Kathi supports filmmakers and producers in presenting their projects live on a stage, online in a video pitch setting or in written form in a pitch deck. She works both in groups as well as in individual consultations. By asking the right questions and really listening she helps in figuring out what the essence of this particular project is and what could attract potential partners and increase international market attention. In addition to that, she shows real skill in providing a warm, fun, generous, open, sharing and caring atmosphere for individuals to bond and become part of a group.
© Peter Himsel
Kathi is also used to presenting the results of the individual sessions as a moderator on stage or online in a public pitch presentation. So far she has offered pitching training and moderated events and round table sessions for a.o. Berlinale Talents’ Talent Project Market, EFP European Film Promotion – Producers on the Move, DFFB German Film and TV Academy Berlin, Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School, Atelier Ludwigsburg, Producers Network Cannes, Some Fine Day Pix, Seen Studio Egypt, Finas Malaysia, Talents Tokyo.
© Sabine Rolinski
Some people call it work. Kathi considers it a huge privilege to have imaginative creatives share their stories and projects with her. She is still amazed that one can actually make a living out of reading stories and watching films – two of her favourite pastimes. She simply loves discovering new ideas and voices and helping filmmakers a little step further in making their visions and dreams become a reality.
Biography
Dr. Katharina Bildhauer studied German and English Literature and Psychology at the University of Cologne, Germany, as well as European Film and Cultural Studies at the University College London, UK.
During her studies, she worked in casting, as production assistant, 1st AD and script/continuity for several film and TV productions in Germany and the UK.
For several years, she taught script analysis at various German universities. Her PhD thesis on unconventional screenplays was published in 2007 under the title „Drehbuch reloaded. Erzählen im Kino des 21. Jahrhunderts“ (German only). https://www.halem-verlag.de/drehbuch-reloaded/
The biggest amount of time Kathi works for the Berlin International Film Festival where she has been active in various positions since 2003. She is a founding member of the Berlinale Co-Production Market, the festival’s project market and networking platform for producers and financiers active in international co-productions. Kathi manages the Talent Project Market, a joint initiative with Berlinale Talents, where 10 up-and-coming producers from all over the world are mentored and meet with potential partners for their upcoming projects.
In previous years, she coordinated the Berlinale Residency, an artist-in-residence programme for filmmakers and producers, and worked for the World Cinema Fund, the Berlinale’s fund for fostering cultural diversity and supporting projects in regions with a weak film infrastructure. Reading submissions and selecting projects is a big part of her job and one of the most rewarding.
Kathi considers herself really lucky to work in these positions and to be able to meet fascinating people from all over the world. Despite her best efforts though in learning French, Dutch and Spanish she really only speaks and reads German and English.
She holds pitching trainings, presentations and moderations in both English and German at various events, festivals, film schools, programmes and initiatives both online and in person.
Kathi is a member of the European Film Academy.
© Ali Ghandtschi