Pro Hub

Pro Hub programme at IFFR 2024

• Pro Mentors

  Directors and producers with a film selected have the exclusive opportunity to schedule private one-to-one meetings with a designated Pro Mentor.

  These industry insiders can address the diverse concerns of filmmakers, offering insights and answering questions spanning production, co-production, financing, marketing, sales, distribution, and festival strategies. Their valuable guidance and inspiration aims to provide crucial support.

• Pro Dialogues

  The Pro Hub presents a series of Pro Dialogues, panel talks with specifically chosen guests from various backgrounds within the film industry. These discussions capture the extensive range of experiences present at IFFR. The topics, collaboratively curated by the Pro team, cater to the interests of emerging filmmakers, curators, programmers, and other experienced industry professionals.

  The 2024 programme consisted of the following panels:

  The Art of Adaptation – creative ways to bridge literature and cinema
  Creating material that can transform and even transcend its primary source or point of inspiration.

  Local Stories, Global Screens – understanding international film festivals
  We address the fundamental questions surrounding the purpose of film festivals in today’s interconnected world.

  Found Feminism – the intricate relationship between artists and archives
  How can found footage be used to reinterpret historical and political narratives in the context of a new era?

  Cinematic Synergy – merging your creative and business development
  Unlock the potential of your narrative by delving into its human essence and transcend cultural boundaries.

  Packing a Punch – producing with impact in fiction film
  What is impact producing, and how can it be understood in fiction filmmaking?

  Genre Rules! – on the circulation of genre films on the festival circuit
  What is the current relevance of popular and genre films at film festivals?

  Beyond the Premiere – exploring strategies for independent films in marketing, distribution and exhibition
  What does the future hold for films after the festival spotlight fades?

  Balancing Acts – nurturing creative enterprise, personal well-being and economic equilibrium
  Join us to untangle the complexities of the modern cultural sector.

  African film criticism
  The evolving and intricate landscape of film criticism in the African context.

• Pro Encounters

  The Pro Encounters comprise a series of networking round tables designed to facilitate meaningful connections for feature filmmakers included in the 2024 selection. These events provide them with the chance to engage with programmers from key film festivals and markets.

  In addition, specialised Pro Encounters are arranged for Short & Mid-length filmmakers, offering them a unique opportunity to connect with distributors and programmers from the short film community.

• Pro pitch and feedback sessions

  As an integral part of the Pro Encounters, filmmakers are invited to participate in the pitch masterclass, focusing on honing presentation skills. Subsequently, they will have the opportunity to present their films or projects to specifically invited professionals (film funds, markets, producers, distributors, sales agents, festival programmers), to receive constructive feedback within a secure and supportive environment.