[translation from press release in Croatian:]
For the first time, the Zagreb Film Festival has launched a competition, sponsored by DigitelKomunikacije/ {sf}) to support young talented producers exploring new ways of making films and telling stories in the new digital world.There was a call for young creative filmmakers to enter projects for a new media/cross platform competition, including an idea marathon. Four were then shortlisted from the entries, to participate in a development workshop hosted by media experts( from England, Frank Boyd, Denmark, Asta Wellejus and the Netherlands/Canada, Wendy Bernfeld) at the Zagreb Film Festival, on the 18-19th october.
The projects covered a wide range of subjects, potential audiences, business models and platforms, ranging from an animated TV series for children, to a web soap for young people, to a portmanteau (compilation) film put together by young producers in six different cities.
Continue reading for the projects and the winner...
The Projects:
Dreamcatcher (Barbara Jukopila, Aldo Tardozzi)
Omnibus (Ivan Kelava)
Supermarket Cashier's Secret Diary ( Irena Krcelic, Miroslav Wranka, Dragica Posavec)
Boz
After an intensive two day workshop and final pitching session, the jury´s only regret is that there is just one prize. Many of the projects have great potential for subsequent development, and the sponsor would like to do more to support them than is possible with today`s cash prize of €1,500. Thus additional good news, in recognition of the worth of many of the projects, they will be inviting the participants to an extended pitching session with other possible investors. The support doesn't end here!
Now to the winning project..
The prize is given to a project, that the judges believe can help take Croatian film into the new digital world, and with a potential to cross over into the wider international market .
This project explores the potential of telling stories in new ways , on new platforms, and to new audiences, audiences that are difficult to get into the cinemas or in front of conventional tv programming or screens.The project has a strategy for distribution and finance, new to croatia, but which has been already succesful for other similar new media projects in other parts of the world.The project also has the potential to secure support from brands or sponsors ,yet without actually trying to sell consumer goods to the audience, it by its theme and nature is actually helping young people, to prevent them getting into further debt. With humor and warmth, the project gives young people an interactive experience on several platforms, and with the potential for positive social benefits for the whole society.
The winning project is: Supermarket Cashier's Secret Diary by Irena Krcelic (writer), Miroslav Wranka (producer) and Dragica Posavec (cinematographer).