ROSKINO (www.roskino.org), in conjunction with Cloud21 International and Kultura PR International (www.kulturapr.com), presented the “Global Film Showcase”  held during the Cannes Film Festival and Marché du Film on May 14, 2018 at 2 p.m. at The Russian Pavilion in the International Village.

The by-invitation only event hosted  a panel featuring ROSKINO CEO Katya Mtsitouridze.  Leading ROSKINO since 2011, Ms. Mtsitouridze is one of the most accomplished executives in the global film industry today. She is the creator of the television program “This Is Cinema” and film expert for Russia’s Channel One, and previously served as Variety Russia’s editor-in-chief.

In 2017, in conjunction with the City of Moscow, Ms. Mtsitouridze initiated the Moscow Film Commission, an institution created to promote the city as a unique shooting location and to provide assistance to international film and TV production companies wishing to shoot there. In 2008, she founded the Russian Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival,  which she heads to this day, and in 2014 she created and produced the first edition of the Saint Petersburg International Media Forum.

Ms. Mtsitouridze is frequently asked to serve on the juries of major world film festivals, including Moscow International Film Festival and Cannes International Film Festival. She is a member of FIPRESCI, Russian Filmmakers’ Union and National Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Russia.

“ROSKINO was delighted to host the Global Film Showcase,” comments Ms. Mtsitouridze. “The event was a wonderful collaboration that showcased international filmmaking while placing the spotlight on Russia’s thriving film industry .”

Also on the panel were: Actress/Producer Sariann Monaco is writer of the Telly-awarded films “Down Stage” and writer and co-director of “Absent.”  She has co-produced several projects for Heartland Films, Inc. Monaco is the narrator of the Telly-award winning film “One” and voices the sassy waitress in 2016’s “Top Cat Begins” animation film, directed by Charlie Adler. She has been recognized internationally for her voice-over work for Nature Made Vitamins and Sambazon Acai. Ms. Monaco is represented by VOX Inc., LA and is a Second City Chicago alumna. Her on-camera work includes “The Saddle” and “Between Bullets and her commercial appearance in ”Check Your Sources: Hashtags” San Diego won an ADDY award. She was nominated for best actress at the 2015 San Diego Film Awards. She has judged the regional Emmy awards and the annual San Diego Film Festival and serves on the advisory board for “My Power of One” charity.

Australian filmmaker and president of Bad Hat Films (badhatfilms.com.au) David  Raynor debuted the short film “We Need To Talk” about youth suicide prevention in 2017. Mr. Raynor received accolades for how he handled this important yet sensitive topic, with thoughtfulness and integrity. The film is being developed into a feature film, with an accompanying book and music video. His other notable, award-winning works include “Hello Tom Sullivan,” “Karlisha and Morgan” and “So This Is It Then.” In 2018, he will direct and produce the French noir inspired feature “Ubiquitous,” for which he also wrote the screenplay. He is currently shooting a pilot titled “Boomerang” for US television. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, Mr. Raynor was one of the top names in the global beauty industry.

Debbie Vandermeulen, CEO, Fusion Features, has 24 years of experience successfully working with filmmakers assisting them in turning their story ideas into cinematic entertainment that has proven to be profitable and earn recognition at renowned entertainment festivals, including Cannes, Sundance and Toronto.

Founder of Fusion Features, she has facilitated many aspects of film production and directly participates in all main producing phases, including development and financing to post-productions, marketing and distribution.   She is known for creating and utilizing Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) in the UK to aid film projects in generating development and production funds that will provide tax advantages for the investors. She has producer credits for 10 features.

Three time Telly Award-winning filmmaker, Sue Vicory has been creating community-based films and projects within her not for profit production company, Heartland Films, Inc. (www.suevicory.com) since 2003. Her works include  “Homelessness & the Power of One,” feature documentaries “One” and “Kansas City Jazz & Blues; Past, Present & Future” and short films “Absent” and “1898, The W.F. Norman Story. In 2015, she founded Team XX, an all female team of 25 filmmakers that created the award-winning film “Down Stage.” Ms. Vicory is a member of the Los Angeles-based Alliance of Women Directors and creator of the website  www.womendocumentaryfilmmakers.com, designed to increase visibility for female filmmakers. She is the creator of the non-profit brand  “My Power of One” (MPO1).  In 2015 under the MPO1 banner, she filmed a 48 state tour completing “12 Acts of Kindness.” A feature titled “Ruby’s Heartbeat” based on this journey is currently in the works.

Film producer and international journalist Eileen Tasca moderated the hour long panel.  She comments, “It was my goal with the panel was to highlight diversity and unity within our creative community  during such a turbulent time in the world. We must come together and continue the conversation and dialogue between countries and I think we accomplished this with our event.”

Following the panel was a VIP reception where media and industry executives met and mingled with the panelists.  Attendees included filmmaker Ella Manzheeva, actress Maria Shalaeva, Bodvár and Ann Hafström and Katarina Van Derham.

Event partners included Bad Hat Films, Heartland Films,  Fusion Features, My Power of One, Bodvár House of Rosés, Precious Vodka, La Lettré Fine Chocolate, Jennifer Reeves Designs, KatLash, Beauty Kitchen and Viora.

ROSKINO, formerly SOVEXPORTFILM, is the Russian establishment responsible for consulting with the Russian Government regarding the international image of the Russian film industry and is the only company promoting the country’s motion-picture art internationally. Founded as a film production and distribution company in 1924 under the name SOVKINO, the company reformed as SOVEXPORTFILM, an import and export film company in 1945. From 2012, the company has been rebranded as ROSKINO, a state funded body responsible for promoting Russian films and filmmakers internationally.

Cloud 21 PR International and Kultura PR International have produced events at Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals, including most recently the “Indie Film Showcase at Park City,” and “A Salute to Akira Kurosawa” with China’s Jinke Entertainment at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. The companies have co-produced events and worked with top entertainment and technology brands, including E! Entertainment Television, Eurocinema, Metan Global Entertainment Group, 8K Miles Media Group, Maverick Entertainment, Sony Interactive, Oculus, Cinando, Euromed, ECU Film Festival, Creative Coalition, plus many others.