All filmmakers selected for the HBF Script and Development scheme and the NFF+HBF Co-Production scheme Fall 2020

50th International Film Festival Rotterdam

1 – 7 February | 2 – 6 June 2021

Rotterdam, 19 November 2020

Twelve development grants worth €9,000 and two co-production grants worth €50,000 attributed to filmmakers from a diverse selection of countries

This fall, the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF) of International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has selected twelve film projects from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe for their Script and Project Development Scheme, to receive grants with a combined total of €108,000. In previous years, the HBF selection consisted of 10 projects; the 2020 Fall selection includes twelve titles from an impressive 640 submitted projects, adapting to the need for development support amidst turbulent times. In addition, two projects have been selected for the NFF+HBF Co-production Scheme and will receive €50,000 each from the Netherlands Film Fund (NFF).

Marit van den Elshout, head of IFFR Pro: “The HBF has always been guided by IFFR’s long-standing commitment to supporting filmmakers from the very early stages of their projects, to far into their budding careers. The importance of development support has become ever more apparent in these challenging times, clearly reflected by the record amount of 640 submissions to HBF this round. We are pleased to be able to adapt and respond to the needs of filmmakers in these circumstances – with our selection marking the beginning of a long-term relationship with the selected projects and filmmakers.” 

Fay Breeman, HBF manager: “We were impressed by the range of submissions we received this round. It’s our pleasure to present our fall selection, including films from countries less represented in the international film community such as Belarus (Yurki), Mongolia (Ze) and Gabon (Les fresques des oubliés), and countries facing freedom of speech restrictions such as Russia (Dolomite and Ash). In these times more than ever, we see the critical importance of development support and our role in providing it.”

HBF’s Script and Project Development scheme is a grant that can be used for script and project development of feature film projects, and is divided into two sections: HBF Bright Future, for feature films by debut and second-time filmmakers, and HBF Voices, for feature films by filmmakers more advanced in their careers. All projects receive a €9,000 grant. The HBF is thankful for the engagement of the Tiger Film Mecenaat and the Netherlands Film Fund who make these funding schemes possible. Read more about the selected projects here.

• Los Angeles, Cristóbal León/Joaquín Cociña, Chile
• El auge del humano 3, Eduardo Williams, Argentina/China/Portugal/France/Taiwan
• Dolomite and Ash, Toma Selivanova, Russia/Belgium
• Les fresques des oubliés, Amédée Pacôme Nkoulou, Gabon/France/Netherlands
• Gente de noche, Romina Paula, Argentina
• Mongrel, Wei Liang Chiang, Singapore/Taiwan/France
• Mudos testigos, Carlos Jeronimo Atehortua Arteaga, Colombia/France
• Tremble Like A Flower, Pathompon Mont Tesprateep, Thailand
• Yurki, Vlada Senkova, Belarus/Russia
• Ze, Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir, Mongolia/France/Netherlands

• Canciones perdidas de reinos distantes, Kiro Russo, Bolivia
• Hyacinth and the Tangled Tales of a Boatman, Bagane Fiola, Philippines

The NFF+HBF Co-production Scheme is a joint initiative by the Netherlands Film Fund (NFF) and the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF). Two grants of €50,000 are awarded to two projects with Dutch co-production partners.

• Centre of the Earth, Gabriel Mascaro, Brazil/Mexico/Netherlands
• Chocobar, Lucrecia Martel, Argentina/USA/Denmark/Netherlands

The Hubert Bals Fund is a curatorial fund dedicated to supporting filmmakers with a forward-looking artistic vision in every stage of the filmmaking process. Over more than 30 years, the HBF focuses on supporting filmmakers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and parts of Eastern Europe. The HBF has been especially helpful for filmmakers from countries where freedom of speech and a solid film infrastructure are lacking. The fund functions in tandem with other activities of IFFR Pro, which include training talent, providing networking opportunities, and hosting co-production market CineMart.