Pop Up Film Residency had the pleasure of participating in the latest edition of When East Meets West (WEMW) in Trieste, where we hosted a panel discussion about our unique residency program. The conversation featured Matthieu Darras (CEO & Founder of Pop Up Film Residency), Antonia Girardi (Programming Manager), Ada Solomon (producer and host of the residency in Bucharest), Anna Ciennik (script editor, consultant, and mentor), and Leila Basma (filmmaker and Pop Up alumna 2024).
This gathering was also a special moment for us, as we celebrated a major milestone: 100 residencies completed within the Pop Up Film Residency framework. Marking this achievement in the vibrant setting of WEMW felt like the perfect way to reflect on our journey and look ahead to the exciting projects to come.
Additionally, we were thrilled to present the Pop Up Film Residency Award as part of the WEMW Co-Production Forum. This year’s prize was awarded to Gregor Božič, director of Tales of Fruits and Monsters (Nosorogi, Slovenia – Bocalupo Films, France), a beautifully crafted project that we look forward to seeing evolve. Gregor and Marina Gumzi, producer and co-writer of the project, will benefit from a 3-week residency in Vilnius, Lithuania, where they will be hosted by producer Marija Razgute.
As always, WEMW provided an invaluable space for meaningful exchanges, new collaborations, and the celebration of independent cinema. We look forward to returning next year!