Press Releases

Dot.on.the.Map Ιndustry Days, the co-production, training, and networking platform for film industry professionals of the 23^rd Cyprus Film Days IF, will hold its 6^th edition in Lemesos (Limassol), Cyprus (10–12 April 2025). Τhe CFD IF is an institutional event of the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture, organised by the Department of Contemporary Culture in collaboration with the Rialto Theatre. Dot.on.the.Map Ιndustry Days is headed by Cypriot film producer and director Danae Stylianou.

During the 3-day event, producers, directors, and scriptwriters from the Mediterranean region will have a unique opportunity to pitch their feature length fiction film projects to members of the international film industry in Cyprus. Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days provides an excellent opportunity to network with industry professionals from across Europe and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and to explore co-production and distribution opportunities, discuss new projects in development, and pursue cross border collaborations.

For the accreditation benefits and requests, please visit:

https://www.cyprusfilmdays.com/industry/dot-accreditations/

Deadline to request accreditations: Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Programme of Events

Aiming to provide educational and networking opportunities for film professionals, Dot.on.the.Map Ιndustry Days presents “CINEMA TALKS” – a series of events, panel discussions, and masterclasses intended exclusively for accredited industry professionals. All the events of Dot.on.the.Map Ιndustry Days will take place at the Rialto Theatre, in Lemesos.

Friday, 11 April 2025

10:30 Pitching Session

Dot.on.the.Map will officially launch its activities on Friday, 11 April 2025, at 10:30 a.m. with the pitching session at the Rialto Theatre. Ten teams of producers-directors with projects originating from countries of the Mediterranean region will pitch their feature length fiction film projects within the “Dot.on.the.Map meeting point” co-production forum to representatives of the international film industry. Following group works and individual meetings, the filmmakers will take steps towards forming future collaborations with other filmmakers, international producers, financiers, sales agents, broadcasters, distributors, festival and film fund representatives. The Dot.on.the.Map Meeting Point co-production forum is implemented in partnership with Agora, Thessaloniki International Film Festival. The pitching session will be moderated by film development expert and trainer Hakim Mao.

14:00 INFO SESSION Cyprus Minority Co-Productions Scheme

Presented by Dr Marios Psaras, Cultural Officer, Cyprus Cinema Office, Department of Contemporary Culture – Deputy Ministry of Culture.

14:15 INFO SESSION The European Producers' Club: An influentialprofessional network advocating for change and partnership

Presented by Julie-Jeanne Regnault, EPC Managing Director (Belgium).

Newly appointed EPC Managing Director Julie-Jeanne Regnault will share insights about the European Producers' Club – a European-wide network of influential European independent film and TV drama producers. Find out all about the European Producers' Club – a professional network, think tank, and advocacy platform – that encourages collaboration, co-production and innovation opportunities across countries, while advocating on a political level to protect and further the interests of the European audiovisual sector.

14:45 INFO SESSIONWorking with the UK: the UK Global Screen Fund and co-production opportunities

Presented by Elaine McElroy, Project Manager at the UK Global Screen Fund (United Kingdom)

Join Elaine McElroy, Project Manager at the UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF), to find out more about the opportunities for international co-production supported by the fund. In addition to detailing eligibility criteria and process for international co-production applications, Elaine will present an overview of the UKGSF funds and activities, and include a brief outline of other funding available in the UK and the new UK tax credit incentives available to independent production. The UKGSF is designed to boost international development, production, distribution, and promotional opportunities for the UK’s independent screen sector. Financed by the UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport and administered by the BFI, the UKGSF is focused on accelerating export growth and deepening international relationships with the UK.

15:45 MASTERCLASS “Alternative Financing – Maximising the Financial Potentialof Indie Films & Companies”

Presented by Strategic Creative Economy Expert in Business, Finance, Investment and Sustainability, Juliane Schulze (Germany).

