EAVE projects in the race for EUROPEAN DISCOVERY – Prix FIPRESCI and BEST SCRIPT at the EFA

Press release

With an impressive record of 33 films produced and co-produced by EAVE producers recommended for a nomination in the European Film Awards 2016 competition, 14 films have made the final cut with whopping 22 nominations across all categories.

Among the nominations are 2 projects developed at the EAVE Producers Workshop!

The Finnish-German-Swedish co-production THE HAPPIEST DAY IN THE LIFE OF OLLI MÄKI was developed at the EAVE Producers Workshop 2013 and is now competing for the EUROPEAN DISCOVERY – Prix FIPRESCI!

The film directed by Juho Kosmanen, produced by EAVE graduate Jussi Rantamäki and co-produced by EAVE graduate Nicklas Wikström Nicastro has been sold to 20 European territories, the USA, Canada and China by sales agent Les Films du Losange.

THE HAPPIEST DAY IN THE LIFE OF OLLI MÄKI has travelled to festivals around the world and scooped, among others, the Un Certain Regard award in Cannes, the Golden Hugo at the Chicago International Film Festival and the Golden Eye at the Zurich International Film Festival. The film is also the Finnish submission to the Oscars 2017 and received the Finnish Achievement of the Year Award by the Finnish Film Producers’ Association.

EAVE graduate Jussi Rantamäki commented that:

"I met my co-producer Nicklas Wikström Nicastro in EAVE 2013, when I participated at the workshops with this project. With Nicklas and our German producers Jamila Wenske and Sol Bondy we made a decision quite early on that EFA Discovery would be one of the biggest goals of the film. Now we are nominated. Hopefully the members will enjoy our film and vote for it"

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter called the film "a small marvel of impeccable craftsmanship", lauding its black and white cinematography and "faultless and unshowy" performances.

The Polish-Swedish co-production UNITED STATES OF LOVE was developed at the EAVE Producers Workshop 2014 and is competing for BEST EUROPEAN SCRIPT.

The film directed by Tomasz Wasilewski and produced by EAVE graduate Piotr Kobus was sold to 30 territories world-wide by New Europe Film Sales, headed by EAVE graduate Jan Naszewski.

UNITED STATES OF LOVE world-premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Silver Bear for Best Script. Further screenings at international festivals in Karlovy Vary, Transilvania, Istanbul Reykjavik, Busan, Vilnius IFF and Valetta Film Festival (Best Director, Best Actress awards), followed.

Recently, the film also won 5 major awards at the Polish National Film Festival in Gdynia – Best Director, Best Supporting Actor And Actress, Best Editing and Best Costume Design).

EAVE graduate Piotr Kobus emphasized that:

"The EAVE Producers Workshop played a fundamental role in developing the script of United States of Love and in securing the co-production with Sweden. I do not think that the European critical and distribution success of the film would be possible without the support of EAVE experts and network."

Stephen Dalton of The Hollywood Reporter remarked that the film "combines stylistic rigor, serious intent and a fine ensemble cast".

Page published 8 November 2016. Updated 9 November 2016.