A professional script- and project-development program for creative teams and aspiring script consultants who believe in the importance of teamwork.
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2024
Features
Previous Edition
Projects
Nine promising feature film projects
Participating projects are divided into 3 groups of 3, and development within each group is overseen by both a group leader and a script-consultant trainee.
Antonie
When Anton, an eternal slacker and the father of 3-year old Antonie, gets fired from his job at the supermarket, his girlfriend Soňa decides to go to France to earn money for the family as a pole ...
Klara Is Here
Klára and Péter are retirees, who have been married for 50 years. Klára has been suffering from dementia for a long time and Péter takes care of her devotedly. However, the constant care takes a ...
Eli and Them
Sheltered Eli (17) is sent to spend the summer at her sister Karo's (34) rural farm, supposed to be preparing for her exams. As Karo is too preoccupied with running the farm, Eli gains an unexpected ...
Grammatik
Chinese artist QING (25) has been hanging around Hamburg for two years on a language student visa. Now he faces deportation by the German authorities for poor performance in his German class. Syrian ...
Horses
Miro (40) is nearing the end of his prison sentence. He spends his free weekends with his children from a previous relationship, David (13) and Mia (8), attempting to embark on a fresh start to ...
Pushback
After initiating legal proceedings against the police on behalf of the victimised migrant family, a lawyer DARIA (37) begins to confront her personal traumas. As a child, during the war in the ...
Sunbruise
A frivolous 18-year-old boy in a small village in Crete, George, prepares for the start of his compulsory military service, while his white ball python starts shedding its skin. Meanwhile, a ...
The Art of Biting Your Tongue
Ruta (31), an Amsterdam-based Latvian movement artist, is invited to work together with Andra (75), the leader of the children folk-dance ensemble Ruta used to attend. Creating a choreography for ...
Anxiety of the Heart
Tymek, a wild-at-heart 17-year-old, suffers from an episode of self-harm, but pretends it was a funny accident. He doesn’t confess the truth neither to his loveless parents nor to the posh ...
Participants
The next generation of European film professionals
Script Consultant Trainees
Company Time - Guest Producers
Tutors
Inspirational professionals with a passion for sharing their experience
To ensure the most comprehensive approach to training, Feature Launch works with established and respected names from all over the European industry.
Producer Mentor
The Producer Mentor oversees the development of all projects, advises them during the process regarding production and budgetary issues, and guides them through the European industry landscape.
Danijel Hocevar
Slovenia
Film producer and CEO of Vertigo, a Ljubljana (Slovenia)-based production company with a distinctive track record and ...
Complete bio
Group Leaders
The Group Leaders oversee the development of projects in their group from the very beginning of the program through graduation. They also coach the script-consultant trainee assigned to their group.
Anne Gensior
Germany
Anne Gensior works as an international script consultant for feature films and documentaries and as a script reader and ...
Complete bio
Pavel Jech
Czech Republic
Pavel Jech co-founded MIDPOINT in 2010 and has been active ever since as a group leader and speaker in its various ...
Complete bio
Ivo Trajkov
Czech Republic / North Macedonia
Ivo Trajkov is a director, producer, film editor, screenwriter and story editor. He was born in Skopje, Macedonia and ...
Complete bio
Script-consultant Trainee Mentor
The Script-consultant Trainee Mentor co-creates the training for the script-consultant trainees, ensuring that this training is implemented organically into the group work and that the collaborative set-up simulates a real-life industry environment. He meets regularly with the trainees, providing feedback and support.
Gyula Gazdag
United States
Gyula Gazdag is a director of film, theatre, and television productions. He has served as the Artistic Director of the ...
Complete bio
Pitching Tutor
The Pitching Tutor prepares participants to present themselves and their projects, in general and for the final pitching session of the program.
Producer Tutor
Katarina Tomkova ensures each team develops effective promotional materials and positions their project in an international context.
Guest Tutors
These established professionals are usually present at at least one of the workshops to share their expertise.
