COPING WITH UNCERTAINTY – navigating live-action children’s film releases through the pandemic
The webinar was held live, November, 30th, 2020, ZOOM
TWO projects TWO different decisions and ONE pandemic that continues to disrupt everyone working in the creative industries. This webinar follows up on two projects introduced at Kids Kino Industry’s earlier edition – TRIPLE TROUBLE (Poland) and CHRISTMAS IN THE JUNGLE (Latvia, Estonia) and will assess how this year’s challenging situation affected their release strategies. In a lively panel talk our guests will share their experience on their distribution & marketing decisions, discuss the role of cinema and festival recognition, reflect whether pre-sales remain viable and how to plan within uncertainty in the future.
This event is aimed at companies who produce live-action feature films for children and who are planning their financing structure.
Speakers: Agnieszka Dziedzic (Founder & Producer at Koi Studio, Poland), Cezary Kruszewski (Head of Distribution at Next Film, Poland), Karolina Makuch (Digital Marketing Coordinator at Next Film), Dominiks Jarmakovičs (Producer at Studio Locomotive, Latvia), Tania Pinto da Cunha (Vice President, Sales, Distribution at Pink Parrot Media, Canada&Spain)
Moderator: Marina Andree Škop, Founder & Producer Studio Dim, Croatia
more about the projects:
CHRISTMAS IN THE JUNGLE
Moving from Latvia to exotic Indonesia has proven to be quite a challenge for Paula’s family. Her Mother has a hard time adapting to the country. Her sister, Kate, is entering puberty. And her Father’s workaholic nature is causing tension in the family that has even resulted in talk of divorce. Paula realises that the only thing that can save her family is a Christmas miracle, but there’s no winter in Indonesia. The local boy Akim offers a ray of hope by telling Paula about a man from the North who lives in the jungle. This man must surely be Santa Claus himself. Even the recent uproar over lost tourists and rumours of cannibalism don’t stop the two kids from deciding to go into the jungle. Who said there’s no Christmas in the jungle?
TRIPLE TROUBLE
Triple Trouble is another portion of the adventures of Julka and Olek. When Monet’s Beach in Pourville disappears from the National Museum in Poznań – the children face a task – to find the painting, discover the identity of the thief and save an innocent painter accused of the theft. A harmonious duo begins an investigation, but suddenly a crazy twelve-year-old Felka appears on the horizon and trouble comes with her. The story of jealousy and trust is intertwined with solving a criminal mystery. Triple Trouble is the story of a tested friendship, which can become even stronger.
Agnieszka Dziedzic
Founder & producer, Koi Studio, Poland
Founder and co-owner of the Koi Studio production house and film equipment rental company, in 2015 Agnieszka received the award for Best Polish Producer Debut from the Polish Film Institute and the Polish Chamber of Audiovisual Producers for the film Little Crushes. Her subsequent films included the German co-production Whatever Happens Next, which premiered at Berlinale in 2018, and the adventure drama for kids Double Trouble, which was a box-office success in Poland in 2017 with over 350,000 admissions. A graduate of many international training programmes, such as EAVE Puentes, EAVE Producers Workshop, Sources 2, and others, Agnieszka is a member of the Polish Guild of Producers and a board member of the Polish Chamber of Audiovisual Producers. Currently, her slate includes two new children’s productions set in the Double Trouble universe, as well as the Polish-German-Israeli co-production The Delegation by Asaf Saban and a dark comedy set among Polish bohemian artists in the early 1920s.
Cezary Kruszewski
Head of Distribution, NEXT FILM, Poland
Associated with the film industry since 2010. For the first 5 years he was responsible for marketing and educational activities at the Atlantic cinema in Warsaw. In 2015, he took the position of Head of distribution in Next Film, which specializes in the distribution of Polish films.
Karolina Makuch
Digital Marketing Coordinator at Next Film, Poland
Digital Marketing Coordinator at Next Film, responsible for strategies and execution. Karolina has over 4 years experience as a marketer and has experience in digital marketing, social media, content strategy and influencer marketing. Previously, at indaHash, responsible for content creation and developing influencer marketing strategies for the biggest brands in almost 70 markets.
Dominiks Jarmakovičs
Producer, Production Manager, STUDIO LOCOMOTIVE, Latvia
Tania Pinto Da Cunha
Vice-President/Partner, PINK PARROT MEDIA, Canada/Spain
Tania started in the business in 1997 working for prestigious companies such as Pathé International, Hanway Films and Lola Films as Director of Sales and Acquisitions. Then she fell deeply in love with the world of animated children films and tv series while working for Dygra Films in 2005 as Managing Director and Executive Producer. She has since then acquired several credits as Executive Producer. Until recently, she was the Sales Associate at Sola Media, well known for its expertise in the international family entertainment business. At present she runs Pink Parrot Media with her partner since they launched it at the Berlinale in 2018.
Marina Andree Škop
Founder & Producer Studio Dim, Croatia
Director and producer focused on creation of challenging content for children. With more than 20 years of experience in production, Marina’s portfolio includes 20 awarded movies and TV titles. She co-directed and produced SF feature for kids MY GRANDPA IS AN ALIEN (2019) which won fifteen international awards. She is a member of Croatian Freelance Artists’ Association and Croatian Producer Association.