Interview with Torsten Frehse, Co-Director and Founder EWIP-European Work in Progress

Torsten Frehse, director and founder of the EWIP – European Work in Progress platform, discusses the significance of this initiative in supporting European and international film projects. The conversation highlights the platform’s role in bridging the gap between production and distribution, and  emphasizes the importance of EWIP in fostering a more dynamic and accessible market for emerging filmmakers.

The role of EWIP in shaping film distribution strategies

Frehse explains that EWIP serves as a crucial marketplace where projects in the midst of production or post-production can be showcased to a targeted audience of buyers, sales agents, and festival representatives. It’s focus on distribution is due to the extensive experience of its director: Torsten Frehse is CEO of the German distribution company Neue Visionen, and his co-director Olimpia Pont Cháfer, is the coordinator of the Spanish film distributor association, ADICINE and responsable of acquistions of the German distribution company Piffl Medien.
It’s not a chance, in fact, that in its 4th edition, EWIP developed the International Film Distribution Summit, which runs right after and complements it.
Unlike co-production markets, EWIP focuses on filling gaps in financing and distribution, often helping filmmakers secure the final funding needed to complete their films. The platform’s emphasis on early visibility allows for strategic planning and marketing, giving films a better chance to reach wider audiences and festivals, including major ones like Cannes, Venice, and Berlinale. Frehse notes that the platform’s international scope, including projects from Africa and other regions, enriches the diversity of films presented and broadens distribution opportunities.

EWIP – European Work in Progress as a catalyst for African cinema

One of the key initiatives within EWIP is its focus on authentic African films, which Torsten Frehse describes as a response to the often stereotypical representation of African cinema in the international market. He recounts how his own efforts to connect African filmmakers with European distributors led to the creation of the African European Distribution Academy (AEDA), now part of the international distribution training program Toolbox of the Berlinale EFM. Frehse stresses that the platform aims to showcase genuine stories from Africa, often made by filmmakers from the diaspora, rather than conforming to festival trends or neo-colonial expectations. This approach seeks to give African projects a fairer chance at international circulation, emphasizing authenticity and cultural diversity.

The future of EWIP and IFDS and its impact on film markets

Looking ahead, Torsten Frehse highlights the ongoing evolution of EWIP and IFDS  as a vital hub for innovation in film distribution and financing. He mentions that the platform not only facilitates deals between producers and international sales agents but also fosters dialogue among distributors, funders, and festival programmers. The platform’s awards and in-kind support for completing films are designed to incentivize filmmakers and ensure projects reach the finish line. Frehse concludes that EWIP’s expanding network and its commitment to diverse, bold projects will continue to shape the landscape of European and global cinema, making it an essential part of the industry’s future.