Experts
Company Time Tutor
Juliane Schulze leads the follow-up workshop for producer participants, mentoring them in company sustainability and strategic business planning.
Structure
Comprehensive program combining various formats
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Teams with projectOnline Feedback SessionJanuary 8-12, 2024 | online
From all applications, the reading committee will select approximately 20 projects whose creative teams will receive a detailed online assessment from experienced professionals (script consultant and producer). After this session, the final 9 projects will be selected for the MIDPOINT Feature Launch program.
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Script-consultant traineesOnline Preparatory Seminar for Script Consultant TraineesFebruary 25-26, 2024 | online
Online seminar exclusively for 3 selected script consultant trainees that will prepare them for further work with Feature Launch projects alongside the group leaders.
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All ParticipantsWorkshop 1March 3-10, 2024 | Brno, Czech RepublicTEAMS WITH PROJECTS
This workshop focuses primarily on creative development and dramaturgy while also introducing greater knowledge about other aspects of the industry, such as financing and market positioning.
SCRIPT-CONSULTANT TRAINEESEach trainee is assigned to one of the three groups, and works closely with the group leader and the participants on the development of their scripts. Trainees also meet regularly with their mentor to review their learning progress.
Through this process, the trainees are acquainted with the script and development aspects of developing a film project, enhance their communication skills during the creative process and, most importantly, learn how to give constructive feedback to the creative teams to help them move forward in their development.
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All ParticipantsWorkshop 2May 6-10, 2024 | online
Online individual consultations, group work, lectures focused on script/treatment development, financing and presentation skills.
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All ParticipantsWorkshop 3June 26 - July 3, 2024 | Prague and Karlovy Vary, Czech RepublicTEAMS WITH PROJECTS
This workshop serves as a platform to further advance the scripts, while also incorporating intensive and critical training about how to present and promote projects. This workshop is immediately followed by the Works in development - Feature Launch project showcase at the Karlovy Vary IFF, where all nine selected projects are presented to an audience of industry decision makers, including funders, sales agents, producers and festival programmers. One-on-one meetings and further networking follow the presentations.
The program's awards are handed out at this event.
SCRIPT-CONSULTANT TRAINEESThe trainees continue to observe the various stages of the development of the projects, through the final presentation at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. They are present at the pitching training and rehearsals and also prepare their own presentations, as they'll pitch themselves as industry professionals during the KVIFF pitching forum.
Networking opportunities at the event may help them in their future careers.
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All ParticipantsWorkshop 4October 7-11, 2024 | online
Individual consultations, group works, master classes, lectures focused on marketing and distribution strategies including new formats.
Company Time
Follow-up workshop for producers
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ProducersFollow-up workshop for producersNovember 2024 | Thessaloniki, Greece / in collaboration with EAVE
This follow-up workshop offers participating producers support in the areas of company sustainability and strategic business planning. This training is designed and co-organized with our partner EAVE.
The workshop is led by Juliane Schulze, a strategic creative economy expert in business, finance, investment and sustainability, who advises European and international audiovisual companies as well as funding institutions and business agencies. Over four days, participants will sharpen their competitive advantage and enhance the viability of their businesses. Feedback rounds and individual mentoring sessions will offer direct support to tackle the challenges they are facing as film professionals in an ever-changing marketplace.
This workshop is run in collaboration with the Thessaloniki IFF and within its industry section Agora, which brings participants further networking opportunities via its industry program.
Program Awards
Eurimages Co-production Development Award
For the first time, Karlovy Vary IFF will host the Eurimages Co-production Development Award of 20,000 EUR for one of the projects in development presented within their Eastern Promises Industry Days.
Feature Launch 2024 projects are also eligible to compete for this award, which will be granted based on the project´s artistic quality and its prospects of remaining a European co-production.
Detailed description of the award.
