First Cut+ is back for its eighth edition since 2020. The programme was initiated by Tatino Films and operates biannually in collaboration with two prominent film-industry platforms: Trieste's When East Meets West and Karlovy Vary's KVIFF Eastern Promises. First Cut+ promotes a portfolio of 16 features annually, with eight films showcased during the winter session at Trieste and the remaining eight presented during the summer session at Karlovy Vary. Participating projects receive valuable insights and advice through lectures and individual mentoring consultations from experienced film-industry consultants, covering various aspects such as promotion, marketing, PR and press, festivals and sales strategy.

Ukrainian producer Natalia Libet manages the programme, with returning advisors including editor Catalin Cristutiu, Katarzyna Siniarska (New Europe Film Sales), Joanna Solecka (Alphapanda), Ninon Benezet and Alexandre Bourg (Nice Guys Agency), Christina Pelekani (Endorphin Film), and journalist Wendy Mitchell.

This July, the programme offers an enriching session entitled "Helping Your Film to the International Market: Editing, PR and Marketing Before You Launch". This session, exclusively available to KVIFF's accredited industry guests, delves into the crucial aspects of preparing a film for the international market. It emphasises the significance of editing, PR and marketing strategies in maximising a film's potential. The panellists including award-winning Romanian editor Catalin Cristutiu, Laurin Dietrich (PR and marketing expert from Wolf Consultants) and Matthieu Darras, CEO of Tatino Films and co-founder of First Cut Lab, who will share practical strategies to ensure a film successfully resonates with global audiences.

While maintaining its commitment to Central and Eastern European films, First Cut+ now extends its reach to projects from Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Belgium. In collaboration with Projeto Paradiso, it continues to showcase the diverse range of talents emerging from Brazil as well. It's worth noting that out of the eight projects in this selection, six are debut films.

Thanks to sponsorship from TRT, the Turkish public broadcaster, the First Cut+ TRT Award offers a cash prize of €5,000 to support and recognise an outstanding project. The recipient will be determined by a jury comprising Esra Demirkiran from TRT, Francesca Tiberi from True Colours and Marge Liiske from Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event.

The eight projects selected for the Karlovy Vary session of First Cut+ are as follows:

Allen Sunshine - Harley Chamandy (Canada/USA)
Producers: Chantal Chamandy, Laurent Allaire

Era - Parta Kelmendi (Kosovo/North Macedonia)
Producers: Aferdita Saracini Kelmendi, Marija Dimitrova

Family Therapy [+leggi anche:
recensione
intervista: Sonja Prosenc
scheda film] - Sonja Prosenc (Slovenia/Italy/Croatia/Norway/Serbia)
Producer: Rok Sečen

The Garden of Earthly Delights [+leggi anche:
recensione
scheda film] - Morgan Knibbe (Netherlands/Philippines/Belgium)
Producers: Frank Hoeve, Armi Rae Cacanindin 

I Do Not Love You Anymore [+leggi anche:
recensione
scheda film] - Zdeněk Jiráský (Czech Republic/Slovakia/Romania)
Producer: Jordi Niubó

Pasárgada - Dira Paes (Brazil)
Producers: Eliane Ferreira, Dira Paes, Pablo Baião

Raw Material [+leggi anche:
recensione
trailer
scheda film] - Martin Boross (Hungary)
Producers: Gábor Osváth, Dániel Mayer

The Woman Who Cries - George Walker Torres (Brazil/Venezuela)
Producer: Antonio Gonçalves Junior