Outside In: Challenges of Transnational Filmmaking
Making films is tough wherever you are, but what are the challenges of shooting in another country? How do you wrangle the added difficulties of permits, travel, customs and extra cost, alongside the usual logistical puzzle of putting a film together?
In this discussion, filmmakers working across borders discuss the issues around producing work that traverses cultural, geographic and linguistic boundaries while maintaining universal appeal and sustaining a viable film career.
Presenters
Mental Pictures was formed by Amy Lo with a focus on director-driven work with international appeal. Her producing credits run the gamut from studio movies to micro-budget documentaries – and each project has filmed overseas, including the UK, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. She has also served on the Selection Advisory Committee for the Sundance Institute Feature Film Program, and review panels for the Tribeca Film Institute grants, the Global Film Initiative, and the International Emmy Awards. Amy grew up in Alaska, graduated from Stanford University, and lives between NY and LA.
www.mentalpictures.net
www.twitter.com/amy_lo
Petra Costa is a Brazilian filmmaker and actress. Before ELENA, Petra directed and produced the short film Undertow Eyes, a poetic depiction of aging and love, as seen through the perspective of her grandparents. In 2009, Undertow Eyes was selected and exhibited in over a dozen international festivals and took top prizes at nine, including best short film at Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival, best short documentary at Cine Las Americas International Film Festival (Austin, Texas) and the special jury award at Gramado Film Festival.
In ELENA, her first feature length film, Petra repeats the experience of creating an intensely personal documentary. This time, the film portrays love and loss in her signature poetic and delicate style.
Petra completed her undergraduate studies Summa Cum Laude in Anthropology at Barnard College, Columbia University, New York. She did her Masters in Health, Community and Development at the London School of Economics, London. From the age of 15, she has been working professionally as an actress.
Andrea Thiele is a Germany and US based filmmaker making her directorial debut with And Who Taught You To Drive. Living in between two worlds has inspired the idea for this film. During her studies at the University of Film and Television in Munich she has also directed and produced several critically acclaimed short documentaries.
Tuesday, March 12
