CBCC
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | Report on CBCC activities 2008 | Links
for The Kyiv Initiative Regional Cooperation Program
“CROSS BORDER CINEMA CULTURE”
2007 Armenia
Introduction: Cross Border Cinema Culture (CBCC) is a project of Kyiv Initiative Regional Programme presented by Directors Across Borders (DAB). DAB is a regional co-operation programme launched by the Golden Apricot Fund for Cinema Development in 2005. DAB is a regional network of film directors and film professionals living in countries in the Caucasus and neighbouring regions that share the common belief that film is one of the unique tools that can transform human relations without recognizing political, ideological, racial or religious borders. DAB and Golden Apricot International Film Festival are vital parts of Armenian cultural policy.
Justification: KI Regional Programme launched by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the national stakeholders is an important regional programme and symbolizes a bridge between local cultures and Europe. KI’s mission is unique and fulfilling. CBCC aims to involve the international organizations, private sector, NGOs and other entities in the regional/international multilateral cultural programs. First of all, it is up to KI’s interests (as well as to every K.I. state) to launch an effective multilateral film cooperation project in the five K.I. states. Second, additional value is assigned to CBCC – as a project uniting efforts of the K.I. states in the field of multilateral cultural co-operation. It will echo the new millennium challenges that K.I. states are facing. Culture is an important part in the global process of meeting European standards in democracy, development and peace. Naturally extending its programme, DAB - a dynamically developing and sustainable programme - is interested to involve Moldova and Ukraine.
Philosophy: CBCC is a dynamic prolongation of the DAB regional cooperation programme. CBCC brings the regional and international cooperation of all K.I. states onto a progressively new level. CBCC means that DAB ascends on a new stage and further promotes the common good, interstate dialogue, tolerance, good-neighbourhood relations, democracy, mutual understanding and peace. CBCC being ratified within the framework of the Kyiv Initiative will place this multilateral cooperation in a specific frame whose principles are recognised by the Council of Europe’s cultural policies – which is a big attraction for DAB because it is a regional programme joining Europe and Asia.
Strategy and Method: CBCC will function under the tested and proved sustainable model of DAB’s 3-year experience. However CBCC, with its multilateral joint efforts, will acquire additional priorities and objectives. CBCC will draw more attention to inter-sectoral approaches and, multinational professional and cultural needs. Through the CBCC the already established mechanism, network and processes launched by DAB will develop further and will give more significance to the regional cultural co-operation, exchange and professional growth.
The rationale behind the method of the CBCC is based on the principle - to effectively meet CBCC’s multilateral objectives and match them with the needs of CBCC’s target groups.
Multiplier effects: The first year of implementation of CBCC will test the multilateral capacities and mechanisms of K.I. states in the field of cultural co-operation and exchange. The big demand existing for such a cultural project will be the grounds for its further development. In particular, the established professional and cultural network should be kept active – and to put this into practice, the CBCC programme should have a long-term character. Professional training and exchange, inter-structural co-operation and development are also long-term processes.
Sustainability: Golden Apricot IFF and its cooperation programmes including the leading regional programme of DAB – justified its sustainability and effectiveness in its contribution to the cultural common good, professionalism, (the comma needed) decrease of segregation and cultural alienation of different countries. And, only by establishing contacts and co-operation attempts in the past, has it become possible to think about launching such a joint project as CBCC. Every country involved will benefit if the CBCC project will become a long-term process. There are numerous topics of mutual interest to guarantee the interesting context of CBCC programmes in the future. On the other hand, (judging by our experience and contacts so far) enthusiasm and interest of the nations towards multilateral exchange and co-operation is also deep. The CBCC partners understand that the mission of the CBCC project is unprecedented and historical. The DAB program was initially launched as a professional and cultural network of filmmakers and cultural workers in the region. DAB proved its sustainability and is being developed and expanded every year. The positive experience of DAB will logically be applied to the mechanism of the CBCC.
The fact that the Armenian Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs support the Cross Border Cinema Culture project demonstrates the significance of the programme with regard to Armenian cultural policies. One of the key aspects is that the Kyiv Initiative regional co-operation programme of the Council of Europe provides a perfect basis for development of co-operation of governmental bodies, international organisations and NGOs both within the country, region and internationally. The K.I. provides the basis for European standards and values and it is positive environment for multilateral cultural and professional co-operation of every state involved in the CBCC project.
Structure: If the CBCC programme is accepted by the KI participating countries, local Project Co-ordinators will be appointed to co-ordinate the CBCC programme activities both within the country and multilaterally, and will report to K.I. National Programme Co-ordinators and the CoE Secretariat on the programme results.
