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Check FAQAbout Davide
I am a journalist and film critic based in Cork, Ireland. I currently work as a foreign correspondent for the EU-funded press agency Cineuropa. I regularly write reviews, interviews, news and industry report about Irish and European cinemas. I provide extensive coverage of international film events such as the Berlinale, Strasbourg’s Lux Prize, Venice's Biennale, Toronto Film Festival, Tallinn’s Black Nights, Galway Film Fleadh, Amsterdam’s IDFA, Locarno Film Festival, Rotterdam’s IFFR and many others. My bylines appeared on other international outlets such as Variety, New Scientist, The New Arab, POV Magazine, Filmexplorer, The Location Guide, the Reader’s Digest, the Independent Cinema Office’s blog, the Europa Distribution’s Blog and Film Ireland. I am interested in covering film, media and culture topics with a special focus on Ireland, the UK and the EU. Moreover, I am a film curator for the project Support to EU Film Festivals, whose primary mission is to enhance the quality of EU Film Festivals organised by the delegations of the European Union worldwide. I occasionally work as a freelance festival consultant and as an External Examiner in Film Studies for the International Baccalaureate. I am a PhD Excellence Scholar in Film and Screen Media at University College Cork. My research project comprises the writing of an academic dissertation and the making of a feature-length documentary film. I have been lecturing and holding conferences in France, Ireland, Latvia, India and Poland.
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Portfolio
Industry Report: Animation at Cartoon Springboard 2023
Cartoon Springboard is hosting its event in Madrid, showcasing 24 animation projects by emerging European talents. Six projects are highlighted, including 'No Pets!' by Davide Veca, 'Azul’s Journey' by Aline Romero, 'Maestitia' by Merel Hamers, 'Chestnut Kid' by Marta Pellicer, and 'Silence Sometimes' by Álvaro Robles. These projects are in various stages of development, with some seeking funding and others planning production timelines. The Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain supports the event through its residency program.
IPR.VC launches €100 million film and TV fund
IPR.VC Management, a Finnish fund management company, has completed the initial closing of its largest audiovisual production fund, IPR.VC Fund III, with €60.5 million secured towards a €100 million target. Andrea Scarso has been appointed as partner and investment director, operating from the London office. The company, established in 2015, has raised €150 million for content funds and allocated capital to 35 projects in Europe and the USA. Timo Argillander, co-founder and managing partner, emphasizes the value of premium content and the company's role in supporting creatives and investors. Scarso is eager to contribute to IPR.VC's growth and forge new partnerships.
Patricia Arquette discusses Give Love's efforts to empower communities in poverty
At the Human Rights Film Festival Berlin, actress Patricia Arquette and Give Love programme director Alisa Keesey discussed their NGO's mission to provide sustainable sanitation solutions in poverty-stricken areas. Founded in 2010, Give Love has worked in countries like Haiti, Colombia, and Kenya. Arquette emphasized the urgency of addressing sanitation, a neglected emergency, and shared her journey from being moved by Haiti's earthquake to leveraging her fame for the cause. The upcoming documentary 'Holy Shit – Can Poop Save the World?' will feature Give Love's work.
Industry Report: Animation
Eliza Jäppinen, CEO of Visible Realms and creative producer of Studio Killers, will host a keynote speech about animation and social media at Madrid's Cartoon Springboard event. She discusses her background, the importance of the event for industry newcomers, and her presentation's focus on leveraging social media and gaming to build and engage audiences for intellectual properties. Jäppinen highlights the viral success of Studio Killers on TikTok and notes the potential for social media to revolutionize IP development, citing European games like Cut the Rope and Angry Birds as examples of successful animation campaigns leading to broader media projects.
Arte boards brand-new Icelandic series Reykjavik Fusion
Arte has acquired the rights for the Icelandic series Reykjavik Fusion for France and German-speaking territories. The show, produced by the newly launched local outfit ACT4, involves a talented chef trying to clear his name after wrongful imprisonment by setting up a fine-dining restaurant that doubles as a money-laundering operation. The series is created by Hörður Rúnarsson, co-written with Birkir Blær Ingólfsson, and will be internationally distributed by Wild Sheep Content.
EXCLUSIVE: Feline Films producer Jessie Fisk reveals details about Eóin Heaney’s My Hands
Eóin Heaney's upcoming drama My Hands, in development and set for presentation at the Berlinale Co-Production Market, follows a profoundly deaf teenager in 1950s Ireland who becomes a local celebrity for her supposed healing powers. The film, written by Heaney and based on an idea by himself and Nora Windeck, explores themes of belief, exploitation, and rebellion within an industrial school for young deaf women. Produced by Feline Films with a budget of €2.5 million and backed by Screen Ireland, the project will enter production in Ireland in early 2025 and will be filmed in English and Irish Sign Language. Producer Jessie Fisk is set to present the project to potential partners at the Berlinale Co-Production Market.
Phoebe Nir ready with Rotterdam title Eco Village
Phoebe Nir's debut feature, Eco Village, starring Sidney Flanigan, is set to premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. The film, described as a gonzo musical about female desire, follows a young drifter who encounters a world of sexual anarchy and drug use in an eco-village. The cast includes Lindsay Burdge and Alex Breaux, with a technical crew featuring Sean Dahlberg and Brandon Powers. Shot on 16 mm film, the movie aims to evoke a classic, hallucinogenic fantasy world. Producer Luca Severi of Luca Severi Production Group praised the film's vision and style, expressing pride in presenting it at IFFR.
The Netherlands Film Fund invests €6.7 million in 13 new projects
The Netherlands Film Fund has allocated €6.7 million in its fourth 2023 funding round to support 13 new projects, including six fiction features, one documentary feature, one animated film, two drama series, one documentary series, and two animated series. These projects are expected to generate over €23.6 million in production spend in the Netherlands. The largest grant was awarded to Eddy Terstall's 'Johan’s Country'. Other notable projects include Frank van Passel's 'Foley Man', David Cocheret's 'Full Moon', and the documentary feature 'The Fifth Journey' by Louis Hothothot.
Industry interview: Andrea Prenghyová, founder of dok.incubator
Andrea Prenghyová, director and founder of dok.incubator, discusses the evolving mission of the Prague-based documentary development program in response to market changes, especially post-pandemic. The program, which includes rough-cut workshops and focuses on the entire project development, aims to make documentaries more visible and accessible. Prenghyová emphasizes the importance of storytelling and audience engagement in a saturated content market. Dok.incubator's international workshop is open for applications, with activities in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The program has expanded to include regional workshops and a new platform for Visegrad countries. Successful projects include 'Agent of Happiness', 'Who I Am Not', 'Between Revolutions', 'Motherland', and 'Light Falls Vertical', the latter reshaped significantly through dok.incubator's guidance, leading to finance and a Special Mention at IDFA 2023.
From Gaddafi's demise to a decade of Libyan civil war
Muhannad Lamin's debut feature 'Donga' is a documentary that covers ten years of Libyan history, starting from the 2011 First Libyan Civil War and the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime. The film, which premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, follows the main character Donga, a young man from Misrata who documents the revolution and subsequent events, including the fight against the Islamic State and General Khalifa Haftar's military campaign. The narrative, rich in flashbacks and set between 2011 and 2021, reflects the disillusionment of many Libyans. Despite its empathic connection with viewers, the film's impact is somewhat lessened by a convoluted structure and pacing issues.
The National Film Centre of Latvia unveils its latest batch of supported projects
The National Film Centre of Latvia has announced nine new projects supported by the European Regional Development Fund, including four drama series, four fiction features, and one documentary feature. The projects, which received funding through a 2022 call, aim to stimulate Latvian film production growth, mitigate pandemic consequences, and preserve jobs. The series include 'Boarding House at the Manor', 'Soviet Jeans', 'Mutiny', and 'The Assistant', while the documentary feature is 'Coming of Age'. The fiction features are 'BOOM!', 'Youth Eternal', 'Escape Net', and 'Dog of God'. These projects are set for release from 2024 onwards in theaters, online, and later on TV.
Laceno d’oro interview: Aldo Spiniello, Head of Programming
The Laceno d’oro film festival in Avellino, Italy, is a significant winter event showcasing fiction and non-fiction films with socio-political themes. Founded in 1959 by Camillo Marino, it has a history of focusing on Eastern European cinema and political films. The festival, which has hosted figures like Ken Loach and the Dardenne Brothers, now includes a main competition with a spotlight on documentaries. Aldo Spiniello, the Head of Programming, emphasizes the challenge of finding innovative documentaries and the importance of films with strong themes and personal storytelling. Highlights of this year's festival include works by Oskar Alegria, Jean-Gabriel Périot, Lois Patiño, Leandro Picarella, Stefano Croci, Silvia Siberini, and Ali Razi. Spiniello also comments on the Italian documentary scene, noting a stagnation due to the influence of streaming platforms and standardized formats, but acknowledges the continued artistic research by filmmakers like Giovanni Cioni, Massimo D’Anolfi, and Martina Parenti.
Norwegian-Kurdish director Brwa Vahabpour’s feature debut, Europe, enters post-production
Brwa Vahabpour, a Norwegian-Kurdish director, has his debut feature film, a dramedy titled Europe, currently in post-production. The film, which he penned with Molly Steensgard and Răzvan Radulescu, follows a young man named Akam in Norway whose life is disrupted by an unexpected visit from his uncle from Kurdistan. The film explores the personal and ethical challenges Akam faces due to his uncle's visit against the backdrop of Norwegian authority. The cast includes Peiman Azizpour, Hamza Agoshi, and Sarah Francesca Brænne, with technical contributions from Jørgen Klüver, Kristian Lahn Vestby, and editors Cătălin Cristuțiu and Brynjar Lien Aune. Produced by Renée Hansen Mlodyszewski for True Content Production Norway and co-produced by Anda Ionescu for Romania's Tangaj Production, the film has received financial support from various Norwegian and Nordic institutions.
Chiara Zappalà discusses the European Film Factory project at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event
Chiara Zappalà, manager of the European Film Factory project for the Institut français, discussed the initiative at Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event. The project, supported by the MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe programme, aims to advance film education across Europe. It provides a catalogue of films and educational resources to European students and includes master classes and webinars. The platform is available in 38 Member States and offers content in nine languages. It features educational kits, interactive tools for film analysis, and resources for organising screenings and discussions. Insights from a workshop on film literacy were shared, highlighting best practices for implementing film literacy activities in class.
Emma Dante • Director of Misericordia
Emma Dante discusses her latest feature film 'Misericordia', which premiered at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, and its origins from a 2020 play. She highlights the transition from theater to film, the collaborative effort with co-screenwriters Elena Stancanelli and Giorgio Vasta, and the contributions of the cast and crew, including director of photography Clarissa Cappellani and casting director Maurilio Mangano. Dante also touches on the film's themes, the non-traditional family dynamics portrayed, and the use of music by composer Gianluca Porcu, which was inspired by the Pinocchio soundtrack by Fiorenzo Carpi.
Review: The Quiet Maid
Miguel Faus' debut feature, 'The Quiet Maid', is a satirical film about the detachment of the ultrarich from reality. Set in a mansion in Costa Brava, it follows Ana, a Colombian servant, as she navigates her oppressive work environment and eventually poses as the mansion's owner on a dating app. The film, which premiered at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, is critiqued for its conventional narrative and lack of sardonic writing, despite solid directing and a timely subplot involving cryptocurrencies. It is notable for being the first European feature funded through the sale of NFTs.
Online short-film market T-Port announces its 2023 Lighthouse Selections
T-Port, an online short-film market, has announced its 2023 Lighthouse Selections, showcasing a diverse collection of short films from nine countries and in 13 languages. The selection was curated by industry experts Laurence Boyce and Maike Mia Höhne and features a variety of genres and a gender split of 56% female to 44% male filmmakers. The films, some of which have been recognized in festivals like Locarno, Cannes, Tribeca, and the Berlinale, were submitted by independent filmmakers, film schools, and distribution players. The collection will be officially launched at the Torino Film Festival and the Talents and Short Film Market, with screenings scheduled for late November. T-Port, supported by the Creative Europe - MEDIA programme and the Gesher Multicultural Film Fund, is a non-profit platform that promotes emerging talent and facilitates the distribution of short films within the industry.
Head of programme, IDFA
Joost Daamen, head of programme for the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), discusses the 2023 line-up, the new venue, and the creation of the Signed strand. The festival features a diverse international competition with both renowned and new filmmakers. The Signed strand replaces the Masters section, focusing on directors with strong cinematic signatures. IDFA has moved to a new venue with a cinema and multi-purpose space, aiming to program documentaries year-round. Efforts have been made to enhance audience experience, including sensory-friendly screenings and closed captioning.
Michel Gondry Talks Making of ‘The Book of Solutions,’ Joys and Pains of Creativity
Michel Gondry presented 'The Book of Solutions' at Lucca Comics & Games, discussing the principles of creativity and urging directors to embrace risk and fight perfectionism. The film, which premiered at Cannes Film Festival, follows a director overcoming creative obstacles. Gondry and his editor Élise Fievet enjoy a peaceful working relationship, and the film is set in a village significant to Gondry's childhood. Gondry emphasizes the importance of actualizing creativity and describes the exhilaration and fear when ideas materialize.
‘300,’ ‘Sin City’ Creator Frank Miller on Setting Up His Own Publishing Banner: ‘It’s Time to Be an Adult’
Frank Miller, known for '300' and 'Sin City,' has launched Frank Miller Presents to explore new creative avenues and work with undiscovered talents. The banner is focusing on 'Ronin,' a cyberpunk tale with new volumes by Philip Tan and Daniel Henriques, and 'Pandora,' a dark fairytale produced with The Kubert School. Miller reflects on the complementary nature of movies and comics, his admiration for both European and U.S. artists, and the enduring appeal of crime stories and noir fantasy.
Lucca Comics & Games 2023 Fest Offers Something for Every Fan, From ‘Harry Potter’ to ‘Hunger Games’
Lucca Comics & Games, Europe's largest geek convention, will take place in Lucca, Italy, from November 1-5, featuring movies, series, comics, games, and live events. Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike, the festival will host a variety of content, including Michel Gondry's masterclass, Frank Miller's celebration of '300', and new releases from Netflix and Blumhouse. Italian genre cinema is highlighted, with local productions and famous Italian guests. The event will also feature themed installations, parades, and exhibitions for franchises like 'Jurassic Park', 'Barbie', 'Doctor Who', 'Harry Potter', and more. New additions include an esports stadium sponsored by Riot Games and the Isybank Community Village. Lucca stands out for its international appeal, hosting nine mangakas and catering to a global audience.
Notorious Pictures Exec on Bringing ‘Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ to Lucca Comics & Games: Fans ‘Deeply Care About This IP’
Notorious Pictures is set to distribute 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' in Italy, taking over from Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures. The film, a prequel to the Hunger Games saga, will be screened for fans at Lucca Comics & Games. The marketing campaign began in March, with multiple trailers and a fan screening event planned, including a themed installation and flash mob. Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike preventing talent attendance, Notorious Pictures is engaging audiences through traditional and social media marketing, in partnership with Mondadori. The film releases in Italian cinemas on November 15, with pre-sales starting October 30. Notorious Pictures has also distributed 'Jeanne du Barry' and will release 'Wonder: White Bird' in January.
REPORT: Cartoon Springboard 2023
Cartoon Springboard 2023 is taking place in Madrid from October 24-26, where 24 animation projects by emerging European talents are being pitched. Cineuropa highlights six projects, including 'No Pets!' by Davide Veca, 'Azul's Journey' by Aline Romero, 'Maestitia' by Merel Hamers, 'Chestnut Kid' by Marta Pellicer, and 'Silence Sometimes' by Álvaro Robles. These projects are in various stages of development, with some seeking production partners and others having secured funding and support, such as from the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain.
Eliza Jäppinen, CEO of Visible Realms, discusses animation and social media
Eliza Jäppinen, CEO of Visible Realms and creative producer of the animated band Studio Killers, will host a keynote speech at Madrid's Cartoon Springboard event on October 24, 2023. She will discuss the intersection of animation and social media, drawing on her experience with Studio Killers, which achieved viral success on TikTok. Jäppinen emphasizes the importance of social media and gaming as foundational elements for developing intellectual properties and building a community presence. She also notes that while social media success often seems random, there are strategies to increase audience engagement.
European Work in Progress Cologne and the International Distribution Summit announce their award winners
The European Work in Progress Cologne and International Distribution Summit concluded with awards given to various film projects. Nine prizes totaling over €61,500 were distributed among 30 projects. Notable winners included Jasmin Gordon's 'The New Illusion' and Ivona Duka's 'Strangers in the Night'. Enrique Costa of Elastica Films received the Best International Innovation Distribution Award for his innovative strategies in film distribution. The events were supported by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and other partners, and took place in Cologne.
The UK and Irish box office grew by 8.3% in 2023 - Industry Report: Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming
In 2023, box-office revenues in Ireland and the UK increased by 8.3%, with Ireland experiencing the highest growth at 13%. The total revenue reached €1.23 billion, although this was still below pre-pandemic levels. The year saw 1,013 new theatrical releases, with a rise in saturation releases despite being impacted by SAG-AFTRA strikes. The Barbenheimer cultural phenomenon, particularly associated with Greta Gerwig and Christopher Nolan, garnered significant attention. The cost-of-living crisis did not appear to affect cinema-going, with Barbie, Oppenheimer, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie being top grossers.
Deckert Distribution Picks Up Berlinale Forum Title ‘Anamnesis’
The article discusses the acquisition of the documentary 'Anamnesis' by German sales outlet Deckert Distribution. The film, directed by Chris Wright and Stefan Kolbe, is set to premiere at the Berlinale's Forum strand. 'Anamnesis' explores the life of Stefan S., a prisoner in Brandenburg Prison, through the last four years of his sentence for murder and sexual offense. The directors grapple with questions about understanding the prisoner's psyche, the effectiveness of therapy for violent criminals, and the nature of evil. To maintain the protagonist's anonymity, his role is portrayed by a puppet in a theater setting. Heino Deckert praises the directors for their unique approach to documentary filmmaking. The film is a product of a co-production between Ma.ja.de Filmproduktion and ZDF/3sat.
Square Eyes Acquires Rotterdam Competition Title ‘Feast’
The article discusses the acquisition of Tim Leyendekker's film 'Feast' by Vienna-based sales outlet Square Eyes, ahead of its world premiere at the Rotterdam Film Festival. 'Feast' is based on the true story of the Groningen HIV case and is structured in seven vignettes, each with a different cinematographer. The film aims to provoke thought about the complexities of news stories. Leyendekker, a visual artist and filmmaker, has previously directed six short films. Square Eyes has a history of acquiring notable films, and 'Feast' is produced by Marc Thelosen, Koert Davidse, and Leyendekker, with support from various Dutch cultural funds. The cast includes several Dutch actors.
Davide Abbatescianni’s Biography
Davide Abbatescianni is a Rome-based freelance journalist and film critic who works as an International Reporter for Cineuropa, covering European cinema through various formats such as news, interviews, and reviews. His work has been featured in numerous international outlets, including Variety and The New Arab. He has attended and reported on major film festivals and industry events around the world. Additionally, Davide is involved in film curation for EU Film Festivals and occasionally works as a festival consultant and an External Examiner in Film Studies. He is also an active member of several film and media organizations and has lectured internationally.
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