Delegation of Croatian Film Association in Valencia!
MICE by Jordi El Mussol, an international children and youth film festival was held in Valencia from March 27 to 29 for the third time. The festival screens short educational films from around the world with the participation of prestigious international leaders from member universities and organizations. Ruža Krišto and Mario Stanić from the Elementary School Katarina Zrinski Mečenčani, Jure Šebalj from Karlovac Elementary School Grabrik and their leaders Sanja Zanki from the Cinema Club Karlovac and Daniel Pejić from the Studio of Creative Ideas from Gunja stayed in Valencia! There were more reasons for their stay...
A year ago, the Croatian Film Association introduced one praiseworthy novelty in the organization of both Children and Youth Film Festivals: the winners of the festivals go to children and youth film festivals around the world as a reward for the successful work - whether they participate as members of the children and youth jury, or they participate in different workshop programs. So, children and youth from primary schools Rudeš, Marija Jurić Zagorka and Većeslav Holjevac in Zagreb, Photo Video Club Zaprešić from Zaprešić, Blank association from Zagreb, Primary School Strahoninec from Strahoninec, Cinema Club Karlovac, Karlovac and Creative Film Studio Vanima from Varaždin have already stayed at festivals and workshops in the United States, Italy, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. The Croatian Film Association estimated that this kind of an award would be much more valuable and useful than the money award or prizes in the form of technical equipment, which is now much more accessible than usual. Ruža, Mario and Jura's impressions were positive. In fact that they said they would immediately go back to work on new films in order to be able to go to a new festival.
Children are always accompanied by two responsible people in the festivals (the so-called chaperons or mentors). In such situations Croatian Film Association suggests mentors from different organizations, so that they can have the opportunity to see and compare children's film production from the rest of Europe. It is their ideal opportunity for communication and exchange of experience, as well as creating new partnerships with colleagues, media educators from other European countries. Also, international film festivals like this one in Valencia are ideal places for presentation of the festivals organized by the Association: Youth Film Festival and Four River Film Festival, which have already been recognized on the international film scene and Croatian Children's Film Festival - national festival which last year began to open in the international context. Connecting with festivals / workshops across Europe which are focused on the same / similar target group certainly helps in building the international image. Long-term partners of for instance FRFF today are as many as 17 film festivals which have youth films in the framework of its programs. Sanja and Daniel made new contacts and announced new collaborations. What is the next destination? You'll find out soon.
01.04.2015.