overview

1999 An idea is born

The first “Networking meeting with the Eastern European film-and TV industry” took place during the 9th FilmFestival Cottbus. The day-long conference aimed to provide information about the situation of filmmaking in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic as well as in Germany. Founding fathers: Ministry of Economics State of Brandenburg, and the regional film funding institution Filmboard Berlin-Brandenburg (called Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg since 2004)

2000 A name is found

One year later, not only a name, but also a tool is found: Connecting Cottbus. Approximately 50 participants from Russia, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Germany use the opportunity to improve working relationships.

2001 A step forward

In addition to the discussion about working conditions and financing possibilities in Eastern Europe, a new subject is found: the content. For the first time, 10 projects are presented to the 70 guests from 14 countries. The organisation of Connecting Cottbus is managed by pool production. A co-operation with the Nipkow Programme is begun and – along with the main funding partner Filmboard Berlin-Brandenburg (called Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg since 2004) – the Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung (MDM) is won as a partner and supporter.

2002 An attempt: CoCo Special

The Festival‘s market forum for film makes a move! The new Holiday Inn Conference Hotel offers excellent conditions for the 100 accredited participants of the two-day conference. A third day focuses on building up a relationship between Germany and Poland and presenting projects for co-development: CoCo Special.

2003 Accomplished: The first years

For the fifth time, producers, distributors, financiers and commissioning editors are invited to Cottbus to exchange ideas and experiences. Since the first Eastern and Central European countries have now become members of the MEDIA programme, Connecting Cottbus focuses on the first day on projects from Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. On the second day, the focus country of the 13th FilmFestival Cottbus – Russia – is presented in keynotes and with new projects.

2004 Finally: Come and pitch it!

The market forum for film has found its format. The pitching session becomes the heart of Connecting Cottbus. Current information about the film industry of the yearly Focus Country of the FilmFestival Cottbus has become an inherent part of the Connecting Cottbus programme ever since. This year’s focus is the Czech Republic. More participants than ever come to Cottbus: altogether, 125 guests from 11 countries are accredited.

2005 Money money money

The presentation of the brand new Hungarian tax model accompanies the Focus on the Hungarian film industry. And the first cross-border funding initiative, the German-Polish Co-Development Fund, is signed during Connecting Cottbus and presented by the Polish Film Institute, the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the MDM.

2006 Business as usual

13 new projects from 9 countries are presented to participants at the pitching session. The new developments in the Romanian and Bulgarian cinema are the focus of Connecting Cottbus.

2007 The network is growing

For the first time, a Swedish project uses Connecting Cottbus to find partners in Eastern Europe. The audience vote for the CoCo Best Pitch Award, donated by EastWestDistribution. And the MEDIA Programme becomes a new financing partner. A new record is reached: industry people from 22 mainly European countries attend Connecting Cottbus, the East-West Co-production Market, at the FilmFestival Cottbus.