MIDPOINT Institute

🟥⬜️ KVIFF Promises Industry Awards

🏆 Eurimages Co-Production Development Award for project Selamlik!

Team: Jerry Carlsson (Director), Khaled Alesmael (Writer), Frida Mårtensson (Producer)
Production Company: VerketProduktion (Sweden)

Thrilled to announce that Selamlik has been honored with the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award (€20,000)!
Coming from our Focus Q***r selection, this powerful story has resonated with the audience and the jury. We can’t wait to see how this project evolves!
Jury Statement:
The jury decided to grant the Eurimages Co-production Development Award to a project dealing with pursuing a love story the war made impossible. Set in the past and the present between countries lost and found. A story that resonates strongly in today’s geo-political context with unfortunately too many displaced individuals. We hope this award will contribute to place Selamlik in the heart of the European co-production scene where we trust they will find dedicated collaborators to bring this strong story to life.

Photo credit: Michal Ures (KVIFF)
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🟥⬜️ KVIFF Promises Industry Awards

🏆Eurimages Special Co-production Development Award for project Reminiscence!

Team: Anastasiia Tykha (Writer, Director), Darya Bassel (Producer)
Production Company: Moonman (Ukraine)

The project Reminiscence has been honored with the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award (€20,000), granted as an additional prize to support this particularly promising Ukrainian project.

In their decision, the jury noted: "A project carried on by a female creative team, an emerging director and an established producer with a story that questions the universal themes of loss, grief and survival with a desire to find a way to continue living in today's Ukraine. We are sure this award given at this important stage of development can contribute and encourage other European partners to come on board of Reminiscence."

Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved recognition!

Photo credit: Michal Ures (KVIFF)

🟥⬜️ KVIFF Promises Industry Awards

🏆 MIDPOINT & KVIFF Development Award for project They Bloom at Dawn!

Team: Angela Dimeska (Writer/Director), Ognen Antov (Producer)
Production Company: Dream Factory (North Macedonia)

We are pleased to announce that They Bloom at Dawn has been awarded the MIDPOINT & KVIFF Development Award.
The project receives a €10,000 cash prize to support its further development. The jury highlighted the strength of the narrative, noting: "The jury unanimously decided in favor of a project about human and family relationships in the context of an environmental crisis. It brings a community together and reminds us that personal courage and collective responsibility are closely linked."

Photo credit: Michal Ures (KVIFF)

🟥⬜️ KVIFF Promises Industry Awards
🏆 connecting cottbus Award for project Reminiscence!

Team: Anastasiia Tykha (Writer, Director), Darya Bassel (Producer)
Production Company: Moonman (Ukraine)

We are thrilled to announce that Reminiscence has won the connecting cottbus Award!
Wishing the team immense success as they take this project to the next stage at connecting cottbus!

Jury statement:
"A mother and daughter disconnected in their grief, an empty apartment that holds a presence and denies its loss, fragmented memories that hit like lightning — we were very taken with this quiet and personal exploration of the consequences of war and would like to invite the team of Reminiscence to this year‘s edition of connecting cottbus."

Photo credit: Michal Ures (KVIFF)

🟥⬜️ KVIFF Promises Industry Awards

🏆 Rotterdam Lab Award for Monika Matuszewska!

Project: Confirmation
Production company: Rozbrat Films (Poland)

Huge shoutout to producer Monika Matuszewska (Rozbrat Films, Poland) for being selected for the Rotterdam Lab 2026!

This is a fantastic opportunity to expand her international network and take her career to the next level!

The jury highlighted her potential, noting: “Rotterdam Lab will boost this producer’s career, helping her identify her next steps in the complex producing landscape. She already has in-depth, realistic and empathetic knowledge of the field, and the programme will connect her with fellows who’ll guide, inspire and support her.“

Photo credit: Michal Ures (KVIFF)

What a week! 🎬

Our participants from the Feature Launch and Focus Q***r workshops have wrapped up an intense and inspiring journey.