Works In Development Award
A joint financial award of MIDPOINT Institute, Barrandov Studio and the Karlovy Vary IFF of 10,000 EUR for the best project of the Feature Launch 2024 program underlines the aim of the program itself – help emerging talents from Central and Eastern Europe to develop their film projects.
connecting cottbus Award
A selected project from MIDPOINT Feature Launch will be given the opportunity to present itself during the pitching event within the connecting cottbus co-production market. Participation will include individual consultations from international film professionals and one-on-one meetings with potential partners.
Rotterdam Lab Award
One producer will be handpicked to participate in the professional training program for producers, Rotterdam Lab, which takes place during the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Gallery
References
Huge motivation boost and way to move your project to the next level
MIDPOINT Feature Launch has been a tremendous experience. The script consultations have helped me take my debut feature script to the next level. Getting to meet and work with a number of talented and fun first and second time filmmakers from all over Europe has been one of the most inspiring experiences of my professional life. Thanks MIDPOINT!
Argyro Nicolaou
Writer, Director, Feature Launch 2023
One of the most thorough workshops, with amazing team and tutors, oriented us towards building a strong story and a strong team.
Mina Dreki
Producer, Feature Launch 2023
During all the Midpoint sessions, I never regretted a single second. Beneficial in every way.
Vojtěch Novotný
Writer, Director, Feature Launch 2023
Midpoint is the perfect platform to connect upcoming filmmakers from various parts of Europe. It opens your eyes to various development stages and connects you to the future of European cinema.
Ýr Þrastardóttir
Director, Feature Launch 2023
Being part of Feature Launch for us has been an incredible boost for the project. We’ve received input that has been so valuable to both the script and the process, and come further than we ever could have without our tutors and group members, in just a few months!
Eliza Jones
Producer, Feature Launch 2022 Alumna
This program has been great for me, as a director working on his debut. It has helped me to be more strict and demanding of my own work and more confident about it at the same time. You gain a large extended family who are all invested and rooting for your film to be the best version of it.
Armands Zacs
Director, Feature Launch 2022 Alumnus
Successful films
Selection of our successful alumni
A Sensitive Person
On their return to the Czech Republic to settle down after years of leading a nomadic lifestyle, 12-year-old Elias and his family encounter a swift string of events that turn their fortunes around. Elias, his dad and his little brother flee, disguised as women. While trying to reach a hospital to be reunited with their mother after her sudden collapse, they meet a colourful variety of locals and hear their dark life stories. Elias doesn’t speak and copes with his overall cynicism through his imagination, but he slowly comes to realise the ideals that his dad lost a long time ago.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Tomas Klein, Tomas Michalek
Developed at:
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2019
Genre:
Comedy / Drama
Restore Point
Set in Europe during 2038, a female detective investigates the case of a murdered couple where a restoration team is able to bring one of them back to life.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Tomislav Cecka, Robert Hloz, Jan Kallista
Developed at:
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2016
Genre:
Sci-Fi
Borders of Love
Hana and Peter have created the world they longed for. They are young, successful and people envy them. They have built a successful company that shall soon provide them for the rest of their lives. Yet somewhere along the way, they got “lost”. Facing a relationship crisis, they decide to open up their marriage. They are allowed to do whatever they please, on the condition of being honest to one another. They define a new set of rules that on the outside seems like the pure freedom, but internally are slowly destroying them.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Radovan Sibrt, Tomasz Winski
Developed at:
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2017
Genre:
Drama
Vera, Dreams of the Sea
Vera is a middle-aged sign language interpreter, whose life is disrupted by her husband's suicide who has to face the raw reality of going against the deep-seated gender issues of our times.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Doruntina Basha, Kaltrina Krasniqi
Developed at:
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2014
Genre:
Drama
Erasing Frank
1983. Frank, an angry kid from the streets with "no future". The state banned their music because their words are political. Frank escapes to a psychiatric ward where Hanna, a young enemy of the system, joins him.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Gabor Fabricius, Miklos Havas
Developed at:
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2018
Genre:
Drama
How is Katia?
Anna is a 35-year-old single mother, working hard to provide a better future for her daughter Katia. A sudden turn of events makes Anna question her moral compass in a society where everyone has lost their own.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Veronika Stepanchuk, Christina Tynkevych
Developed at:
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2019
Genre:
Drama
Leave No Traces
In 1983, communist Poland is shaken by the case of high school student Grzegorz Przemyk, who is beaten to death by police. The only witness of the beating becomes the number one enemy of the state.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Jan P. Matuszynski
Developed at:
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2018
Genre:
Drama
Zana
Dark and haunting psychological drama about the collision of modern day faith healers and post-war trauma of survivors in Kosovo.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Casey Cooper Johnson, Antoneta Kastrati
Developed at:
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2017, MIDPOINT Editing Room 2019
Genre:
Drama, mystery, thriller
Inventory
Boris Robič is, as we like to say, an ordinary man. One evening he gets brutally attacked at his home. The police arrives, and open the investigation. There are no suspects, and it seems that no one could possibly be interested in shooting Boris. The police eventually suspend the investigation, convinced that the shooting was a mere coincidence. Riddled with doubt, he starts investigating on his own. While searching for the potential perpetrators, we follow a tragicomic path of a man who discovers that more people hate him than he would ever have thought possible and that the perceptions that he has of his own life are nothing but illusions.
Status:
realised
MIDPOINT participants involved:
Vlado Bulajic, Darko Sinko
Developed at:
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2017
Genre:
Drama
FAQs
You may ask...
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Can I apply with an animation or documentary film project?
Sadly, Feature Launch does not work with animation or documentary projects, as these require a different set of skills and addresses a different market.
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Can I apply without a writer OR director OR producer in the team?
You can't. All these creative roles have to be present in your team. One person could represent more than one role (writer/director OR director/producer, etc.), or there could be two people representing one role (2x writer OR 2x producer, etc.). In any case, the team must consist of 2-3 people.
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I'm not European, can I apply?
Feature Launch is specifically designed for European writers, as we'd like to address the demand for training coming particularly from this territory. The main focus is put on the region of Central and Eastern Europe. However, projects with a strong co-production potential or already attached partners/team members from this region can be accepted as well. In case you are still not sure about your eligibility, please contact the program coordinator Sona Morgenthalova.
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I'm not fluent in English, can I still apply?
Sadly, no. As the entire training runs in English, and during the working days you'll be asked to write directly in English, we require an intermediate level of these language skills. This simply means: your grammar doesn't have to be perfect, but you need to talk/write fluently and have the vocabulary to do so.
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Once selected, how much time should I allocate to the training?
Quite honestly – a lot. Feature Launch is an intensive training, and apart from the assignments and work done during all residential and online workshops, it operates with a system of tasks and deadlines in between these modules. So clear that calendar up a bit.
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Do I need to attend all the workshops in the program?
Yes, to fully engage in the training, it is essential for all team members to be present at every module of the program. It is not possible to selectively choose which workshops to attend, nor can someone else be nominated to take your or your teammate's
If you are aware, at the time of application, that you will not be able to participate in all the modules as described in the program structure above, please reconsider your application or seek a dedicated teammate who can commit to completing the entire training.
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Does MIDPOINT Institute offer scholarships?
It does. However, these are only partial, cannot be allocated to all participants, and their granting therefore considers various criteria. We HIGHLY recommend applying to a local supporting organization (national or local funds, ministries of culture or education, professional associations, etc.) at the same time you're applying to MIDPOINT Feature Launch. You can always withdraw your application if not selected, but as the processing time of this support can be rather long, it might be quite late to do this once we confirm you're in.
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Can I send you the application materials via e-mail?
We only accept applications submitted through our Visitor Page. Firstly, that way you can be sure your e-mail doesn't end up in junk, and secondly, all submitted materials are distributed to the selection committee via the Visitor Page (please see the 'Application' section).
Contact
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