Strategic Creative Economy Expert in Business, Finance, Investment, and Sustainability Juliane Schulze will be delivering an inspirational masterclass exploring the topic of alternative financing. What innovative approaches can independent film professionals leverage to thrive in today’s challenging industry ecosystem? What essential factors should we focus on to attract both audiences and financiers when refining our offerings? How can we effectively inspire investors and collaborators to join our creative ventures? What critical elements should we highlight when presenting our projects, and how can we effectively start engaging discussions? This session is based on a selection of case studies and aims to equip participants with actionable strategies for attracting alternative financing partners, empowering them to refine their investment approaches and unlock the full potential of their film projects and/or companies.

Saturday, 12 April 2025

10:00 PANEL DISCUSSION“Women in the film industry: careerpaths, experience sharing and actions to promote parity”

Moderated by Lise Perottet, The Lab Femmes de Cinéma General Coordinator (France).

This roundtable will bring together women professionals working in the film industry. It will be an opportunity to take a look at their careers, highlight their work, their successes, but also the obstacles they faced in an industry that is still far from being inclusive in Europe. This conversation will also be a way of addressing issues of parity and diversity in the sector, and exchanging views about solutions and policies to support women filmmakers throughout their careers.

On the panel:

Giedrė Burokaitė, Producer, Akis bado, (Lithuania)

Edyta Janczak- Hiriart, Producer, Kometa Films (France)

Stelana Kliris, Director – Producer, Meraki Films (Cyprus)

Aliki Danezi Knutsen, Director (Cyprus – Greece)

Tonia Mishiali, Director – Producer, Bark like a Cat (Cyprus)

11:00 PANEL DISCUSSION“Film Festivals in the wider Mediterranean region”

Moderated by Independent Festivals Manager Ariane Buhl, The Right Ones (France).

A dive into the world of international film festivals originating from the wider Mediterranean region. Panelists will delve into curatorial strategies, and selection processes, while discussing challenges in curating a balanced and diverse program, and adapting in the current landscape. The panelists will also highlight innovative initiatives implemented by their festival organisations, including advocacy tools, promotional platforms, and co-production markets, while reflecting on the evolving role of film festivals in today’s European film industry.

On the panel:

Guillaume Calop, Co-founder and General Manager, Les Arcs Film Festival (France)

Vuk Perović, Programmer of the Main Competition & Kino Evropa selection, Montenegro Film Festival (Montenegro)

Ena Rahelić, Head of Industry, Mediterranean Film Festival Split (Croatia)

Miguel Valverde, Founder – President, IndieLisboa Film Festival (Portugal)

12:00 INFO SESSION Creative Europe MEDIA Calls, Creative Europe Desk Cyprus

Presented by Nenad Bogdanovic, Planning & Development Coordinator, Organisation for European Programmes & Cultural Relations, and Head of Desks/ National Contact Points for the programmes Creative Europe, CERV and New European Bauhaus.

The event will be held in English. For more information, please email dotonthemap@cyprusfilmdays.com or visit dot.cyprusfilmdays.com.

Accreditation requests now accepted

Ready to discuss co-production and distribution opportunities, meet new projects in development, and network with film professionals from across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa? Register for an accreditation for the 6^th Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days 2025 (10– 12 April 2025, Lemesos, Cyprus).

The accreditation for Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days is intended exclusively for film professionals who are actively developing, producing, and promoting audiovisual works for the film industry (producers, directors, scriptwriters, sales agents, distributors, buyers, festival representatives, film funds and institutions, TV channel and platform representatives). For more information, please click here.

Deadline to request accreditation

Please request your accreditation through the following link by Wednesday, 2 April 2025.

To support the local film community, the organisers offer FREE accreditations to all film professionals based and actively working in the film industry in the Republic of Cyprus. The accreditation fee for international professionals is €45. Only Market Badge holders will have access to Dot.on.the.Map Industry Days activities and events.

(EK/NZ/GS)