Coordinating studio Smart Casual teams up with partners from Latvia - Mima films, and partners from France - Dolce Vita films on Irma Pužauskait's sophomore film Hold me closer development: HOLD ME CLOSER codev

Programme(s): Creative Europe Programme (CREA)
Topic(s): CREA-MEDIA-2024-CODEV
Type of action: CREA Lump Sum Grants

Project ID: 101185595

Objective:

"Coordinating studio Smart Casual teams up with partners from Latvia - Mima films, and partners from France - Dolce Vita films on Irma Pužauskait's sophomore film ""Hold me closer"" development. Collaboration of two producers from low-capacity Baltic countries with strong player in the industry - France, will be beneficial for the European film market, build networks and also will expand the project's creative potential, strengthen thematic relevance and allow wider distribution reach. ""Hold me closer"" is a female-driven drama that explores taboo topics of intimacy and co-dependency in relationships and at work: the protagonist is an intimacy coordinator on film sets. The behind-the-scenes of intimacy coordination is drawn from on director's real experience as she has a lot of experience in this field. The film has the potential to reach one of the largest international film audiences, intellectual adult women, and have international success, as there are many unique selling points that marketing and distribution strategy is cantered on. The co-development is creatively driven and successful distribution oriented. Partners from Latvia will find the right HOD's for costume, production design and makeup, as well as join the thematic research. Partners from France will join with supporting actors, script editing, composer, and distribution strategy. Aiming for a green production certificate, the co-development plan is built on values of sustainability. The partners have created a well-thought-out strategy to set the co-development processes into a great start. "