Connecting a New Generation of Filmmakers: The Berlinale Talent Campus

• October 13, 2012
• Article

13.10.2012 - In a special session as part of twofour54 tadreeb's series of training workshops at Abu Dhabi Film Festival, Matthijs Wouter Knol took the stage in the Emirates Palace Ballroom on Saturday to share with a group of young filmmakers the story of the Berlinale Talent Campus.

"The Berlinale Talent Campus is organized alongside The Berlin International Film Festival; it is like a parallel think tank for young filmmakers, aspiring actors, cinematographers, producers and music technicians," Knol said.

The Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) taking place each February, is one of the world's largest and most renowned festivals of any kind. Knol said the ampus is like a stepping stone for young filmmakers to enter into the film scene - a tremendous opportunity for them to meet other filmmakers, learn from acclaimed directors and producers, and have access to a state-of-the-art facilities, assisted by talented instructors and teachers - some of them including distinguished filmmakers like Ridley Scott, Mike Leigh and Wim Wenders. However, Knol added, "The Talent Campus does not [just] give the stage to famous people in the film industry, our priority is young filmmakers. The main goal is to bring up-and-coming talent and experienced film professionals together. It offers them a platform to invigorate their views, discover new horizons, get to meet fellow filmmaking collaborators and discuss innovative trends and growth in contemporary cinema and media."

The Berlinale Talent Campus has a theme each year, with the one for the upcoming Berlinale being "Some Like It Hot." The Campus lasts for six days and presents a large variety of different programmes for up to 300 people each year including actors, directors, cinematographers, distributers, editors, film critics, producers, production designers, screenwriters, sound designers and composers.

Tamara Malhas