November 5, 2021

In this episode, I speak with the publicist and one of the founders of NOISE Film PR, Mirjam Wiekenkamp. During our conversation, we get into her publicist origin story, some of the differences between PR firms in the US and Europe, the unique ways a publicist can position documentary films in the European documentary festival landscape, and how publicist and impact producers can often build upon and support one another’s work on behalf of a filmmaker. Mirjam and NOISE Film PR are representing several films at DOKLeipzig and IDFA that are part of the Steps’ Generation Africa program. To celebrate these young filmmakers from the Continent, this week’s song is Kokoroko’s “Abusey Junction.” KOKOROKO (meaning 'be strong' in Urhobo), are a collective of young musicians brought together by a love for Afrobeat led by trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey. They specialize in a soul-shaking, horn fuelled sound with West African roots and inner London hues. “Abusey Junction” is a ballad written by guitarist Oscar Jerome. It was written on the roof of a compound in Gambia where the band spent time last year immersing themselves in the soundscapes of the region.

Credits: Delphine Millet

Photo Description: Mirjam, a white woman with shoulder-length red hair, sits inside in front of a dark background with white marks. Her head is turned slightly to the side and she wears a white buttoned-up top with a collar.

NOISE Film PR Logo

Image Description: “NOISE FILM PR” is written in black letters that are against a white background. The words “NOISE” are bookmarked by three parentheses on each end. “Film PR” is on the beneath that in smaller letters.

About Mirjam

Mirjam Wiekenkamp has been working as a publicist in the film industry since 2008. She is one of the founders of NOISE Film PR and handles campaigns for international releases at festivals such as Berlinale, IDFA, CPH:DOX, Cannes, IFFR, Locarno, Visions du Réel, and Venice.

About NOISE Film PR

Having a publicist is not just something for the big names in Hollywood. As a documentary filmmaker, you can benefit from having one on board to help you position the film the right way and connect it to the right people. Whether your project is soon-to-be-announced, premiering at an international festival, or on the cusp of its international release, we work closely with all involved in order to find an approach that fits; there‘s no copy-and-paste approach, just communication, and imagination. We will help you cut through the noise!

Some of the documentaries NOISE Film PR has recently represented include AS I WANT (Samaher Alqadi, Berlinale Encounters 2021), LANDSCAPES OF RESISTANCE (Marta Popivoda, IFFR Tiger Competition 2021), NOTHING BUT THE SUN (Arami Ullón, opening film IDFA 2020), THE NEW GOSPEL (Milo Rau, Venice 2020), ECSTASY (Moara Passoni, CPH: DOX 2020), AMAZON MIRROR (Fernando Segtowick, Berlinale 2020), THE LETTER (Maia Lekow & Chris King, Kenya’s Oscar submission for 2021), EARTH (Nikolaus Geyrhalter, Berlinale 2019), SHOOTING THE MAFIA (Kim Longinotto, Berlinale 2019) and TALKING ABOUT TREES (Suhaib Gasmelbari, winner Glasshütte Original Documentary Award & Panorama Audience Award Berlinale 2019).