Supporting Irish creative talent in film is the main thrust of the policy of Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board. We are delighted to join with our European colleagues on supporting the European Film Academy and in particular its awards ceremony which recognises European creative talent in film. Major challenges face European film in the years ahead. In becoming a patron of EFA we see this as an opportunity to participate in the dialogue about the future of European film where the focus is on the strength and diversity of European creative film output. Ireland has a long history of contribution to and vigorous engagement with all aspects of European Culture.

James Hickey, Chief Executive

The Federation Wallonia Brussels has always been convinced of the importance of cinema as a major factor for deepening the European identity. We think that the European Film Academy remains a great window for the image of European films world-wide and we deeply hope that EFA will also be an effective tool in order to help European decision makers understand the role of European cinema in the preservation of cultural diversity.

Frédéric Delcor, Secretary General

STAND UP FOR CULTURE
The global financial crisis continues to rage, including in Europe. When public budgets are slashed, it can seem tempting to be extra frugal about public funding for the arts. After all, culture and the arts can hardly be called essential, can they? I’m reminded of the story of the minister who questioned Churchill’s decision to maintain arts funding during wartime, to which Churchill allegedly replied, then what are we fighting for? We need new ways of thinking and new ways of acting for Europe and the world to get through the crisis – which is not, after all, only about economics. Art, when it’s good, makes us see, think, dream differently. We have to tend the spaces where that can happen, the necessary spaces of culture.

Henrik Bo Nielsen, CEO

For over 20 years Eurimages has supported a wealth of European co-productions and has made a major contribution to promoting cultural diversity through cinema. The Fund has a rigorous selection process and encourages producers to strive for excellence in independent cinema. We are proud to be associated with the European Film Awards and to be able to honour – with the European Co-production Award, Eurimages Prize – highly talented producers, who are passionate about European cinema.

Roberto Olla, Executive Director

European Film Bonds is proud to be one of the European Film Academy’s patrons. European Film Bonds is an independent Scandinavian based completion bond company with local offices in Copenhagen, Stockholm, London, Lyon, Hamburg and Melbourne. We offer completion guarantees for the benefit of the film and TV producers, production companies, investors, distributors, TV companies and film support bodies, who can enjoy a secure, safe, and smooth production, completion and delivery of their TV series, films or computer games.

Per Neumann, CEO

Besides our strong belief in European cinema, we also believe in the European Film Awards as probably the best instrument on hand today in the promotion and marketing of the wide and colourful variety European cinema has to offer. Therefore we are extremely proud and excited to be among the European Film Academy’s patrons.

Pierre Drouot, CEO

Istituto Luce Cinecittà promotes Italian cinema abroad as a mission entrusted by the Ministry of Culture. Drawing on its own strategic expertise in the field of marketing and communications, it aims to develop tools and gather resources to interact with key targets by increasing the significance of the Italian films and audiovisual industry in national and international markets. Istituto Luce is honoured to be one of the patrons of the European Film Academy, as a matter of fact, the success of its activities could not be reached without EFA’s support who encourages and awards European talents.

Roberto Cicutto, President

German Films Service + Marketing GmbH is the national information and advisory centre for the promotion of German films world-wide. German Films is a founding member of the European Film Promotion and we co-operate to develop and realize joint projects for the presentation of European films on an international level. The European Film Academy also plays a vital role in presenting and highlighting European cinema and we take pleasure in supporting German talent within this European context.


Mariette Rissenbeek, Managing Director

The one-year-old Hungarian National Film Fund feels greatly privileged to have the chance to be the youngest patron of the 25th annual European Film Awards. We strongly believe that our common passion for cinema and commitment to unite art and entertainment, creativity and industry will give all of us the pleasure to support and celebrate highly talented, outstanding European filmmakers together. Warmest Congratulations to all 2012 Nominees!


Agnes Havas, Managing Director

The Luxembourgers are on board! It is with great satisfaction and pleasure that the Luxembourg Film Fund support the European Film Awards. Our national film industry lives above all through European co-productions and for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg it is absolutely important that the work and talent in all these films should be recognised and rewarded.

