadership Special will help producers harness their capabilities and innate skills, raising their confidence to allow them to provide effective leadership for their production companies and teams, and to become “Masters of Change”.

Open to members of the ACE Network and other experienced, established producers of a similar level, the ACE Leadership Special will take place over two 3-day residential workshops with additional online sessions complementing them. 12 producers will be selected, each with their own experiences from running a company and their own unique entrepreneurial capabilities, allowing the small group to benefit not only from the knowledge of the workshop consultants, but from each other’s lived experiences.

The ACE Leadership Special will help participants upgrade their capabilities in an all-encompassing approach through three interlinking themes: the human being, the entrepreneur, and the manager. Focusing on this triad of roles, the programme will cover the following topics:

  • How to be a more effective leader: Improving personal leadership and management performance by looking at the human being behind the leader
  • How to plan and form strategy as an entrepreneur in a changing world: Improving the performance and prospects of the business
  • ­ Should be available and able to commit to attend the entire workshop

WORKSHOP DATES
20 – 22 June 2022
12 – 14 September 2022
With other online elements

LOCATION
The first workshop will take place in the Netherlands, whilst the destination of the second is to be confirmed.

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

  • ­ Should be an owner or partner in an audiovisual production company
  • ­ Should have been the delegate producer (i.e. the principal responsible producer) of at least one theatrically-released feature film, documentary or a high-end drama series which has been broadcast or aired online
  • ­ Should be available and able to commit to attend the entire workshop

FEES
€3.500 (€3.250 for ACE Network Members).
The fee covers full board, accommodation and training during the workshops. Travel costs are not included.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
14 April 2022

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants will be asked to explain in a motivation letter their leadership challenges, the current situation of their company, their long-term thinking and plans for the future.

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

PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR THE ACE MENTORING PROGRAMME NL 2022

For the second consecutive time, ACE Producers has selected 3 upcoming producers based in the Netherlands to participate in the ACE Mentoring Programme NL 2022. The programme aims to support Dutch emerging producers in reaching the next level of experience and developing their international network.

The selected participants have been matched to a mentor of the ACE Producers Network according to their specific personal needs. The mentorship includes meetings throughout the year at international festivals and events, and online.

The ACE Mentoring Programme has been set up in collaboration with the Netherlands Film Fund, NAPA, Film Forward and Eye Filmmuseum.

 

SELECTED PRODUCERS FOR ACE MENTORING PROGRAMME:

Adrienne Liron, 3 Minutes West
Mentor: Tom Dercourt (ACE 16), Cinema Defacto – France

Layla Meijman, Studio Ruba
Mentor: Jamila Wenske (ACE 24), Achtung Panda! – Germany

Loes Koomen, Room for Film
Mentor: Marleen Slot (ACE 19), Viking Film – The Netherlands

 

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:
maegenefabias@ace-producers.com

Call for Applications – ACE Mentoring Programme EU 2022

The ACE Mentoring Programme aims to support upcoming producers in managing their careers and developing their international network, by providing them with the opportunity to learn from established mentors actively working within the European film industry.

The goal is to help these emerging producers reach the next level of experience and help them in the development of their international network.

Each year up to 10 producers, based in the EU or a Creative Europe MEDIA Programme country, will be selected for the Mentoring Programme EU. However, there are also three spaces open for producers from non-EU countries. With this, ACE Producers wants to contribute in creating a film industry that is more inclusive and diverse.

After being selected, each producer will be matched to a mentor according to their specific needs. Throughout the year, the producers will have up to 4 meetings with their mentor, online or if possible in person at international festivals and events.

To best benefit from the programme, we ask producers to have a full-length project in development – fiction, animation or documentary.

PROGRAMME DATES
March – December 2022 with a total of 4 meetings held throughout the year.

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
  • Emerging producers with some experience in production, who are looking to expand their knowledge of international co-production, feature film financing, production, sales, and (online) distribution;
  • Producers should have at least one credit on a film or TV series, without necessarily having a full production credit;
  • Producers need to have a full-length fiction, animation or documentary project in development;
PARTICIPATION
  • Participation fee is 300€ for each participant.
  • All travel and accommodation expenses that may arise will not be covered by the organisation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
25 February 2022 (up to 10 places available)

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

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Maegene Fabias at
maegenefabias@ace-producers.com

ACE Producers’ Films at the Berlinale 2022

Competition

AEIOU – A QUICK ALPHABET OF LOVE by Nicolette Krebitz
Produced by Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany) and Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany)
Co-produced by Jean-Christophe Reymond (ACE France)

ALCARRÀS by Carla Simon
Produced by Giovanni Pompili (ACE Italy)

A PIECE OF SKY by Michael Koch
Produced by Christof Neracher (ACE Switzerland)
Co-produced by Claudia Steffen (ACE Germany)

THAT KIND OF SUMMER by Denis Cote
Produced by Sylvain Corbeil (ACE Canada)

