New program section Young Industry: Young filmmakers in leading roles

Why is it important for you to focus on emerging filmmakers at the Zlín Film Festival?

The Zlín Film Festival has long focused on supporting young filmmakers because we see them as the future of not only Czech but also world cinema. We have been helping young people to promote their ideas for a long time, for example through the FILMTALENT ZLÍN Foundation, and we are delighted when we see what students can create. Often we are literally thrilled - it is a strong promise for the future. Let's face it, not many films for children and young people are made in the Czech Republic, and today it turns out that the new generation is not afraid to make films with child actors, to make films for children and to bring original approaches. This is admirable and deserves attention and support.

And this is the reason why the Young Industry programme was created?

That's right. We created Young Film Industry as a special platform for sharing experiences, networking and inspiration. A space where film school students can meet established filmmakers, but also each other.

What can the Young Industry participants expect?

The programme will run almost throughout the entire festival - starting on Thursday 29 May with the Film Board, where we will present various services and initiatives that may be of interest to young filmmakers. For example, ARAS - the association of directors and screenwriters, MIDPOINT Institute, an international educational and networking platform aimed at supporting emerging filmmakers, and Castingofka, which also works with film schools to give aspiring filmmakers access to real casting opportunities while they are still studying, will be presenting their work. On Friday we will have Pitching Day, where students present their projects for which they apply for support from the FILMTALENT ZLÍN Foundation. It is always a very lively and inspiring part of the program.

You also mentioned the participation of film professionals in the programme.

Yes, this is key for us. We want young people to be able to learn from those who, although they are still young, have already had a number of significant successes. For example, the director Daria Kashcheeva, winner of the Student Oscar and many other awards, will be coming. Martin Pavol Repka, a FAMU graduate who won the Discovery of the Year award from Czech film critics, and Tereza Rychnovská from the Czech Film and Television Academy will also attend. We want these people to share their experiences, so we are preparing masterclasses, networking meetings and debates linked to student screenings. The masterclass by Will Becher - director and animator from the famous Aardman studio, which has produced such films as Shaun the Sheep and Wallace and Gromit - will be a huge attraction.

The Young Film Industry also includes the traditional competition of student films Zlín Dog. What is this year's participation?

Hundreds of films from all over the world are entered every year - this year there were around 700. The dramaturgs will select about 50 of the best films - fiction, animation and documentaries. The standard is usually really high and very often the students achieve qualities comparable to the professionals.

What do you think young people should take away from the programme?

We want them to have space - literally and figuratively. To not have to rush anywhere, to be able to focus, discuss, share and network. We believe that a lot of great ideas can come out of such an environment. It is a great inspiration for us too - to see the energy and creativity of new creators.

The full programme of the Young Industry section can be found here.