Guy Daleiden, Managing Director

The Macedonian Film Fund was established with the aim of providing comprehensive funding and promotion for films and film authors, and therefore to support the development of cinematography. Being associated with the European Film Academy gives us a wonderful opportunity to affirm our orientation for the equal treatment and support of national and international co-productions as a way of providing international distribution, recognition and promotion of European films. In that way, the European Film Awards are a celebration of the annual film creativity and a great tool for the promotion of European films and filmmakers!

Darko Basheski, CEO

Supporting young talents as well as acclaimed artists we strongly believe in the diversity of European culture expressed through European films. As a region placed in the middle of Europe making borders with close European friends we are convinced of coproduction and the outstanding work of the European Film Academy and therefore feel much honoured to be the patron of the 25th edition of the European Film Awards.

Gabriele Röthemeyer, CEO

Cyprus’ Ministry of Education and Culture is pleased to be associated with an organisation, having as its central aim to promote Europe’s film culture. I strongly believe that, by supporting the European Film Academy, we support European excellence in cinematographic works, communicate European values, as well as strengthening dialogue between different countries.

Dr. George Demosthenous, Minister of Education and Culture of Cyprus

Dutch films currently enjoy increasing domestic success. Furthermore, especially children films and documentaries are performing well at the major international platforms. For our small country with its limited language area, it is essential to belong to a strong and vibrant European film culture. We feel it is important to participate in the further profiling and expansion of the eclectic European film with its own values and distinct character. Dutch film makers are extending their focus to other European countries and are increasingly participating in international co-productions. The European Film Academy plays a vital role in presenting and awarding European talent and we are honoured to be a patron.

Doreen Boonekamp, CEO

The European Film Academy has always been dear to Polish hearts. Since 2006, when we were greatly privileged to host the Awards Ceremony in Warsaw, the Polish Film Institute truly feels a part of the European film family. I congratulate all the nominees of this year’s European Film Awards. We are all eagerly looking forward to see the results of EFA this year and the years to come.

Agnieszka Odorowicz, Director

It is wonderful to see the list of past winners and nominees of the European Film Award every year, as it shows the greatness of European cinema and what we stand for and Svensk Filmindustri is delighted to support this yearly event. Svensk Filmindustri AB, being one of world’s oldest film companies, appreciate The European Film Awards' successful attempt to acknowledge top quality will continue to inspire the audience to enjoy stories on the big screen.

Ann-Kristin Westerberg, COO - Rights & International Sales

Film is essential for a democracy. Without it, many voices would never be heard, and all kinds of stories never be told. Thanks to the EFA, we are given a chance to see the fantastic diversity in Europe and share our realities, creating an understanding across the borders. My colleagues and I at the Swedish Film Institute are very proud to be one of the patrons of the EFA and present our Swedish films, just as much as we are looking forward to discover other important stories from all over Europe.

Anna Serner, CEO

The SWISS FILMS Foundation is the promotion agency for Swiss filmmaking. As a partner to Swiss filmmakers, it reinforces the visibility and positive awareness of Swiss filmmaking at home and abroad. The foundation’s primary tasks include distribution, networking and cultural promotion of Swiss filmmaking. SWISS FILMS directs its activities towards film distributors, media professionals, special-interest groups, cultural institutions and sectors of the general public interested in film. SWISS FILMS is one of the ten founding members of the European Film Promotion (EFP).

Micha Schiwow, Director Swiss Films

Watching a European film is like experiencing a special mixture of familiarity and exoticism. All these characters, social spheres, jokes, joys, concerns and sorrows – they look like ours and strange at the same time. This strangeness helps us to gain a new perspective and with it, a new, more accurate and enriching view of the world. We are proud to be a part of this process and thank all the European film authors for giving us an opportunity to see our reality more closely through their works.

Maria Nadolna, Managing Director, International Affairs Dept.