DkIT Film Students Attend Berlinale – Berlin International Film Festival
On the 10th of February, seven third-year film students travelled to Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival), one of the world’s leading film festivals. It hosts many different screenings in cinemas across Berlin as well as hosting a European Film Market to allow for industry meetings from around the globe.
I don’t think any of us were aware how intense and full-on the entire experience would be. We were aware we would have our days full of various meetings and activities but the whole event was crammed full of industry professionals from just about everywhere, networking amongst each other and getting their films made.
I think for all of us the most intense aspect of the trip was the European Film Market (EFM) itself. This was the meeting place for the producers, financiers, distributors, sales agents etc. from all across Europe and other parts of the globe; Ireland, Romania, Spain, Mexico, Chile, Canada and Japan were just some of the industries represented at the market. All around us deals were being made to fund, co-produce and even buy films. It was an excellent glance into reality and really changed our perception of how the film industry works across the board. James Hickey, CEO of the Irish Film Board briefed us on the role of this agency in the market, explained how the market worked for filmmakers.We were lucky enough to attend some meetings of our own and had the opportunity to ask questions and explore without restrictions.
On the Sunday night we then attended the Irish Film Board’s party, hosted by the Irish Ambassador to Germany, in which we got to network with other Irish film students as well as meeting various directors, producers, screenwriters and actors all from within Ireland’s industry. We were very lucky to receive advice from all these sources and make connections that will stand to us in the future.
I believe the most important lesson we took from this trip was realising how everything we have learned up until this point fits together in order for film-making to work. It was an eye opener, it was a chance to put the theory we learned into practice as well as network and soak in information from so many sources. It was the cherry on top of a sundae in terms of our education as everything finally made sense and had its place.
The weekend flew past with no problems whatsoever. Everyone on the trip returned to Ireland in high spirits and driven. Everyone agreed it was an eye-opening experience and had only positive things to say about it. In fact; many of us plan to return to Berlinale next year and continue to reap the benefits of the insights and lessons it has to offer.
From one film student to another I would highly suggest; if you are given the opportunity to attend Berlinale; Do it! You learn so much surrounded by industry professionals, from all across the globe. It put everything we are learning in DKIT into perspective and linked many of our modules together in a way that made sense.
Thanks to the experience, Portugal’s Fest is another festival many of us are looking to attend as it offers six days of master-classes to first-time filmmakers. It is completely tailored to us preparing to branch out into the industry ourselves, in contrast to Berlinale which was aimed towards those already in the industry,
Of course, this trip wouldn’t have been possible without DKIT and our lecturer, Marina Hughes and we will of course always be grateful for being given the opportunity to experience the industry first hand.
by Sinead Dullagahan, Year 3 on BA (Hons) Film and Television Production
