Over 2,000 young filmmakers from 70 countries have applied to take part in the Berlin International Film Festival's first Berlinale Talent Campus which will be held from February 10-14.

The Talent Campus, which is being organised by Master School Drehbuch Berlin in co-operation with Filmboard Berlin-Brandenburg, the UK's Film Council and the event's venue House of World Cultures, will host up to 500 creative newcomers in the areas of directing, screenwriting, production, camera and acting to participate in workshops, case studies, lectures and screenings with seasoned professionals.

Festival director Dieter Kosslick stressed, however, that this new initiative has "in no way been created at the expense of the current Berlinale. Our Campus sponsors are explicitly interested only in this forum for up-and-coming talent." He added that "despite the current state of the economy, we were able to find financing for the campus in just 6 months. We were then able to secure a financing plan with assistance from MEDIA Promotion, the German Federal Film Board, the Federal Foreign Office, Planet TV, and various embassies in Berlin."

Successful applicants will be notified by email by December 27 and have until January 6 to confirm their acceptance by fax.

The event's organisers admitted on their website that "a major issue" for many applicants was the question about the amount of the "share" of travel costs to be assumed by Talent Campus. In reply, the organisers explained that "details of reimbursements can only be negotiated once your participation has been cleared."