Griffoni Georgia – Georgian expedition of young Croatian filmmakers
First edition of Griffoni Georgia was held at the Georgian capital, Tbilisi from 16th until 19th of October. Even though it is the first time, Georgian festival is following the tradition of Griffoni brand – one of the largest children and youth film festivals that is taking place in an Italian town with the same name for the past 45 years. Griffoni's specialty is that films are rated by youth and children. Next to Macedonian and Albanian, Georgian Griffoni is the third licensed Griffoni bran din Europe. Each year, over 3500 children from all around the world participates at festivals. Croatian Film Association started collaborating with Griffoni year and a half ago when coordinator of Festival programs participated at the Youth Cinema World Alliance Conference in Albania. Children from Macedonia and Italy were members of youth juries at Youth and Children Film Festivals organized by Croatian Film Association for two years in a row and this was the first such cooperation with Georgia.
Four members of children and youth juries (next to their 500 colleagues from the region) visited Tbilisi. Klara Haček from School of animated film Čakovec participated in the 13+ group; she was awarded at the last year’s Croatia Children’s Film Festival, and in the age group 16+ Croatia was represented by Nika Vahčić and Marko Bičanić from Blank – film incubator from Zagreb, awarded at the recently held Youth Film Festival in Karlovac. Participation at Griffoni was their award for remarkable talent shown in youth and children film creation. Klara, Marko and Nika were some of the most active participants of the jury, following the tradition of the previous Croatian jurors. Their mentor and the jury mentor was Ksenija Sanković from Kinoklub Karlovac, long term associate to Croatian Film Association. Ksenija presented the work of Croatian Film Association in Tbilisi with the emphasis on projects with international and regional potential: both previously mentioned festivals, School of media culture and Video workshop for children and youth in Kraljevica.
Croatian delegation is currently on their way back home and in their last report they said that Georgian magic lasted too short. In any case, newly created friendships and cooperation will continue next year at Children and Youth Film Festivals in Makarska and Karlovac.
20.10.2015.