Giffoni Cadets & Giffoni Seniors

YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL GIFFONI MACEDONIA

DAYDREAMING 2015

 DAY 1

GIFFONI Cadets & Seniors 7 October, 2015

(click photo to see the photo gallery)

13+ Cadets

The day of the youth from the Cadets Category began at 9.30 a.m. with a screening of the film “The Blue Wave” by Ana Guevara and Leticia Jorge, followed by a discussion filled with many questions. The children who most actively engaged in the discussions were given awards, courtesy of our sponsor Mentos.

THE BLUE WAVE

Turkey, 2013, 97’

Directors: Zeynep Dadak, Merve Kayan

Synopsis:

Deniz and her friends have been apart for the summer and have much to tell each other. The senior boys grew tall, new albums were released, and the natural gas pipeline finally arrived in Balıkesir. Yet, the anxieties of university plans remain. When school resumes, Deniz gets closer with her friend Kaya while also growing interested in Fırat, the school counselor. She wants to prove that what she is feeling is not “the usual.”She desires a life different from her friends and parents. A song no one has heard, a hopeless love, solitude… Ankara instead of Istanbul, social sciences over natural sciences… A different world, but where exactly?

16+ Seniors

The day of the youth from the Seniors Category began at 9.30 a.m. with a screening of the film “Maybe Tomorrow” by Alex K. Lee, followed by a discussion filled with many questions. The children who most actively engaged in the discussions were given awards, courtesy of our sponsor Mentos.

MAYBE TOMORROW

USA, 2013, 89’

Director: Alex K. Lee

Synopsis:

“Maybe Tommorow” (La Vie Nous Appartient) is a psychological drama about two students, Sarah and Philip, who after meeting online develop a tragic plan to end their lives. The two decide to meet in person and hike into the mountains in the heart of Austria where Sarah used to go with her father as a child. On their journey to the top, their newborn friendship may not be enough to avoid taking the last fatal step…

Following the films the Cadets and Seniors attended a Master class titled: Introduction to Professional Filmmaking, led by producer Ognen Antov and director Stojan Vujicic from Dream Factory Production.

Master class : Introduction to professional filmmaking

1+1 =2, or 3, or gray or yellow. Whether 1+1 is 2 or not, or the film follows other rules as well, learn in this Master Class with the Producer Ognen Antov and the Director Stojan Vujicic. Through a practical example and the presentation of the short film “Brother for one day”, learn the basics of the filmmaking from the beginning till the end.

After the master class, the youth took part in the following workshops designed especially for them:

ONE-MINUTE FILMS (open lecture)

The one-minute films are a specific form of the short film. This workshop introduces the participants with the basics of the one-minute format and the possibilities it offers. Getting familiar with several narrative structures that fit nicely in this format, the participants will be directed toward an independent work on their own one-minute films.

SCREENPLA Y (participants – 20 max)

The screenplay workshop reveals the secrets of the basic elements required to build the drama in a single scene. Working in groups, the participants will develop entire scene sets based on partly pre-developed characters, locations or props and their modifications.

HORROR FILM (participants – 15 max)

The adrenalin rush gives pleasure even from the scariest movies. The fascination with the unknown, with what scares us, has always been present in the stories humans have told. On this workshop we will focus on the main elements of the horror stories and the key to a good horror film – the main villain. This workshop in collaboration with the Film Make-up workshop will craft the best ideas for masks and use them to shoot a short film.

DAY 2

GIFFONI Cadets & Seniors 8 October, 2015

(click photo to see the photo gallery)

 

13+ Cadets

The day of the youth from the Cadets Category began at 9.30 a.m. with a screening of the film “Shed No Tears” by Måns Mårlind and Björn Stein, followed by a discussion filled with many questions. The children who most actively engaged in the discussions were given awards, courtesy of our sponsor Mentos.

SHED NO TEARS

Sweden, 2013, 113’

Directors: Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein

Synopsis:

Pål’s biggest dream is to get involved with music. His childhood friends Lena and Johnny knows this, and his grandfather Rolle, although he most of all would see that Pål gained an orderly job. When Eva turns up as a summer night and captures Påls attention, she discovers that she shares his dream. The problem is that the only thing standing between Pål and the dream is his own obsessions that once after another leadshim to derail just when most are at stake.

16+ Seniors

The day of the youth from the Cadets Category began at 9.30 a.m. with a screening of the film “Broken Hills Blues” by Sofia Norlin, followed by a discussion filled with many questions. The children who most actively engaged in the discussions were given awards, courtesy of our sponsor Mentos.

BROKEN HILLS BLUES

Sweden, 2013, 80’

Director: Sofia Norlin

Synopsis:

80 degrees north of the Arctic Circle, a small community built around a mine – a mine that is its throbbing heart and main economic activity, feeding but also gradually destroying the city. Markus, Daniel, Zerin, Helena… A group of 18 years old boys and girls finish their last school term, while the ground literally trembles under their feet, as it always does in the teens, though in this case it means a greater danger. From the winter cold to summer greenery, these young people will fight with themselves and the world around them, in a time of change marking a turning point in their young lives – a time when you are assaulted by questions about what it is like to live, love and dream. In the same time, the city itself is changing and forced to move, as the constant explosions have been mining the ground underneath. A new city is in construction, a new community takes shape, while the old one is falling apart. The changes in the city and in the youngsters’ souls are mirroring each other.

