Doubling of Members by the International Casting Directors Network
A doubling of members has been registered by the International Casting Directors Network (ICDN) which was founded at the Berlinale in 2005 in association with European Film Promotion's (EFP) initiative SHOOTING STARS.After only four years, this first and only network of leading internationally operating casting directors now has twice as many members, no less than 30 from 11 European countries and the USA. With the increase in international co-productions and film castings, there has been a growing interest among casting directors for collaboration with colleagues with other countries.
"Casting directors traditionally tend to work on a national level and independently of one another," says Karin Dix, project manager for SHOOTING STARS. "The network gives them the opportunity to exchange professional experiences on an international level, make use of synergies and provide support for one another." Until now, this young professional group had only been organised in national associations.
Cornelia von Braun, casting director from Germany (Dune, Martha and I) adds: "For the international sales, a cast is necessary with which the audience in different countries can identify. The viewing habits remain national. Casting directors are acquainted with this national phenomenon and know which actors are interesting for their national markets."
She welcomes the fact that "the ICDN is a panel where casting directors get to meet one another personally and can help one another on international projects. International casting becomes easier. We can draw on the knowhow of our colleagues in a fast and uncomplicated way. The projects benefit from these synergetic effects."
EFP's project SHOOTING STARS led to the best casting directors being brought together around one table. EFP has been presenting the best young European acting talents at the Berlinale for the past 12 years and puts them into contact with, among others, directors, producers and international casting directors. For many SHOOTING STARS, the personal conversation has often been followed by an invitation to a casting session of an international production. For the casting directors, on the other hand, SHOOTING STARS has become an important annual talent forum where they can get to know actors from different countries in Europe in one place.
"SHOOTING STARS is an unmissable part of my year", says Leo Davis, casting director from UK (The Constant Gardener, The Queen) and ICDN member. "It is exciting to get to meet so many talented European actors - as well as directors and casting directors - over one weekend, and in Berlin."
In spite of the growing interest, the ICDN intends to remain a "club of the best", with such well-known names as Juliette Ménager from France (Babel), Simone Bär from Germany (The Lives Of Others), Béatrice Kruger from Italy (Italian part of The International) and Debbie McWilliams from UK (James Bond) as members.
The criteria for membership are strict: each applicant must be able to provide evidence of several years' experience of casting for films, have cast for at least three international co-productions, been recommended by three ICDN members, and should not be practising as an agent at the same time. Three new casting directors were accepted as members after this year's meeting of the network at the Berlinale: Gérard Moulevrier from France (Welcome to the Sticks), Rebecca van Unen from The Netherlands (Dunja & Desie) and Harika Uygur from Turkey (The International).
All members of the ICDN with contact details and short filmlist can be found at www.shooting-stars.eu.
Contact: Karin Dix, project manager EFP/ SHOOTING STARS: +49 40- 390 6252, dix@efp-online.com or Mareen Gerisch, press EFP: +49 40- 390 6252, gerisch@efp-online.com
EFP is supported by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union and by its member organisations. In addition, promotion and PR activities are backed by the Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC) as well as by private sponsors. The Hamburg-based office is financially supported by the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and the Department for Culture, Sports and Media of the City of Hamburg.