The Regional Film Centers of Norway and the American independent production companies of Senza Pictures and Garnet Girl, LLC proudly announce an unprecedented year long initiative to co-develop and co-produce 2-3 feature films combining the shared talents and resources of our two countries. The brainchild of the producing team Brandi Savitt (DOUBLE EXILE, OUR ITALIAN HUSBAND) and Lisa G.Black (MANGUS, LAST LETTERS FROM MONTE ROSA), Savitt and Black, along with selected Norwegian producers, will co-produce these feature films. The Development Project also includes the Oscar nominated writing team of Hawk Ostby, a Norwegian National, and Mark Fergus (IRON MAN, COWBOYS AND ALIENS, CHILDREN of MEN, FIRST SNOW), who will act as script development advisors.
After visiting Norway on an extensive location envoy in 2010, Black and Savitt fell in love with the country; the people, its history of storytelling and innovative approach to developing their film industry. “We saw an exciting opportunity to partner with our Norwegian counterparts to create a new approach to global filmmaking” says Savitt. Black and Savitt worked closely with several of the film commissioners in Norway to launch ‘The Project’ at the Norwegian International Film Festival in Haugesund this past August.
The goal of ‘The Project’ is to develop and produce 2-3 commercially viable feature films for worldwide distribution by 2014. It will consist of a national script competition, a creative development process, a script polishing summit, and a co-venture of finance packaging and marketing between Norwegian and American producers.
“Our hope is the coupling of resources from both our countries will in turn create a new path to execution globally, while building a long term relationship between the US and Norway for successful film production, media co-ventures and shared economic development. The country of Norway just announced an increase of 47million NOK to support the film industry of their country our timing for this collaboration is perfect.” says Black.
The Norwegian Regional Film Centers are currently soliciting scripts from their local talent to participate. The competition is looking for compelling stories with universal appeal, yet that also portray a fresh perspective and unique voice. Genres can include: thrillers, smart comedies and dramas. Strong, relatable characters that will attract an international cast are key.
“We are not looking to make typical Hollywood films. We are looking for new voices and innovative ways to connect with audiences around the globe”, says Savitt.
The deadline for script submissions is December 1, 2011. Once the qualified scripts have been collected by the Regional Film Centers, a National Selection Committee will then choose 10 scripts to be presented to the American/Norwegian producing team for final selection.
Once selected, the scriptwriters and producers will be invited to a seven day Script Polishing Summit planned for August of 2012 which will coincide with the International Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund. The Polishing Summit will be led by Ostby and Fergus, and a Master Class workshop is planned for those attending the festival as well.
Partners of this initiative include:
NORWAY:
Filmkraft Rogaland
Sørnorsk FilmCenter
Vestnorsk FilmCenter
Vestnorsk Film Commision
Østnorsk Film Center
Midtnorsk Film Center
Internasjonalt Samisk FilmCenter
Western Film Commission and Film Center
UNITED STATES:
Lisa G. Black- Garnet Girl, LLC
Brandi Savitt – Senza Pictures
Mark Fergus
Hawk Ostby
The joint venture between producers Lisa Black, CEO of Garnet Girl,LLC and Brandi Savitt, CEO of Senza Pictures combine their 20+ years of experience in Film Production, Development, Brand Marketing and Finance to expand their niche focus on international film and media co-ventures.
Contact Norway:
Ingunn M. Sjøen of Film Kraft – sjoen@filmkraft.no / 971 36 738
Contact US:
Senza Pictures
609 Greenwich Street, 6th Fl.
New York, New York 10014
O: 212-334-3577 * F: 212-609-0551
Lisa G. Black : Garnetgirl21@gmail.com