12 titles by first or second-time feature film directors compete for the Transilvania Trophy at the 20th edition of the Transilvania International Film Festival (July 23-August 1, Cluj-Napoca, Romania). All 12 entries are Romanian premieres; 9 of them are feature film debuts for directors who are just starting or directed documentaries or series before this.

Three filmmakers from the Baltic region complete three week script
development residency

The third edition of the Baltic Shorts Residency,  an intensive workshop lasting three weeks held in the small Lithuanian town of Kintai, has concluded for 2021.  Between 1st and 20th June 2021, three selected filmmakers from the Baltics undertook an intense writing process whilst receiving professional consultation with a view to producing a fully finished script of their short film.

The participants were Lithuanian film director Akvilė Gelažiūtė with the project 2.2 Atmospheres or Medium Pressure, Estonian director and scriptwriter Juri Krutii with Side Hesitation and Latvian filmmaker Žanete Skarule with the project Big Loop – Small Loop. 

On 19 July, Kids Kino Industry invites industry professionals to join the conversation with the creators of “Journey to Yourland”. The release of the film is planned for 2022. The webinar will shed the light on the most important aspects regarding the production process and 360° approach which creators follow to reach the wider audience. 

KKI Talks in July: SMART ANIMATION & 360° CLEVER WORLDBUILDING
– a preview of “Journey to Yourland”
19 July, 3:00 - 4:00 PM CEST, online (ZOOM)

Arthouse cinema is more important today than ever before!

The International Confederation of Arthouse Cinemas, the CICAE had its new board elected during the annual general assembly on June 23, shifting towards a younger, increasingly international and more gender balanced representation of its members.

Christian Bräuer re-elected as President, new Board of Directors

Christian Bräuer, managing director of the Berlin Yorck Kinogruppe and chairman of the German Arthouse Association, was re-elected as president.

“Never has cinema been so challenged as it is now in the wake of the pandemic-related closures. At the same time, however, it is also true in view of the monopolisation of market power and the rapid development of business models in the media sector: Community-based mission-driven Arthouse cinema is more important today than ever before," says Christian Bräuer. "It is just as much about defending the diversity of films as it is about satisfying people's need for public storytelling, also in terms of social self-assurance and negotiating conflicts."

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has revealed selection of three key sections of its 55th edition – Crystal Globe Competition, East of the West Competition and Special Screenings – which include 15 Czech films and minority co-productions. Films by Olmo Omerzu, Václav Kadrnka, Erika Hníková and Miro Remo will celebrate world premiere in the main competition.

Read more about Czech films selected for competition sections HERE.

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15 consecutive years “Festival of tolerance” from Zagreb, Croatia founded by Branko Lustig, a two time Oscar winner and survivor of Holocaust, is keeping the memory of Holocaust and teaching empathy through films, discussions and art

The popularno Festival of Tolerance will take place this summer from 1 to 10 July at Zagreb's Bundek lake. Visitors can expect successful and intriguing films, interesting and provocative exhibitions that encourage contemplation, and socially important lectures and educational programmes. Attractive gigs under the open sky of Zagreb will wrap up the Festival’s programme.