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Mendi Pro is an initiative of the BBK Mendi Film Bilbao-Bizkaia International Film Festival and was created with the aim of:

- To meet and share the experience of established and multi-award-winning international filmmakers.

- Share financing, production, co-production and sales strategies both internationally and nationally for documentary films.

- To present useful and direct information on the financing channels and tax incentives existing in the territory of Bizkaia for documentary films.

- Create a community that fosters contacts, relationships and synergies between the creators and producers who attend the conference.

PROGRAMME

9:00 – 11:00

INTRODUCTION OF THE Ist MENDI PRO

Jabier Baraiazarra, director of Mendi Film and Itziar García Zubiri, creative producer and head of mentoring at the Mendi Film Bizkaia Ternua Grant will welcome the speakers and participants.

ELIZA KUBARSKA. Polonia

A passionate climber, traveller and explorer, the films she creates from her adventures always have the characteristic of going beyond the facts to investigate the deepest folds of the human soul. Because of this special sensitivity, all her works have won numerous awards.

Grand Prize International Alliance for Mountain Film 2023

Special Mention of the Jury at the canadian festival Hot Docs for “Walking Under Water”

DANI SALAS. España

Since the beginnings in TVE's "Al filo de lo imposible" as a mountaineering technician, he has been dedicated to the audiovisual world for more than 25 years (mainly photography, production and direction). This versatility has led him to participate in numerous expeditions and to carry out documentary works of great sporting and cinematographic value. His career as a filmmaker has been widely recognized by the audiovisual sector (National Geographic, Discovery Channel or AXN among others). It is worth mentioning the series "Rescate" for RTVE's La2, in which he is currently immersed in the direction of its third season. Also worth mentioning are "Colgados" for MEGA, the project "El Reto de Carlos Soria" for BBVA, or the documentary film "Jugando a Escalar". Today Dani will present the series "C.A.E.M" produced by Dokumalia with the collaboration of Unicorn Content and Mediterráneo from Mediaset España, for Amazon Exclusive.

HEATHER MOSHER. Canadá

“Breaking into the industry”

Adventure documentary filmmaker based in Squamish, British Columbia. His work combines adventure and outdoor stories with broader social and environmental themes. As a producer, director, editor, and cinematographer, Heather weaves together stories of real people, places, and events with a compelling and truthful storytelling style. As a climber, mountain athlete and guide for the Mountain Guides Association of Canada, she has the skills necessary to access and move through extreme terrain. With a background in science and a graduate degree in teaching, Heather aims to create documentary films that connect people and bring about positive change in the world.

11:00 – 11:30 COFFEE BREAK

11:30 – 13:00

PRESENTATION OF THE BEKA MENDI FILM BIZKAIA TERNUA 2025 GRANT

10.000 euros

Mentoring by Itziar García Zubiri

International promotion at the IAMF circuit

PREMIERE OF THE DOCUMENTAL OINEZ, (18')
- Winner of the grant Beka Mendi Film Bizkaia Ternua 2023
Director: Leire Egaña

BEGOÑA DE IBARRA ZUAZO
- Director General of Culture of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia.
Subsidies from the Provincial Council of Bizkaia for the production of audiovisual projects and provincial subsidies for the development and dissemination of short and feature films programmed at international festivals, and films programmed in cinemas in the Basque Country.

- PRESENTATION OF TAX INCENTIVES FOR CINEMA AND THE PERFORMING ARTS BY OFFICIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF BIZKAIA
- Tax credit up to 70%
- or 60% if expenses in Bizkaia >50%
- or 50% if expenses in Bizkaia account for between 35-50% of the total
- or 40% if expenses in Bizkaia are between 20-30%
- +10% for audiovisual works shot entirely in Basque