13th International Film Festival Kino Otok – Isola Cinema / PRO Otok presents: FOCUS on 13 emerging directors of photography and production designers from the region

13th International Film Festival Kino Otok – Isola Cinema / PRO Otok presents: FOCUS on 13 emerging directors of photography and production designers from the region

The 13th edition of International Film Festival Kino Otok – Isola Cinema is ready to welcome thirteen emerging filmmakers from Italy, Croatia and Slovenia, who have been selected at the public call for new international training and networking programme FOCUS. As part of the PRO Otok scheme, it will take place in Izola, Slovenia, from 2nd of June until 4th of June 2017. FOCUS is intended for broad professional audience; therefore part of the programme activities will be open for PRO pass holders and all interested individuals, including masterclasses by world renowned masters Christian Berger (Austria) and Ludovica Ferrario (Italy).

The FOCUS public call has been open from 3rd of April until 1st of May, and had attracted 39 film talents on the fields of film photography and production design from the region. 13 candidates have been selected by the committee to participate in the three-day training and networking event that will take place in Izola for the first time in Kino Otok’s history.

SELECTED PARTICIPANTS

Three cinematographers and one production designer from Italy include: Alberto Fasulo (1976), Claudio Cescutti (1976), Debora Vrizzi (1975) and Paola Uxa (1985).

Two cinematographers, one production designer and one tandem of production designers from Croatia include: Mario Topić (1983), Tomislav Sutlar (1991), Marijana Gradečak (1982), and tandem Hana Grebenar (1987) and Iva Maria Jurić (1986).

Two cinematographers and two production designers from Slovenia include: Boj Nuvak (1985), Fabris Šulin (1992), Eva Ferlan (1985) and Iris Čeh (1994).

Below please find a short presentation of the selected participants.

Members of the selection committee were:  Varja Močnik, Kino Otok head film programmer; Jure Černec and Simon Tanšek, representatives of Slovene Association of Cinematographers; Neža Zinajić, Andrej Stražišar, Marko Japelj and Alenka Nathigal, representatives of Association of Slovenian Film Production Designers, Costume Designers and Make up Designers.

FOCUS FOR ALL INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS

Part of FOCUS program that will take place in Izola from Friday, 2nd of June, until Sunday, 4th of June, will be open for PRO Passholders and interested individuals:

  • 3. 6., 9.00 Masterclass Christian Berger: So Many Tools – Nothing But Tools

As a cinematographer, Christian Berger has worked with major directors such as Terrence Malick, János Szász and Angelina Jolie. For his work in The White Ribbon, the longstanding collaborator of Michael Haneke and inventor of the Cine Reflect Lighting System (CRLS) was nominated for Academy Award for Best Cinematography. His latest project with Haneke, Happy End, premiered at this year’s Cannes festival. In his masterclass, he will speak out against technical dictate and explain his new thinking about light.

For FOCUS participants and PRO Pass holders.

  • 3. 6., 14.00 Panel: Creative Coproduction – It Is Not All About Money!

Panellists will debate about collaborations of creative individuals in international co-productions, and about positioning yourself in an international market as an emerging cinematographer or production designer. Moderated by Alessandro Gropplero (FVG Audiovisual Fund, Italy). Panellists: Christian Berger (cinematographer, Austria), Ludovica Ferrario (production designer, Italy), Ankica Jurić Tilić (producer, Croatia), Sonja Prosenc (director, Slovenia), Dušan Milavec (production designer, Slovenia).

The event is open for all interested individuals.

  • 3. 6., 16.00 Showcase: 13 Emerging Filmmakers

13 emerging cinematographers and production designers from Croatia, Italy and Slovenia, will present their vision and work approach to directors, producers and public.

The event is open for all interested individuals.

  • 3. 6., 19.00 Evening ties: Networking Dinner for Film Professionals

Hosted by Creative Europe Desks – MEDIA offices from Slovenia, Croatia and Italy (Torino).

For FOCUS participants, PRO Pass holders and invitations.

  • 4. 6., 10.00 Masterclass Ludovica Ferrario: From the Script to the Set – Make it Real

In the recent years, Ludovica Ferrario has worked closely with Academy Award winner Paolo Sorrentino, first as art director in The Great Beauty, then as production designer in Youth, which brought her several award nominations. Currently she is working with Sorrentino on Season 2 of The Young Pope, an HBO series starring Jude Law. Other directors she has worked with include Wim Wenders and Abbas Kiarostami. Her masterclass will focus on achieving the impression of reality by means of production design.

For FOCUS participants and PRO Pass holders.

PRO Pass can be purchased only at the main Festival Box Office at Izola Tourist Information Centre (TIC Izola, Ljubljanska ulica 17) from 31 May 2017 only after it has been approved by the festival PRO staff. We ask potential buyers of PRO Pass to send an application form to pro@isolacinema.org. The price is 28€ (-20% for students, members of Association of Slovenian Film Production Designers, Costume Designers and Make up Designers,  members of Association of Slovenian Cinematographers and members of Slovenian Art Cinema Association).

FOCUS is an original programme of Otok Institute, organized during International Film Festival Kino Otok – Isola Cinema, and the first of its kind in the region, organized in collaboration/support of Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC), FVG Audiovisual Fund (Italy), Institute Motovila/Creative Europe Desk Slovenia, Creative Europe Desk Italy –  Torino, Creative Europe Desk Croatia, Slovene Association of Cinematographers and Association of Slovenian Film Production Designers, Costume Designers and Make up Designers.

 SHORT PRESENTATION OF SELECTED FOCUS PARTICIPANTS

Three cinematographers and one production designer from Italy:

Alberto Fasulo (1976) – author of an awarded feature film Tir (2013) is at the same time his own cinematographer who is attending FOCUS with his new project in development in search of new production team members.

Claudio Cescutti (1976) – cinematographer on smaller and mid-range documentary, video and other projects with a desire to continue on big projects and a conviction that the photography should be in the service of the story.

Debora Vrizzi (1975) – cinematographer who in the past years already attended workshops such as Berlinale Talents and who enjoys researching fiction, documentary and art video.

Paola Uxa (1985) – MA in stage, TV and film design with experiences in these areas and more understands film as a symbiosis between all the arts necessary for its fulfilment.

Two cinematographers, one production designer and one tandem of production designers from Croatia:

Mario Topić (1983) – cinematographer with numerous and diverse projects, as well as an awarded photographer, who aims to continue work in an international field.

Tomislav Sutlar (1991) – cinematographer with rich filmography of short films and team work experiences in regional co-productions.

Marijana Gradečak (1982) – as a  production designer, after cooperating on an awarded short film, she just recently finishedher first feature film in Latvia.

Hana Grebenar  (1987) and Iva Maria Jurić (1986) – a tandem of production designers jointly cooperated on four short films, on the last two projects they were also involved as costume designers.

Two cinematograhers and two production designers from Slovenia:

Boj Nuvak (1985) – cinematographer on more than ten short films, including those shot on 16 mm film tape, with several degrees in different fields and great motivation to continue gaining knowledge.

Fabris Šulin (1992) – versatile filmmaker who understands each project as an opportunity for different and fresh creative techniques and approaches.

Eva Ferlan (1985) – production designer on diverse creative fields, from features, theatre productions and TV series, who believes the sets help to improve the characteristics of people who inhibit them.

Iris Čeh (1994) – production designer who in film projects often partakes the role of a costume designer and many others, has also already collaborated on a series and music videos.