LEONORA ADDIO by Paolo Taviani
Produced by Simone Bachini (ACE Italy)

RABIYE KURNAZ VS. GEORGE W. BUSH by Andreas Dresen
Produced by Claudia Steffen (ACE Germany) & co-produced by Tom Dercourt (ACE France)

Berlinale Special

NEST by Hlynur Palmason, short
Produced by Eva Jakobsen (ACE Denmark)

Encounters

THE CITY AND THE CITY by Christos Passalis, Syllas Tzoumerkas
Produced by Maria Drandaki (ACE Greece)

Panorama

BEAUTIFUL BEINGS by Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson
Co-produced by Pavel Strand (ACE Czech Republic)

UNA FEMMINA – THE CODE OF SILENCE by Francesco Costabile
Produced by Pierpaolo Verga (ACE Italy)

SWING RIDE by Chiara Bellosi
Produced by Carlo Cresto-Dina (ACE Italy)

Generation KPLUS

OINK by Masha Halberstad
Produced by Marleen Slot (ACE The Netherlands)
Co-produced by Dries Phlypo (ACE Belgium)

GIRL PICTURE by Alli Haapasalo
Produced by Leila Lyytikäinen (ACE Finland) and Elina Pohjola(ACE Finland)

ACE Producers’ Films at IFFR 2022

HARBOUR

ALONG THE WAY by Mijke de Jong
Produced by Katja Draaijer (ACE ACE Netherlands), Frank Hoeve (ACE Netherlands) and co-produced by Giorgos Karnavas (ACE Greece)

HOLD ME TIGHT by Mathieu Amalric
Produced by Yael Fogiel (ACE France)

NOCHE DE FUEGO by Tatiana Huezo
Produced by Nicolás Celis (ACE Mexico) and co-produced by Viola Fügen (ACE Germany)

LIMELIGHT
FRANCE by Bruno Dumont
Produced by Dorothe Beinemeier (ACE Germany)
Co-produced by Fabrizio Mosca (ACE Italy) and Andrea Paris (ACE Italy)

FREAKS OUT by Gabriele Mainetti
Co-produced by Jean-Yves Roubin (ACE Belgium)
Executive Produced by Tommaso Arrighi (ACE Italy)

INEXORABLE by Fabrice du Welz
Produced by Jean-Yves Roubin (ACE Belgium)

LA RUCHE by Christophe Hermans
Produced by Jean-Yves Roubin (ACE Belgium) and Co-produced by Caroline Bonmarchand (ACE France)

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

Call for Applications – ACE Training Days NL 2023

ACE Producers is pleased to announce the call for applications for the Training Days NL 2023, which will be taking place 27 – 29 March.

The ACE Training Days NL 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.

For this workshop a total of 12 producers (6 Dutch and 6 from neighbouring countries) will be selected to join the workshop taking place in Amsterdam. As ACE aims to encourage international collaboration, the call is open to emerging producers from the Netherlands, as well as Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany.

Scheduled over two days, the Training Days NL will be themed around “The Essentials of International Co-Production, Sales and Distribution”.

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 has been set up in collaboration with the Netherlands Film Fund.

WORKSHOP DATES
27 – 29 March 2023

LOCATION
Amsterdam, the Netherlands

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

  • Emerging producers at a relatively early stage in their careers, with an interest in international 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.

FEES

  • Participation is free of charge for Dutch producers;
  • For producers from Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, the participation fee for the workshop is €300;
  • ACE Producers will cover the subsistence during the workshop;
  • All travel and accommodation expenses that may arise will not covered by the organisation;
  • Non-Dutch producers can apply to their local/national fund to support these expenses.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
1 February 2023 (up to 12 places available)

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;
  • List of current projects in development (with information and status on each project).

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Ayumi Filippone at ayumifilippone@ace-producers.com

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ACE Producers’ Films in Sundance 2022

WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION

THE COW WHO SANG A SONG INTO THE FUTURE by Francisca Alegría
Produced by Tom Dercourt (ACE France)
Co-produced by Bruno Bettati (ACE Chile) and Viola Fügen (ACE Germany)

DOS ESTACIONES by Juan Pablo González
Co-produced by Claire Charles-Gervais (ACE France)

GENTLE by Anna Eszter Nemes and László Csuja
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) and Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

GIRL PICTURE by Allli Haapasalo
Produced by Leila Lyytikäinen (ACE Finland) and Elina Pohjola (ACE Finland)

WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION

A HOUSE MADE OF SPLINTERS by Simon Lereng Wilmont
Executive producer Signe Byrge Sørensen

THREE MINUTES: A LENGTHENING by Bianca Stigter
Produced by Floor Onrust (ACE Netherlands)

SPOTLIGHT

THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD by Joachim Trier
Co-produced by Eva Jakobsen (ACE Denmark)
Executive producer Dyveke Bjørkly Graver