PRESS CONFERENCE
BALKAN FUND
In the Balkan Fund press conference given today -a concept of the Thessaloniki Film Festival's director, Michel Demopoulos- director and Festival programme coordinator, Lucia Rikaki noted: "Many Festivals have similar funding programmes to support a network of cinematographers with whom they can create longstanding relationships. The same philosophy stands behind the concept of our Fund".

Requirements
Those interested can obtain the regulation and application forms from the Festival, as well as from the festival's Internet site. The director of the Balkan Fund, Christina Kalas, explained the basic requirements: Applications must be in English and submitted by the film's producer, if one exists, otherwise by the director. Moreover, the films must have a convincing audience potential, a criterion that does not exclude the ones sponsored by television stations. Additionally the film's development and realisation must be feasible in the sense that the funding plan and production are practical.
Also, letters from co-sponsors must be submitted, as well as guarantees that the producer is the rightful owner of the screenplay and the material. Finally, the producer must give permission for the film's first screening abroad to be in the Thessaloniki Film Festival, unless the film has been chosen to be in the official programme of the Cannes, Berlin or Venice Film Festivals, in which case Thessaloniki receives the second screening.

The deadline for the applications is April 30th 2003. There will be a pre-selection round whose results will be announced 2-3 months later for 10-12 films. These films will participate in a workshop organised by the Festival under the supervision of a special committee who will choose 4-5 films. The committee is composed by professionals of the field who are able to support their final selections beyond the selection process.

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