European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO)

29/10: The Observatory launches two major studies on how SMEs and young Europeans perceive IP - EUIPO

The two EU-wide studies focus on the perceptions of IP among European citizens and are the second editions of the IP SME Scoreboard and Youth Scoreboard series, which were first released by the EUIPO in 2016.

EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027

24/10: Prime Minister Rinne and President-elect of the Commission von der Leyen discuss the finalisation of the EU’s next financial framework – eu2019.fi

On 24 October, Prime Minister Antti Rinne and President-elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen met in Helsinki to discuss the finalisation of the next multiannual financial framework (MFF), i.e. the EU’s long-term budget (2021–2027), and the priorities of the next European Commission.

EU Copyright Directive

/10: Poland seeks annulment of Article 17 of the DSM Directive – EAO Newsletter

On 12 August 2019, Poland’s application to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) seeking annulment of a provision in the recently adopted Directive 2019/790 on Copyright in the Digital Single Market (DSM Directive) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The DSM Directive was adopted on 17 April 2019 and Poland’s action was brought on 24 May 2019. The application seeks annulment of two provisions under Article 17 of the DSM Directive concerning the liability of “online content-sharing service providers” for content uploaded by users.

Taxation

24/10: Get multinationals to disclose where they pay taxes, MEPs tell member states – European Parliament

MEPs adopted a resolution urging member states to work on long-overdue rules obliging multinationals to disclose what taxes they pay in each country.

European elections

29/10: Final turnout data for 2019 European elections announced – European Parliament

The official and final turnout of the 2019 European Elections is set at 50.66% (up 8.06 pp on 2014), following the publication all 28 final national turnout data.

Events

6-7 November: IMCO Committee meeting, Brussels

6-7 November: JURI Committee meeting, Brussels

11-12 November: ITRE Committee meeting, Brussels  

21-22 November: Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council, Brussels  

1 December: European Commission comes into office (TBC)

As Lithuanian films are receiving more and more recognition at international film festivals, the Lithuanian film heritage is also being screened in various programs. On November 3rd the world premiere of the first colour Lithuanian film “March! March! Tra-ta-ta!” (lit. Marš! Marš! Tra-ta-ta!, 1964) by dir. Raimondas Vabalas took place at National Gallery of Art in Washington. The film was restored specially for this occasion.

The film, which was made 35 years ago and has never been screened in the Western countries before, was screened at the festival’s program “ABSURDISTAN: Central European Cinema of the Absurd”, which focuses on Central and Eastern European films from 1950-1989s. The event marks the 30th anniversary of the independence of post-Soviet countries and focuses on the surrealist films of that era. “March! March! Tra-ta-ta!” - a film full of political parody and grotesque - was screened together with other Ukrainian, Romanian, Polish, Hungarian, and Czech films. 

The film’s plot takes place at the frontier of two non-existent countries, Centia and Groshia. Lovers Zigmas and Jadzė, live in the neighbouring countries that are at constant disagreement. Their romantic relationship is not acceptable, so they secretly visit each other by crossing the border at night.However, one morning, Groshia’s Major Varnalėša accidentally falls into an open sewer pipe in the street. As he searches for the guilty ones, he blames Zigmas and Jadzė, and thus a military conflict between the two countries starts. Known for his innovative ideas, Raimondas Vabalas also appears in the film as a director, constantly reminding the viewers that what they see is not realistic.

According to film critic Gediminas Jankauskas, the film should be called a pamphlet because, as dictated by the rules of this genre, it mocks specific historical events or individuals without directly naming them. “The film received serious criticisms in its time. But we should not forget that the pamphlet is a rare phenomenon in the world cinema, therefore Lithuanian filmmakers should be praised for their courage and inventiveness,”- says G. Jankauskas.

Cinema researcher Anna Mikonis-Railienė agrees with this idea: “Today the film feels like an attempt to deconstruct the postwar totalitarian system and the behavior of its ordinary citizens. In the political-satirical pamphlet, the director depicted the conformist behaviour of the characters. Vabalas used military satire as an excuse to ask the basic question: What does it mean to live heroically in war? Is it worth fighting if every fight is just an imitation of the theater of the absurd? If wars are caused by a wild hare that crosses the state border and two people in love? The film, based on Brechtian aesthetics, can be interpreted as an audiovisual commentary on aprevious (as well as present) political situation.”

The film will be later presented in Europe.

The Official Selection - Competition, the coat-of-arms of an A-category film festival!
The selection of #PÖFF23 Official Selection is diverse, in terms of genre, topics and geography, covering five continents, with films from Northern And Southern America, Asia, Europe and Africa. Eight of the films will be having the world, nine the international and four its European premiere at PÖFF.

See the Official Selection mashup!

DISCOVER THE PROGRAMME

18 FILMS ARE COMPETING IN FIRST FEATURE COMPETITION

Embodying the festival’s mission to discover emerging creative voices from all over the world, offering them a first launchpad and help to gain international recognition, the First Feature Competition boasts nine world, eight international and one European premiere - a new record for the festival!

See the First Features mashup!

SEE THE LINEUP

BALTIC COMPETITION INCLUDES 15 ENTRIES

What a year for the Baltic film industries! 15 films that are representing the three Baltic states will be taking part in the Baltic Competition of #PÖFF23. The programme consists of nine features, five documentaries and one animation, many of which have won awards at prestigious film festivals from all over the world. All of them are worthy of checking them out!

CHECK THEM OUT

PÖFF & APSA

The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) are the region’s highest accolade in film, where cinematic excellence shines and Black Nights Film Festival is proud to be an Official Submitting Organisation for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. 

We are glad to announce that from the list of films submitted to APSA by Black Nights, two have made it into the final list of nominees:
House of Hummingbird - her role in the South Korean film brought the young actress Park Ji-hu a Best Actress nomination; 
The Unseen - the Iranian animation is nominated in the Best Animated Feature Film category.

SEE THE LIST OF NOMINEES

WORKSHOP: HOW TO INCORPORATE VIRTUAL REALITY TO AUDIO-VISUAL PROJECTS?

Are you interested in VR and want to know how to use the technology in your audio-visual projects?

Join the “Demystifying Virtual Reality” workshop taking place in collaboration with Film New Europe and Proto Invention Factory on 28-29 November in Tallinn. It is a hands-on workshop for filmmakers and enthusiasts, who are interested in what the future brings to the audiovisual medium.
During the two intense days, participants will discover how to apply their creativity and to make pieces that speak to audiences on a completely different level through Virtual Reality.

The two-day workshop is lead by Rein Zobel (Maru VR) and Angel Urbina Vitoria (Iralta VR).

READ MORE AND APPLY HERE