Among a multitude of ambitious applications, Wallimage’s decentralized co-production council had the difficult task of deciding which projects to support, as the investments requested from the fund exceeded 2.5 million euros. Meeting on February 19, the board selected seven projects (less than 50% of the applications submitted), allocating 1,226,000 euros to support the Walloon economy. These projects are real engines of growth, with spin-offs estimated at over 8 million euros, representing a reinvestment ratio of 658%.
“Les Mains invisibles” will be the first series from the new fund for RTL. This gripping political thriller plunges us into the power struggles that are tearing apart a Walloon independence party after the death of its leader. Directed by Waterloot’s Michaël Dupret and produced by Sequel Prod, with a cast including Philippe Résimont, Babétida Sadjo and Maria Del Rio, the series promises to captivate viewers. The project will mobilize a large number of Walloon companies, particularly for the technical aspects: 33 technicians on set, including 15 shift supervisors, catering, image lab, sound post-production and equipment rental. These are significant expenses for a project shot almost entirely in the Liège region.
On the big screen, Belgian genre cinema takes center stage with“Culte“, written and directed by Thomas Ancora and produced by Les Gens. A group of students, haunted by a dark secret, find themselves hunted by a mysterious killer. After “Meurtres au crayon” (1982) and “Welp” (2014), “Culte” aims to perpetuate the Belgian slasher. With the participation of cinematographer Manu Dacosse, master of light and atmosphere, and a cast including Victor Meutelet, Mentissa and Thomas Ancora himself, the film promises to be both eerie and aesthetically polished. Most of the filming will take place at the Château de Leignon, involving 33 technicians, and Bardaf will be responsible for sound effects, sound editing and mixing. Special effects (VFX) and equipment rental from Eye-Lite round out the involvement of Walloon companies.
Spain is also invited to this session with“Upiro“, a horror film directed by Óscar Martín and produced by Okayss, a young production company from Liège, which is submitting its first application here after taking over and taking the Megalomaniac project international with the success we all know. “Upiro” will offer Walloon actress Pauline Brisy the lead role in what promises to be an intense cinematic experience alongside Ramina Paiman and Angela Molina. Regional participation is focused on the soundtrack, sound post-production (GLD, Mute&solo), image post-production and special effects (Benuts), involving a total of 23 technicians.
Change of register with“Justin le Juste“, a comedy directed by Eric Barbier and produced by Scope Pictures. Boasting an attractive cast (Alban Ivanov, Alexandra Lamy, Stéphane De Groodt), this sometimes dramatic and gritty comedy takes us to the trenches of the First World War, alongside a naive peasant forcibly enlisted in the French army. Laughter and emotion guaranteed! In addition to the 51 technicians mobilized for the shoot in Wallonia, the project will call on UFX Wallonie for special effects, TSF for equipment rental, and Walloon companies for music mixing, mastering, audiodescription and subtitling.
Animation is not to be outdone, with three very different projects selected.
“Schalotte Oignon“, a 3D animated series, takes us into the zany investigations of a trio of atypical detectives: an onion, a banana and a strawberry. Produced by 20 Pictures to Midnight, this offbeat vegan detective comedy promises to delight the little ones, and will be made at the producer’s studio, which opens in Mons on March 1. The series will employ 20 full-time equivalents over 2 years, creating 8 new permanent jobs. Excellent news for the Walloon economy.
“L’académie des Monarques” takes us into the fascinating world of butterflies. Produced by Agent Double, this 2D/3D animated series, directed by Quebec’s Sophie Roy, follows the adventures of four young monarchs charged with teaching new generations about the great annual migration. A journey of initiation full of poetry and surprises. The project will be produced in collaboration with the Waooh! studio for 2D/3D design (17 full-time equivalents over one year) and Genval les dames for post-production.
Finally,“Ploé 2“, a sequel to the Icelandic film “Ploé’s Flight” released in Europe in 2018, plunges us into a fairytale world where the main protagonists must confront the Snow Queen to save spring. Produced by Vivi Film and directed by Gunnar Karlsson and Freek Quarters, this adventure will be partly realized by Dreamwall, which will be in charge of modeling, texturing, rigging (characters, sets, props) and animation supervision for 16 full-time equivalents over one year, while dubbing will be entrusted to Sonhouse in Seneffe. This cross-regional collaboration, based in Hainaut on the Walloon side, is sure to be of interest.
For the future, we encourage you to take note of two dates: on March 12, as part of the Mons Festival, Wallimage will reveal its 2024 results, and on Thursday March 20, producers will be able to submit their entries for the next session. Note that this session is likely to be highly competitive once again, given the excellent projects that will inevitably be represented. In addition to the exciting projects that the various producers have already told us about…