Viewpoints: acquisitions strategies

Bjorn Jensen
Managing Director
Ginger Foot Films
Germany

What are your acquisition strategies?

I am mainly looking for documentaries for the German TV and DVD market. But depending on the product, I might also be interested in other territories. Besides looking for finished products, I also offer my participation as a co-producer in the financing stage. I believe that it is becoming increasingly important for independent producers to build an international network of partners and set up a long lasting vertically integrated value chain across countries (from author/director  to producer to distributor to TV station/mobile/Internet/DVD licensor).

The Wall

What products are you looking for?

I am looking for high quality documentary films that tell a strong story, and that are emotionally linked to one or more characters. Documentaries, current affaires, profiles, music or art films with a length of 30, 45, 52, 60 or 90 minutes.

What were your key acquisition deals in 2007?

The current affaires and human interest films by wonderful Israeli-Dutch filmmaker Benny Brunner "Al Nakba - The Palestinian Catastrophe 1948", "The Concrete Curtain", "The Wall", "Its No Dream", "The Lobby" and "Children of Abraham and Sophie", the atmospheric travel films by Hilde Bechert "The White Land", "The Gold of Cabras", "Destination Finland" and "The Pine Cone Train" and an entertaining trilogy on Italian opera houses by Reiner Penzholz "La Fenice", "Scala Scalissima" and "Scene Changes".   

What are your plans for MIPTV?

Meeting TV stations, distributors and independent producers. Expanding my network. Have fun and enjoy a tasty cafe au lait, while overlooking the harbor.