Call for Applications Thessaloniki – Locarno Industry Academy

62nd Thessaloniki International Film Festival || 4 - 14/11/2021

Call for Applications

Thessaloniki – Locarno Industry Academy

8 – 13 November 2021

The Festival del film Locarno and the Thessaloniki International Film Festival are launching applications call for ‘Industry Academy’, a joint initiative aiming to give a significant boost to the careers of new film professionals from South East Europe, the Middle East, Northern Africa and the Mediterranean countries in priority, but it will also include international participants from the Locarno Industry Academy’s partner regions (Europe, Latin America, Switzerland and USA).

After the previous successful editions, the sixth edition of Industry Academy will take place during the 62nd Thessaloniki International Film Festival (November 4^th to 14^th 2021).

The THESSALONIKI - LOCARNO INDUSTRY ACADEMY will design a tailor-made program for 6-8 selected participants that will provide each with a better understanding of the local and worldwide film industry, at the same time encouraging them in active discussion about current global trends and developments. Of course, they will also get to enjoy the special experience of the Thessaloniki Film Festival.

What the Industry Academy offers to its participants

Daily sessions with high-profile and experienced professionals and experts including sales agents, distributors, exhibitors, heads of marketing departments, festival programmers and producers.
Case study presentations and informal discussions during which participants can directly interact and exchange opinions/visions with their colleagues and guest speakers.
Group sessions to encourage team work on a specific project.
Access to a number of professional events, particularly in the context of the Agora Industry Days (November 5 – 13), to gain a better overview of market activities and an understanding of the challenges faced by European and international key players in the film industry.
Access to official festival and professional work-in-progress screenings.
Unique opportunities to broaden their range of professional contacts thanks to specific networking activities with Agora Industry Days attendees.

The Official Language of the Industry Academy is English

Enrolment for the Industry Academy

The Industry Academy in Thessaloniki is open to international participants. Those enrolled must attend the full 6-day program that runs between November 8^th and 13^th.

Applications are invited from young professionals who:

Can demonstrate at least one example of significant experience in the field of distribution, exhibition, sales, marketing, festival programming. They might have been recently hired by a company, or may currently be working on an internship within one of the fields described above

are truly passionate about cinema as well as other art forms
are excellent at working in a team, looking on each and every encounter with colleagues as a new opportunity in both human and professional terms
expect to develop their own career through meeting established professionals in European and world cinema industries
are ready to play a proactive role in group sessions, with pertinent, stimulating and provocative questions and contributions
wish to expand their network of contacts with like-minded people that may share similar or different approaches towards working in the film industry
have a good working knowledge of English

The Industry Academy in Thessaloniki offers to attendees, free of charge:

Bed and breakfast for 5 nights in a Hostel / Hotel accommodation
Accreditation entitling participants to attend all Festival screenings and industry activities
Professional documentation (such as the official catalogue and the industry Guide)
Invitations to the Closing Industry party and drink vouchers
A welcome dinner and two industry lunches

Applications to the THESSALONIKI - LOCARNO INDUSTRY ACADEMY can be submitted from 28^th July through 27^thAugust 2021 using the on-line submission form. To be complete each application must contain: