Set up a decade ago by Esther van Messel, (photo) First Hand Films, handles around 30 projects a year, mostly documentaries and TV series, many originating from Scandinavia. Filmsbazaar is another step forward for the company's on-going strategy to ease the access and visibility of independent quality films to potential buyers and financiers. All films presented on Filmsbazaar.com are carefully selected by First Hand Films. They are split into different categories (documentaries, Collections, Fiction, Series), and can be searched alphabetically or according to their production date. Producers who wish their project to feature on the website are asked to pay fees towards the administration, editing and hosting of the site. All requests from the website are sent directly to the filmmakers.
Recent sales on Scandinavian titles reported by First Hand Films include Burma VJ, sold to Kinosmith Canada (theatrical), ABC Asia-Pacific (TV), Against Gravity Poland (all rights), RAI Italy (TV), Multicanal Spain (TV) and TV Catalunya (TV).
The Finnish documentary All Boys by Markku Heikkinen was sold to Salzgeber Germany (theatrical), Yes Israel (TV), Filmmakers Library USA (Educational) and Multicanal Spain (TV). Both documentaries were supported by Nordisk Film & TV Fond.
For further information see http://www.filmsbazaar.com.