Objectives: to establish a multinational network of cinema professionals, international organisations, and NGOs; re-establish a common ‘cultural space’ between K.I. states; revive the role of the cinema in cultural policies in K.I. states; implement cinema as a tool for cross-cultural dialogue and restoration of professional co-operation; consolidate an inter-sectoral approach between the film industry, international organisations, mass media and NGOs; hold professional training; exchange film-programmes, cultural/film heritage, and information; encourage film co-production between K.I. states; revive and promote cultural/cinema heritage in K.I. states; attract international producers, distributors and film funds to support K.I. states’ filmmakers; promote multinational cultural and professional co-operation and exchange in the K.I. states.
Activities: training for filmmakers; training for cinema journalists and film critics; master classes; participation in DAB regional co-production forum of GAIFF; exchange of film-programmes; participation of film directors/producers in K.I. states’ film festivals and other international cultural events; participation of cinema journalists and film critics in K.I. states’ film festivals and other important film events.
CBCC aims to achieve: participation of the K.I. states’ filmmakers in Golden Apricot training, workshops and DAB Forum; establishment of a unique space for multinational professional and cultural co-operation of K.I. states; establishment of a cinema journalism/critics networking of filmmakers from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine; development of problem management on cultural heritage; growing support and interest of foreign producers and film funds towards K.I. states film culture and projects; agreements on co-production; etc.
Problems Addressed: national and cultural estrangement and segregation; loss of professional inter-state and multilateral ties and a common cultural space; set-back in the film industry; low participation of regional filmmakers in international film events; inefficient inter-sectoral co-operation locally and internationally (film industry-mass media); lack of professional exchange of filmmakers, cinema journalists and critics; poor involvement of local cultural structures into the European ones; lack of funding and resource for the realisation of multilateral sustainable projects; lack of up-to-date professional skills of filmmakers, and cinema journalists/critics; the need for a multinational promotion of film production and cinema heritage; film heritage preservation issues; common cultural/professional problems of K.I.- states.
Needs: 1) awareness and active involvement of the private sector, international organisations; and NGOs in the cultural policies and film culture locally and in the region. 2) professional growth, training, exchange programmes and joint cultural projects for K.I. states. 3) joint cultural programmes and actions within the framework of multilateral co-operation; 4) establishment of a multinational common ‘cultural space’ and network for K.I. states; 5) establishment of inter-sectoral co-operation between local and regional mass media, film professionals international organisations and NGOs.
Constraints: prejudices and “fears” concerning the neighbouring-countries; constraints of the private sector’s participation in cultural bi/multilateral projects; Armenia not yet a member of Eurimages; political and diplomatic constraints.
The Multilateral Format: The format of participation (in CBCC events and IFFs) and the costs (travel, accommodation) of participants from KI-states can be realised and covered by national CBCC programmes according to the format and structure stipulated by the KI Regional Programme in line with the multilateral aspects of the Cross Border Cinema Culture project.
Target groups: filmmakers (directors, producers, scriptwriters, etc.), production companies cinema journalists, film critics, international organisations, NGOs, and the general public.
Primary and secondary beneficiaries: 1) K.I. - having its member-states united in a project perfectly meets its objectives; 2) the K.I. states – through the CBCC - will develop a better geopolitical image for their states; c) K.I. states’ culture, cultural policies, international relations, economies, etc.; 3) regional filmmakers, mass media, general and professional public of the states involved; 4) local and regional film production; 5) cultural policies of K.I. states.
Follow up: The programme follow-up will be made through the feedback and assessments of participants in CBCC training, invited experts, and by the quality and context of articles and critical reviews published by CBCC trained film journalists and cinema critics. Independent observers will also participate in CBCC events and will assess the productivity of the programme. It will be a success if CBCC in Armenia will involve directors/producers from Moldova and Ukraine in Golden Apricot IFF and the DAB Forum. Received films and film projects will already mean that CBCC managed to integrate filmmakers from these two states in the film culture developments in the region and the process connecting the region with Europe and Asia – a process of global integration and cultural exchange. The evaluation of the CBCC programme will be based on the overall analysis of the results, assessments of participants and invited international observers, resonance in mass media and general public, facts, and the level of objectives achieved.
Project Duration: 01 December 2007 – 31 December 2009
The lead authority: Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Partners: Armenian Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UN Armenia office, OSCE Office in Yerevan, Hubert Bals Fund of Rotterdam IFF, Armenian Association of Film Critics and Cinema Journalists (AAFCCJ), Art-Film, private sector.
