TIFF and Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg Announce Residency Exchange Programme

TIFF announced today the launch of a new Residency Exchange programme that will offer one Canadian and one German filmmaker the opportunity to live, work, and find inspiration in two countries. The initiative is in collaboration with Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and will begin in 2017.

The international exchange programme will expand the creative reach and opportunities for the participants of TIFF's Len Blum Residency in Toronto and Medienboard's Artist-in-Residence in Berlin. Selected filmmakers will divide their time between the two cities, where they will be provided with professional support, accommodation, travel, and living allowance, as well as a package of benefits unique to each programme.

"Providing filmmakers with opportunities to inspire and develop their craft lies at the heart of TIFF's talent development programmes," said Kathleen Drumm, Director, TIFF Industry. "Collaborating with Medienboard on this exchange opens important international doors for participants. It also provides a great way for TIFF to expand its international remit by providing a home for outstanding German talent here at TIFF Bell Lightbox."

"We are delighted to be working with TIFF to offer our Artist-in-Residence the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Canadian and North American film industry," said Kirsten Niehuus, CEO, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg. "Both Berlin and Toronto are significant cities in the industry, with established film professionals that are able to share their experience and knowledge with the next generation of filmmakers."

The importance of the relationship between the Canadian and German film industries was recognized during the Festival at the new series Breakfast at TIFF. The session "Doing Business in Germany" was jointly hosted by TIFF and German Films.

TIFF's Len Blum Residency is open to writer-director candidates nominated by established producers, directors, and screenwriters within the Canadian film industry. The selected filmmaker will take the next step forward in his/her career and produce a story idea or script to be developed.

Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg's residency is open to established Berlin-Brandenburg film professionals working at an international level, with an interest in the North American market.

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