MEDITERRANEAN FILM INSTITUTE (MFI) is a specialized training organization, focusing on script and project development, while building connections with the audiovisual industry. Established in 1998, it has implemented numerous training and project promoting activities, addressing European film and television professionals, involving an international group of accomplished teachers of cinema and television, as well as industry experts.
MFI’s educational platform offers advanced continuous training for European screenwriters, directors and producers. Furthermore, it has consolidated as a notable meeting forum, providing opportunities for creative exchange and addressing primordial issues relating to feature films, documentaries and series development, as well as international production.
The Institute’s core activity, the MFI Script 2 Film Workshops, is an advanced script and project development program. Its primary objective is to fully develop the participating screenplays through a process of workshops that focus on script analysis, revision and rewriting. Special attention is given to developing each separate project’s potential, while guiding participating writers and producers to strongly connect with international audiences and industry professionals.
MFI’s core activities include script writing and development workshop programs for short films and features both in Greece and Cyprus.
We take pride in having introduced an advanced and consistent screenwriting methodology to the Greek – speaking audio visual market. Our projects have received numerous important local and international awards, and have enjoyed widespread commercial success.
Institute’s Brief History
Mediterranean Film Institute’s training activities include a series of advanced, intense professional workshops for short and feature films, documentaries and television series, European and national alike:
MFI Script 2 Film Workshop (script and project development)
First period: 1998 – 2000 (for 20 Greek feature film projects)
• The activity set the standards for script development in Greece
• The vast majority of participating projects went on to be produced
• An important percentage of produced films were awarded top Greek and International prizes and received commercial distribution
Second period: 2000 – present (with the support of the CREATIVE EUROPE/MEDIA training programme of the European Union)
• More than 450 European filmmakers from 27 different countries have joined as participants with projects
• More than 350 projects were developed
• An average 17% went on to be produced and be successfully distributed theatrically as well as on all other distribution platforms (home video, television, etc)
• The majority have been selected to compete in important international film festivals (notably Venice, Berlin, Locarno, Toronto, Rotterdam, Sundance, Karlovy Vary, Montreal). Many of our developed projects have won significant awards, including an Academy Award Oscar winner!
• Many other MFI developed projects went ahead to win at Venice, Locarno, Montpellier, as well as receive prizes at the German Film Awards, the David di Donatello Awards etc
MFI Short Film Workshops (short films script and project development)
First period: 1999 – 2004 (implemented in Greece, in co-operation with the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation – ERT)
• A total of 100 short film screenplays were developed and re-written
• 80 of them were produced by ERT; a high percentage among those won important awards and distinctions in national and international film festivals
Second period: 2008 – present (implemented in Greece, in co-operation with the Greek National TV (ERT) and the Greek Film Center (GFC)
• A total of 170 short film scripts have been/will be developed and re-written
• Approx. 130 of them have been produced/will be produced by the Greek National TV and the GFC
Educational Agenda
Approach
MFI emphasizes on the development of the dramatization techniques that will ensure stimulating the audience. The Institute approaches the task of script and project development methodically, without any set, pre-fabricated rules but rather by extending the dedicated hand of vested professionals to the participants, successfully guiding them through the difficult process of discovering and establishing each specific project’s qualities and potential.
Special attention and care given towards cultural sensitivities and regional/national narrative concerns are of essence to this approach. We are committed to helping develop projects that will touch a wide variety of European and international audiences and we aim to guide audiovisual works offering strong emotional experiences all the way to production.
We take pride in assuming that local and culturally specific stories are worth to be told – in the best tradition of European film heritage.
Objectives
• To improve participating projects’ and screenplays’ artistic quality, dramatic impact and production potential
• To increase participants’ awareness and knowledge of the development and international production processes
• To introduce participants to the necessary strategies and to vested professionals towards the promotion of their projects and to guide their search of support on a European level
• To offer participants contacts on an international level, networking and producing opportunities and actual help from MFI’s partners in the audiovisual industry (i.e. production outlets, broadcasting companies, distributors and sales agents, co-production markets etc.)