First MOST+ mobility awarded to five Belarusian moviemakers attending the Berlinale

A group of five Belarusian moviemakers lead by Leonid Kalitenya attended the European Film Market (EFM) in Berlin, having been awarded a MOST+ mobility grant. The EFM was held simultaneously with the 73rd Berlinale.

EFM is one of the three leading film markets in the world. More than ten thousand professionals from the global film industry gather there annually and have the opportunity to buy and sell movies and series. This is the ultimate place where movie producers may be approached by representatives of TV channels, streaming services online cinema to buy their movies. EFM also positions itself as a platform for innovation and change in the film and media industry. It took place from 16-22 February 2023.

For the first time, there was a stand for the Belarusian movie industry at EFM with the goal to introduce modern Belarusian cinematography as a phenomenon to the international movie industry. Although Belarus had never contributed to such events in the 30 years it has been independent, the stand was well attended and Belarusian participation was successful. Moviemakers and producers from all neighboring countries, including Germany, France, Great Britain, expressed a strong interest in the Belarusian cinema and in cooperating with Belarusian moviemakers. German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Ms Claudia Roth, attended the presentation of the Film Academy. Also, film market professionals showed a few short films: “What’s Inside Vasya”, “Cat” and “Zorka”.