Producers reap rewards of co-production training, as Trans Atlantic Partners arrives in Halifax, then heads to NYC

Tue, 09/13/2011

(Halifax, NS, September 13, 2011) Halifax's Chaz Thorne is one of 24 producers taking part in Trans Atlantic Partners, a three-module film training program for those seeking co-production and co-venture professional development.

He is part of a stellar group - which began the three-module program in Berlin, arrives in Halifax this week, and wraps up in New York City later this month - including:

- Jennifer Holness, Hungry Eyes Film & Television, Toronto (Love, Sex and Eating the Bones, She's the Mayor, Guns), who is developing Colour Blind, an action comedy directed by Sudz Sutherland.

- Amy Rapp, Meredith Vieira Productions, NYC (Return, Life in a Marital Institution), who brings with her The Woman Who Wasn't There, a feature documentary about Tania Head, the most influential 9-11 survivor, and a woman hiding an astonishing secret.

- Antonello Cozzolino, Cirrus Communications, Montreal (Naked Josh, C.R.A.Z.Y), who is developing Atlantic Gold, a feature comedy directed by Donald Petrie (Miss Congeniality, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days).

- Helen Alexander, Castle Valley Films, UK (Beyond the Fire), whose current projects include Hector & Himself, a thriller starring Sean Biggerstaff (Harry Potter) and Clare Higgins (Golden Compass).

- Karyn Edwards, Knockout Pictures, Vancouver (Fifty Dead Men Walking, Stormworld), who is developing a feature drama, Mighty Lion, about an African boy who dreams of becoming a Manchester United soccer star.

- Tom Collins, De Facto Films, Ireland (Kings, The Boys of St. Columb's), who brings with him a feature-film project based on the award-winning novel, Reading in the Dark, by Seamus Deane.

Now in its 3rd year, Trans Atlantic Partners is co-presented by The Erich Pommer Institut (Germany), the Independent Feature Project (IFP, New York), and Strategic Partners, the co-production market of the Atlantic Film Festival, Sept. 15-18, 2011 in Halifax. An intensive training and networking program for film producers from Europe, Canada and the US, TAP offers a unique combination of hands-on training and case studies, with effective networking and targeted project partner research. For more information, visit www.coproduction-training.com

"It is becoming increasingly necessary for Canadian producers to look abroad for like-minded collaborators to allow our projects to compete on an international scale," says Thorne (Whirligig, Just Buried, Poor Boy's Game). “TAP is remarkable in helping that happen.”

TAP participants - from countries including Canada, USA, Estonia, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Holland and Sweden - join the close to 200 delegates at Strategic Partners for three days of visionary keynote presentations, compelling panel discussions, networking and information sessions, and 900-plus pre-arranged 1-2-1 business meetings amongst producers, financiers, broadcasters, distributors and other industry players. This year’s spotlight country delegations are from Australia, South Africa and USA.

Stewart Mackinnon of London, UK's Headline Pictures – executive producer on Stephen King's Bag of Bones, currently shooting in Halifax with star Pierce Brosnan – considers himself lucky to have attended Strategic Partners several years ago, where he first met the late Mark Shivas. The two went on to co-found Headline Pictures.

"It took some years to come back to Halifax but we did – and I'd like to say thanks to Strategic Partners," enthused Mackinnon. "The locations have been great and it is a wonderful crew."

 

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Trans Atlantic Partners is supported by the MEDIA Mundus Programme of the European Union, by Telefilm Canada, and by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg.

Strategic Partners is a production of the Atlantic Film Festival.  With Telefilm Canada as its Presenting Partner, it is the one-stop shop for traditional multi-platform producers, broadcasters, sales agents, financiers, distributors and film agencies. The three-day event includes pre-scheduled 1-2-1 meetings; international broadcaster, provincial, state and country sessions; relevant panels and visionary keynote speakers. Delegates also enjoy access to the screenings and galas at the Atlantic Film Festival and the popular Film Nova Scotia Lobster Dinner by the Sea.

A top Canadian festival, the Atlantic Film Festival is held each September in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Strong East Coast roots support a unique format for the festival, with its distinctive focus on film and music. It is large enough to attract the world’s most notable actors, directors and producers, but intimate enough to be innovative and flexible in its approach to the changing needs of our audiences and the industry. The AFF provides an unpretentious atmosphere to experience the best Atlantic, Canadian and international films, while showcasing some of the best musical talent from around Atlantic Canada. The Atlantic Film Festival produces: Strategic Partners, ViewFinders: International Film Festival for Youth, alFresco filmFesto, and Music & Image.

Organizers acknowledge the ongoing support provided to Strategic Partners by the International Business Development Agreement (IBDA), Telefilm Canada, Shaw Media, Canada Media Fund, and Film Nova Scotia.

Strategic Partners is the exclusive Canadian institutional partner of Australia/New Zealand’s MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival) 37ºSouth Market.

                                                           For interviews, or more information, please contact:

Skana Gee, publicist
Strategic Partners, Trans Atlantic Partners
Atlantic Film Festival
gee.skana@gmail.com
(w) 902-466-7191
(c) 902-223-5234