From exploring the iconic Barrandov Studios—diving deep into stage sets, costumes, and scenography—to taking the stage at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for final pitching and the awards ceremony, it has been an incredible ride. 🏆

A massive thank you to our dedicated tutors for their guidance and to all our participants for the incredible energy and effort you brought to every single session.

While this marks the end of the road for Focus Q***r, the Feature Launch journey continues toward graduation in September at Finále Plzeň!

Photos by: Dominik Kučera and KVIFF

Big congratulations to the team behind Reminiscence—writer/director Anastasiia Tykha and producer Darya Bassel—for winning two awards during the KVIFF Industry Days: the main Eurimages Co-production Development Award, which includes €20,000 in development funding, and the Connecting Cottbus Award. 👏

FOCUS AI: Deadline is tomorrow! ⏳✨

Ready to shape the future of storytelling? Don’t miss your chance to join our intensive workshop for screenwriters and creative producers in Prague. Learn how to blend cutting-edge AI tools with your unique creative voice under the guidance of industry experts:

✨ Gerhard Maier – Artistic Director, Seriencamp, AI expert
✨ Katri Manninen – "The Most Artificially Intelligent Screenwriter"
✨ Markus Walsch - AI Strategist & Creative Consultant

📅 When: October 19–23, 2026
📍 Where: Prague
⏳ Deadline: July 9, 2026

Don't wait—secure your spot before applications close tomorrow!

🔗 Apply now: https://vp.eventival.com/midpoint/midpoint-focus-ai-2026

Meet the future of European cinema at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival ! 🌟

Join the MIDPOINT Institute at the Works in Development showcase. We are proud to present a fresh selection of international voices currently seeking partners:

🎬9 Feature Launch projects in development
🏳️‍🌈4 Focus Q***r projects highlighting diverse & inclusive narratives
✨3 emerging script consultants

Come discover the creative minds shaping the next wave of cinema! 🎬

📍 Kaiserbad (Film Industry Main Stage)
📅 Monday, July 6 | 10:30–12:00

See you there!

More information here: https://www.midpoint-institute.eu/en/article/midpoint-at-karlovy-vary-iff-2026-presenting-new-cinematic-0MBJx5

🏳️‍🌈 MIDPOINT Focus Q***r is heading to Karlovy Vary International Film Festival! 🏳️‍🌈

Join us on Monday, July 6 at the Works in Development – Focus Q***r showcase! We are thrilled to present bold, fresh, and authentic feature film projects developed and supported through our specialized program and to be pitched at the Vary International Film Festival

MIDPOINT Focus Q***r provides a dedicated, supportive environment for international creative teams tackling LGBTQ+ themes. Across intensive workshops and mentorship sessions, these filmmakers have been shaping their scripts, building project strategies, and preparing for international co-production.

This year’s lineup:
✺ Nuusiku – Laudika yaNdangii Hamutenya (writer/director), Jeremie Palanque (producer) | Namibia, France
✺ Selamlik – Jerry Carlsson (director), Khaled Alesmael (writer), Frida Mårtensson (producer) | Sweden, Denmark
✺ Skeeter – Dylan Mitro (writer/director), Taylor Nodrick (producer) | Canada
✺ Unholy – Phaedra Vokali (writer/director), Hermione Efstratiadou (producer) | Greece

🏆 Plus, eligible projects will be considered for the prestigious Eurimages Co-production Development Award(€20,000)!

📍 Save the Date & Meet the Teams:
📅 When: Monday, July 6 | 10:30
📍 Where: Film Industry Main Stage, Kaiserbad

Come and meet the creative minds amplifying q***r narratives in contemporary cinema! 👇
🔗 Discover Focus Q***r & the projects: https://www.midpoint-institute.eu/en/detail/midpoint-focus-q***r-2026-0tzFX3
🔗 MIDPOINT at Karlovy Vary IFF: https://www.midpoint-institute.eu/en/article/midpoint-at-karlovy-vary-iff-2026-presenting-new-cinematic-0MBJx5

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