ANNUAL WIFT BERLINALE EVENT 2021

Officially supported by 71st Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin

A collaboration of WIFT Germany with WIFT Sweden, WIFT International, WIF LA, WIFT India, WIFT Africa & Nigeria

All you need is love: Reimagining RomComs in Bollywood, Nollywood & Hollywood

Compelling storytelling with changing faces of love

Love is universal and our shared language all around the globe. The quest for love is everlasting, and so is the quest for relevant romantic comedies. As in life and the entertainment industry, women are becoming more empowered and today's romantic comedies are embracing more diverse relationships across ethnicities, backgrounds, sexes and ages.

From Asia to Africa, and from Europe to the Americas:

With this event we will explore the cultural perspectives on love across the world's most influential film industries: Bollywood, Nollywood and Hollywood. Experts will discuss the beloved genre's classics as well as new opportunities of storytelling today and for the future.

PROGRAM:

5pm (CET)

Welcome WIFT

Opening Note Mariette Rissenbeek, Co-head Berlinale

PANELS

3-5 Deep Dive Interviews (1-on-1, ca. 15min each)

Moderated by Wendy Mitchell

(intros and interviews accessible for WIFT members and non-members)

Writer-director Alankrita Shrivastava from India (Amazon Prime Original Series "Made in Heaven", Mumbai Film Festival winner "Lipstick under my Burkha")

Writer-director Hamisha Daryani Ahuja from Nigeria (Netflix Original "Namaste Wahala")

Actor-Writer-director Clea DuVall from the USA (ReFrame stamp winner "Happiest Season", Sundance winner "The Intervention")

Producer Dr. Lisa Blumenberg from Germany (I’M YOUR MAN selected for Berlinale Official Competition 2021, ZDF/Arte Mini Series BAD BANKS)

6.15 pm (CET)

NETWORKING

Queen's Tables (ca. 20min)

Each Table with a focus theme, introduced by a moderator (ca 3min), followed by a quick intro (30sec) of each of the ca 10 attendees from the audience.

Each Queen's Table will be moderated by a special guest.

(exclusive access for WIFT members from all around the world)

Speednetworking (ca. 20min)

-> transfer traditional format from our physical event at Berlinale into the virtual world

Quick 2min-meetings curated by Zoom's random generator

(exclusive access for WIFT members from all around the world)

Please notice: By attending this event, you agree to any photographs and/or recorded footage of your person being taken and released in connection with this event.