Written by Kianna Best on Sep 5, 2022. Posted in Awards and Festivals

EPC and Netflix celebrate women producers at Venice Film Festival

European Producers Club (EPC) and Netflix revealed the winners of The Pitch contest for women producers. The announcement was made 2 September 2022 at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Winners include filmmakers from Ireland, Romania, Spain, Bulgaria, Germany, Ukraine and Turkey.

Director of Grow Creative at Netflix Chris Mack commented: “We know how important representation behind the camera is for representation on screen, which is why we support initiatives like this one with Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity."

First prize was awarded to Anna Mannion of Tri Moon Films, Ireland, winning  an impressive EUR 50,000 to develop their projects. Ada Solomon from Microfilm, Romania placed second with a winning of EUR 20,000. The final prize of EUR 5,000 for each winner was awarded to Mariela Besuievsky of Tornasol Media, Spain, Martichka Bozhilova form Agitprop, Bulgaria, Gabriele M. Walther of Caligari in Germany and Olena Yershova from Tato Film of Ukraine and Turkey.

“Women producers are more scarce in the general landscape. We felt the need to open new opportunities and improve their accessibility to the market,” added President of European Producers Club, Gudny Hummel. “We are excited that the outcome of the scheme gives high visibility to women producers from a broad range of countries - from Romania and Bulgaria to Ireland, Germany and Spain and many others.”

Netflix and EPC joined forces to bring about The Pitch Contest in an effort to open up the industry to more opportunities for European women producers . First launched in March at Series Mania, it was initially available to EPC producers who were working for women-owned companies. An independent jury consisting of Cia Edstrom, Francine Raveney and Oliver Kohn came together at the European headquarters of Netflix in Amsterdam to listen to the pitches of contestants.

Image courtesy of Netflix