Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic – 5 July 2023 – European Film Promotion (“EFP”) and Allwyn, a leading multi-national lottery operator, are pleased to announce Amalie Maria Nielsen of Denmark as the first ever Future Frames participant at KVIFF to receive the scholarship to Los Angeles.
The scholarship to Los Angeles is new to the Future Frames initiative this year and was made possible in close collaboration with talent agency UTA, management company Range Media Partners and the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (“KVIFF”), Czech Republic.
Amalie’s film, The Shift, was nominated for both a Crystal Bear and a Teddy award at the 2023 edition of the Berlinale. The short film explores the fragility of gender identity, whilst also reflecting on the importance of having a source of support at times when our perception of ourselves is changing.
Since 2015, EFP Future Frames has supported outstanding emerging directors from Europe in launching their careers in the film industry. Allwyn’s newly-created partnership with Future Frames aims to provide further opportunities for aspiring film makers, giving them a chance to showcase their talent and raise their profile on an international stage. As part of the scholarship, Amalie will learn from, and work with, some of the best talent in the film industry through a dedicated program of mentoring, shadowing, and training.
Amalie Maria Nielsen said: “I am overwhelmed and honoured to have received this scholarship, and would like to express my thanks to the KVIFF, EFP and Allwyn for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s been such a pleasure to be part of the Future Frames initiative at Karlovy Vary and sharing experiences with other talented filmmakers has been hugely inspiring. Future Frames sends a strong message about the power of film in connecting people across borders and I am very excited to be heading to Los Angeles to learn from some of the best in the industry and further represent European cinema abroad.”
Robert Chvátal, CEO of Allwyn, commented: “On behalf of the entire Allwyn family, I congratulate Amalie Maria Nielsen on receiving the first ever Future Frames scholarship to Los Angeles, which is a testament to both the strength of The Shift as a film and her creative talent. Allwyn is proud of our partnership with Future Frames that provides promising young talent with opportunities to help them succeed in the film industry, and I want to thank all our nominees for participating in this year’s event. I look forward to what the future holds for each of them and to continuing to play a small part in supporting those who strive to become the world’s greatest filmmakers.”
Kryštof Mucha, Executive Director of the KVIFF, said: “I would like to offer my many congratulations to Amalie Maria Nielsen on receiving this year’s Future Frames scholarship with their film The Shift. This year’s programme truly represented the exceptional diversity of talent that makes up European cinema. I look forward to watching what awaits all of our directors in the years ahead and of course seeing how the Future Frames scholarship to Los Angeles helps to inspire Amalie Maria Nielsen on their own path.”
Markéta Šantrochová, President of EFP, commented: “We are very grateful for this new collaboration and the opportunity to open our Future Frames programme overseas. We are sure that Amalie Maria Nielson will return to Europe with very valuable input and a fantastic experience.”
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About Allwyn
Allwyn is a leading multi-national lottery operator. Allwyn builds better lotteries that return more to good causes by focusing on innovation, technology, efficiency and safety across a growing casual gaming entertainment portfolio. The lottery-first approach of focusing on affordable recreational play has earned Allwyn leading market positions with trusted brands across Europe in Austria, Czech Republic, Greece and Cyprus, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States (Illinois).
About Amalie Maria Nielsen
Amalie grew up on the Danish Island of Fyn with her single mother and is now based in Copenhagen. In 2022 she graduated from the Danish films school 18 Frames and is now working as a director. In her work she is driven by her curiosity and need to question human behaviour in a modern setting and is particularly interested in our ever-changing understanding of sexuality, boundaries and intimacy.
About the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is the largest film festival in the Czech Republic and the most prestigious such festival in Central and Eastern Europe. Founded in 1946, it is one of the oldest “A-list” film festivals (i.e., non-specialized festivals with a competition for feature-length fiction films), a category it shares with the festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Venice, San Sebastian, Shanghai, and Tokyo. Among filmmakers, buyers, distributors, sales agents, and journalists, KVIFF is considered the most important event in all of Central and Eastern Europe.
Every year, the festival presents some 200 films from around the world, and regularly hosts famous and important filmmakers. The Karlovy Vary festival is intended for both film professionals and the general public, and offers visitors a carefully designed programme, excellent facilities and a broad range of other services.
About Future Frames
Since it started in 2015, Future Frames presents ten outstanding emerging directors from Europe each year at the Karlovy Vary IFF. Recommended by the European Film Promotion member organisations and selected by a team at Karlovy Vary IFF, the ten outstanding film students and graduates from schools throughout Europe take part in a tailor-made programme - containing training, networking and promotion to kick-start their international film careers. The young professionals also take part in an exclusive masterclass with an internationally renowned filmmaker and have industry meetings with festival programmers, world sales agents, producers, film funders and other important industry members.
About European Film Promotion
EFP is the international network of the film promotion institutes from 37 countries from throughout Europe. Under the label EUROPE! FILMS. TALENT. SPIRIT. EFP promotes the diversity of European cinema all over the world.
