EXCLUSIVE: IFFR’s Hubert Bals Fund expands funding programme with HBF+Europe.

The Hubert Bals Fund (HBF) of International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has established a new international co-production programme named HBF+Europe.

The programme will provide “substantial financial support” to European producers serving as minority co-producers in feature films with theatrical potential, focused on but not limited to, first and second time filmmakers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe.

In addition to providing financial support to co-productions, HBF+Europe will aim to help shepherd selected films through to release providing a financial framework for distribution.

A statement said: “Through this scheme, the HBF expects to boost the potential of these films, to find their audiences across Europe and beyond.”

HBF+Europe will complement HBF’s existing funding operations and will be open to applications as of Dec 1 via www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/hubertbalsfund.

HBF+Europe is supported by the Creative Europe – MEDIA programme of the European Union and exemplifies IFFR’s ongoing commitment to supporting filmmakers year-round.

The Hubert Bals Fund was created 25 years ago and has supported more than 1,000 projects from over 100 countries.

Four projects in 2015

HBF+Europe will offer minority co-production support to European producers who are producing “high-quality feature films by talented filmmakers” from DAC-listed countries.

The scheme has a particular focus on first and second feature films, but is also open to more established filmmakers. The HBF+Europe programme will support a total of four projects in 2015 and the application deadline is set for April 1 of next year.

The funding is designed for productions in which at least one European and one non-European producer is involved. The European producer must be the applicant and will be responsible for the funding agreement. Where the funding is spent is not limited to Europe and the maximum amount to be awarded to each project is set at €55,000.

In addition to the co-production support HBF+Europe will stimulate the promotion and circulation of international co-productions in Europe and beyond by offering financial support to the distribution of feature films by filmmakers from DAC-listed countries.

The scheme will also provide financial assistance for the promotion, publicity and marketing of selected films across all relevant territories. The maximum amount awarded per project is €20,000.

In 2015, the HBF+Europe programme will support a maximum of four projects and the application deadline is set for September 1 of next year. The scheme seeks to encourage new and innovative distribution strategies and models and new partnerships between conventional and emerging players within the industry, with a strong focus on exploring the potential of online distribution.

As of 2015, the HBF will provide support in the following funding categories:

  • HBF Script and Project Development (max. €10,000)
  • HBF Post-production (max. €20,000)
  • HBF Plus - A minority co-production programme for Dutch producers- in collaboration with the Netherlands Film Fund (€50,000)
  • HBF+Europe - Minority co-production support (€55,000)
  • HBF+ Europe - Distribution support for international co-productions (€20,000)

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