Festivals are a competitive battlefield. Even outside the official award systems, juries compete with each other for giving the most whacked interview. One team that left all competitors in the shadow. That Golden Slipper goes to Šimon Holý (director, script writer - Czech Republic), Ursula van den Heuvel (festival distributor - the Netherlands) and Martin Kudláč (film journalist - Slovakia), aka the Zlin Dog Jury.

Spiritual values might be their trademark, but no no jury this week was as keen as asking loads of young actors out on a date than the Ecumenical Jury. We’ll have to consider hiring an extra big party room, especially for Gundi Doppelhammer (Culture scientist - Germany), Théo Péporté (Communications & Press - Luxembourg) and Ida Tenglerova (Protestant Minister - Czech Republic).

I am happy about people finding their interviews online, but this time the podcast version could offer you some added value: more stories from Jerzy Moszkowicz (young audience programmer - Poland), a dry approach from Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson (director & producer - Iceland) and fountains of heavenly laughter from Hana Vagnerová (actress - Czech Republic). If her laughing voice sets the standard, then this will be a fun interview!

The ECFA Jury came with a surprising conclusion to their festival work: It’s a family thing! The three of them had to come to Zlin to find out about this family bond. That is why we sit around the table with two sisters and one brother: Samina Gul (doxs! / Oberhausen Short Film Days - Germany), Marion Heimlund (Kristiansand Festival - Norway) and Nils Andersson (Smorgasbord Picture House - Sweden).

Why is it that interviews with animation juries often end up in wildlife discussions? Featuring in this interview are several deep see animals, horses, dinosaurs, “a remarkably high number of birds”, and of course Vassilis Karamitsanis (president of Animasyros festival in Greece), Tomas Danay (animator, programme director for BAB festival in Slovakia) and Alexandra Majova (animator, Czech Republic).

The main jury… they are supposed to be the crown jewels of the festival, the icing on the cake, respectable, indespicable, dignified… Nevertheless, don’t be surprised if you might suddenly find them performing an iconic scene from DIRTY DANCING, or going on a date with a feisty grandma. This is what you need to know about Jitka Schneiderova (actress - Czech Republic), Simon Crowe (sales & distribution – UK) and Katarina Launing (director – Norway / Sweden).

Interviewing the animation jury is usually fun - animators are often a bit weird by nature, and they talk easily about animals and princes and dragons. Arba Hatashi, Corinne Destombes and Filip Posivac are no exception to this rule. But they also come with an interesting plea; an advice for festival organisers around the world.

Katerina Hager and Teresa Lima both look nervous and fancy - on a previous occasion Katerina didn’t expect cameras and spotlights and was therefore slightly embarrassed about her casual looks. Now she wears a beautiful necklace (“bought in Sarajevo”) and a dress… but there’s nowhere a camera to be seen. 

You thought festival juries were like a big mystery; a somewhat cultish bunch of erudite gurus? Or would they be more like simple human beings, doing simple human things? Like running marathons, collecting shoes and living joyless lives? You’ll find it all out through a list of questions we gave to the International Expert Jury in the Junior & Youth Category.