Canon continues support for aspiring filmmakers at Berlinale Talents 2015

Oslo, 02 February 2015 – Canon is proud to announce its third year as Principal Partner at Berlinale Talents– the creative networking event for emerging film industry talent that is part of the Berlin International Film Festival. Reflecting an ongoing commitment to helping develop and nurture the skills of new industry creatives, Canon will offer attendees exclusive, hands-on experiences with the latest innovations in technology, and host a series of workshops with industry leading experts.

The workshops will offer professional hints and tips to help film-makers develop their own creative style and improve their shooting technique. Canon will also showcase its latest developments in digital cinema technology, with demonstrations that show how Canon cameras and lenses are used in the production of major motion pictures. Expert presenters this year include Peter Zeitlinger, an accomplished filmmaker and cinematographer who has worked on numerous films by Ulrich Seidl and Werner Herzog, including Herzog’s latest film ‘Queen of the Desert’, presented in this year’s Berlinale Competition.

For hands-on experience with the latest technology, the Canon Camera Studio will have a range of Canon products available for Camera Studio participants to use, helping them to develop their skills. In addition, Canon’s space in HAU 2 will offer product touch and try, and workflow demonstrations to all attendees – spanning both the EOS and XF ranges. For the first time Canon is also offering 24 hour loans of the Canon EOS C100, enabling attendees to have an extended, first-hand experience of using all the features of the device.

In addition, acclaimed portrait photographer Rob Oades will be on site with Canon, capturing unique portraits of the 300 selected talents. Rob previously worked with Rafael Stahelin and Rankin, before breaking out to develop his own signature style.

To celebrate the continued Berlinale partnership Canon will unveil several short films, commissioned with aspiring cinematographers from the 2014 event, to showcase the best and brightest new filmmaking talent. The series will be shown at the Canon Early Bird Breakfast session and will later be available on the Canon Professional Network website.

“At Canon we continually help new filmmaking talent break through and progress, on both a creative and professional level. This year we are working with some of the industry’s top experts to offer newer film makers the chance to learn about and experience the latest techniques and technology on offer,” said Kieran Magee, Director of Professional Imaging, Canon Europe. “As well as learning new skills, Berlinale offers attendees the opportunity to network and build valuable professional connections, and we at Canon are proud to support that”.

Ahead of the event, aspiring film makers were also given the opportunity to get involved by posting a 15 second ‘microfilm’ to Facebook™ based on the theme ‘space to play’, using the hashtag #spacetoPlay. The top prize is a red carpet VIP experience at Berlin International Film Festival 2015, while runners-up will receive a Legria Mini . More information can be found by heading over to the Canon Facebook page.

Berlinale Talents runs over six days during the Berlin International Film Festival, from 7^th-12^th February, 2015. Eligible attendees include emerging film professionals in the first 10 years of their career, spanning all areas of the industry, including actors, cinematographers, directors, editors, producers, production designers, screen writers, distributors, sound designers and composers.