With roughly half of the films premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival tracing back to Europe (either as co-productions or stand-alones from their country of origin), Europe certainly has a strong presence here. This has been enhanced by the inauguration of the Producers Lab Toronto, a new initiative by European Film Promotion (www.efp-online.com), the pan-European promotion agency and the Ontario Media Development Corporation (www.omdc.on.ca), with support from Media International and Telefilm Canada.

A mix of 24 producers from Canada and Europe are meeting in a series of networking sessions, to generate interest and co-financing in each other's projects. This follows trends started in Berlin, Rotterdam and other fests to become a nurturing environment for new projects that may, very likely, be showcased here next year.

European producers participating in the forum include: Ivan Angelusz (Hungary), Silje Hopland Eik (Norway), Matti Halonen (Finland) Janine Jackowski (Germany), Andrzej Jakimowski (Poland), Akica Juric Tilic (Croatia), Monika Kristl (Czech Republic), Bernard Michaus (Luxembourg), Martina Niland (Ireland), Luis Angel Ramirez (Spain), Marc-Antoine Robert (France) and Reinier Selen (The Netherlands).

Their Canadian counterparts include Paul Barkin (Alcina Pictures), Andrew Boutilier (Submission Films), Robert Budreau (Lumanity Productions), Damon D'Oliveira (Conquering Lion Pictures), Trish Dolman (Screen Siren Pictures), Liz Jarvis (Buffalo Gal Pictures), Jennifer Jonas (New Real Films), Jennifer Kawaja (Sienna Films), Corey Marr (Corey Marr Productions), Brandi-Ann Millbradt (Philms Pictures), Martin Paul-Hus (Amerique Film) and Paul Scherzer (Six Island Productions).

For more information on the participants and the projects they are developing, visit: www.efp-online.com

Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor