Focus on Croatia as MEDIA Sub-programme celebrates 25th anniversary
From August 8th to 14th, Croatian the audiovisual sector projects were highlighted as MEDIA Sub-programme celebrates 25th anniversary. Each day individual stories were published about good practice in Croatia in order to familiarize other members of the MEDIA Sub-programme with the Croatian film industry.
In 2015, Croatian users secured a total of 797,430 EUR. It is the largest and record amount of funds Croatian users have been granted since Croatia joined the MEDIA Sub-programme in 2008. In the first half of 2016, in the categories of single project development, festivals and selective distribution, Croatian users have secured a total of 115,600 EUR!
Croatian success stories highlighted in the 25th MEDIA Sub-programme celebration include:
Since the recent introduction of a 20% rebate of investment subsidies programme, Croatia has become one of the most attractive European destinations for shooting films. Of special note are HBO’s TV series Game of Thrones (Seasons Two, Three, Four and Five) as well as Star Wars (Episode Eight).
Children and Education
School in the Cinema – organized by Art-Kino Croatia in Rijeka
School in the Cinema is an educational program which engages approximately 7000 primary school students, carried out in accordance with the existing primary school media culture plan and programme, and is comprised of organized screenings (80 per year) and introductory lectures on individual elements of film language.
Seventh Continent – organized by the Children Meet Art Association
Seventh Continent is a film and media literacy programme which tries to find means of encouraging children’s’ awareness and appreciation of art and explain how films can help in its understanding and acceptance as essential parts of life. Today, the programme includes more than 50 000 children in Zagreb and other parts of Croatia and has become one of the most important Croatian initiatives on the theme of film and media literacy.
Hot Summer Stories
Cinema Mediterranean is a project focused on revitalizing Dalmatian cinemas, whose aim is to re-open theatres and bring film programmes to smaller regions across Dalmatia where cinemas have been out of function for a long time. The project is currently being implemented in 26 cities and offers insights into European and global cinematography.
In honor of the third anniversary of Croatia’s membership in the European Union, Culture Club and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, with support from the Croatian Audiovisual Centre and the City of Zagreb, have organized the European Film Review, which was held from July 11th to 17th in Summer Cinema Tuškanac.
Cinemas & Festivals
Croatian Independent Cinemas Network
The Croatian Independent Cinemas Network was founded on November 7th, 2014, by 27 cinema-operators in 24 cities in order to strengthen the position of independent cinemas within the film industry and encourage and develop film culture in all forms across Croatia. Currently the network include 34 members, 46 cinemas in 36 cities and islands.
Zagreb Film Festival – workshop – My First Screenplay
For a familiar individual film festival concept, besides a quality and innovative programme, film education is extremely important. The Zagreb Film Festival, co-financed from its inception by the MEDIA Sub-programme, has always placed importance on the public and the need for additional educational activities. The My First Screenplay workshop gathers six new participants who, under the care of expert mentors (so-called script doctors) develop their feature film screenplay projects.
MEDIA Sub-programme – Croatian Success Stories
Striguni is a feature genre film directed by Aldo Tardozzi. It is the first Croatian film co-financed by the MEDIA Sub-programme and introduced at the Frontières International Co-Production Market held from July 21st to 24th during the Fantasia Film Festival in Montréal, Canada.
The High Sun spans three different decades and is set in two neighboring villages burdened by historical heritage, following three stories of forbidden love. The film stars Tihana Lazović and Goran Marković. It is the first Croatian film co-financed by the MEDIA Sub-programme which, since Croatia’s independence, became a part of the official selection of an international competition programme, the 68th Cannes Film Festival, and won the Un Certain Regard jury prize. Tihana Lazović, thanks mostly to her work in this film, was one of this year’s ten participants in the European Shooting Stars program, promoting young European talent. The High Sun (2015) is 123 minutes in length and is directed by Dalibor Matanić and produced by Kinorama.
ZagrebDox Pro is a development programme geared toward documentary film authors and producers and is held during the ZagrebDox International Documentary Film Festival. It is the only Croatian development programme co-financed by the MEDIA Sub-programme. Other supporters of ZagrebDox Pro include the City of Zagreb Office for Education, Culture and Sport and the Croatian Audiovisual Centre.
Gaming
Reboot InfoGamer – November 8th-13th, 2016
Continuously growing into one of the most significant gaming markets in Europe, the fifth edition of this six-day event will be held at its biggest venue yet, the Zagreb Fair. Focus will be placed on introducing the newest videogames, indie games creators, publishers, analogue games, VR and gaming hardware, etc.
CGDA ‒ Croatian Game Developers Association
The Association was founded based on similar global organizations, especially in the region, who have emerged as support for Eastern European progressive videogame development which include Croatian creators. There are currently approximately 20 videogame developer companies in Croatia. With an unusually large number of innovative and quality creators, the Associations’ aim is to enable continuous growth and the development of good working conditions and a climate attractive to potential investors.