GREEN CARPET

After the film screenings, the Cadets and Seniors got the chance to meet and greet the director Svetozar Ristovski and actor Vlado Jovanovski. Following their discussion the youth continued with their activities, being actively engaged in the creation of cultural products in the following workshops:

GRAPHIC DESIGN (participants – 10 max )

Become familiar with the overall process of creating posters and similar visual materials. The workshop for graphic design gives opportunity for anyone willing to develop his or hers digital design techniques to do so. Through detailed introduction of the software used in this creative industry, the participants will trained to create posters on given subject. Knowledge of digital design or drawing software is welcomed, but not necessary.

PHOTODREAMING (participants – 30 max)

This workshop introduces the participants in the technical and aesthetical elements of photography as art. By establishing the definition of the different terms, the participants will be able to successfully shot their own photographs that will illustrate or give away a feeling of dreaminess.

SPECIAL EFFECTS (participants – 20 max)

The special video effects are everyday sight on our screens. The production of these effects has always been an interesting process which combined knowledge of technology, creativity and a sense for visual esthetics. This workshop will reveal the process of implementation of one of the most used special effects, the chroma key.

FILM CRITICISM (participants – 15 max )

The film art is the most complex art humanity has created so far. It contains elements of all other arts, but it also has something original. The film criticism addresses the aspects that move the story forward and represents important part of the film industry. On this workshop, the participants will gain skills for successful and arguable analyzes of the films they watch.

HORROR FILM (participants – 15 max)

The adrenalin rush gives pleasure even from the scariest movies. The fascination with the unknown, with what scares us, has always been present in the stories humans have told. On this workshop we will focus on the main elements of the horror stories and the key to a good horror film – the main villain. This workshop in collaboration with the Film Make-up workshop will craft the best ideas for masks and use them to shoot a short film.

DAY 3

GIFFONI Cadets & Seniors 9 October, 2015

(click photo to see the photo gallery)

13+ Cadets

The day of the youth from the Cadets Category began at 9.30 a.m. with a screening of the film “The Great Water” by Ivo Trajkov, followed by a discussion filled with many questions. The children who most actively engaged in the discussions were given awards, courtesy of our sponsor Kapri.

THE GREAT WATER

Macedonia, 2004, 93’

Director: Ivo Trajkov

Synopsis:

Based on a children’s book written by Zivko Cingo in the 1970s, the movie is about the difficult transition in Macedonia after World War II. The film begins in the present as old Lem, Macedonian politician who is experiencing a heart attack and while he is being wheeled into a hospital and examined and wired, he has memory flashbacks to his childhood in 1945. He is brought to the ‘orphanage’ where orphans are children of the enemies of the new regime. There he learns how to adjust to the role of obedient brainwashing.

16+ Seniors

The day of the youth from the Seniors Category began at 9.30 a.m. with a screening of the film “Maybe Tomorrow” by Alex K. Lee, followed by a discussion filled with many questions. The children who most actively engaged in the discussions were given awards, courtesy of our sponsor Kapri.

THE GREAT WATER

 Macedonia, 2004, 93’

Director: Ivo Trajkov

Synopsis:

Based on a children’s book written by Zivko Cingo in the 1970s, the movie is about the difficult transition in Macedonia after World War II. The film begins in the present as old Lem, Macedonian politician who is experiencing a heart attack and while he is being wheeled into a hospital and examined and wired, he has memory flashbacks to his childhood in 1945. He is brought to the ‘orphanage’ where orphans are children of the enemies of the new regime. There he learns how to adjust to the role of obedient brainwashing.

Following the films the Cadets and Seniors had a chance to meet and greet actor Toni Mihajlovski on the Green carpet, and in the discussion learn something more about his rich career and experience.

After the Green carpet, the youth took part in the following workshops:

PHOTODREAMING (participants – 30 max)

This workshop introduces the participants in the technical and aesthetical elements of photography as art. By establishing the definition of the different terms, the participants will be able to successfully shot their own photographs that will illustrate or give away a feeling of dreaminess.

SPECIAL EFFECTS (participants – 20 max)

The special video effects are everyday sight on our screens. The production of these effects has always been an interesting process which combined knowledge of technology, creativity and a sense for visual esthetics. This workshop will reveal the process of implementation of one of the most used special effects, the chroma key.

FIlM CRITICISM (participants – 15 max )

The film art is the most complex art humanity has created so far. It contains elements of all other arts, but it also has something original. The film criticism ad- dresses the aspects that move the story forward and represents important part of the film industry. On this workshop, the participants will gain skills for successful and arguable analyzes of the films they watch.

GRAPHIC DESIGN (participants – 10 max )

Become familiar with the overall process of creating posters and similar visual materials. The workshop for graphic design gives opportunity for anyone willing to develop his or hers digital design techniques to do so. Through detailed introduction of the software used in this creative industry, the participants will trained to create posters on given subject. Knowledge of digital design or drawing software is welcomed, but not necessary.

TANGO (participants – 30 max ) The passion of the soul is always visible in the tango. This workshop introduces the participants to the sensual world of this dance. Learn part of the history and practice the basic steps. This workshop will create a dance choreography that will be presented on the closing ceremony at the end of the festival.

DAY 4

GIFFONI Cadets & Seniors 10 October, 2015

(click photo to see the photo gallery)

13+ Cadets

The day of the youth from the Cadets Category began at 9.30 a.m. with a screening of the film “Sanctuary” by Marc Brummund, followed by a discussion filled with many questions. The children who most actively engaged in the discussions were given awards, courtesy of our sponsor Kapri.

SANCTUARY

 Germany, 2015, 104’

Director: Marc Brummund

Synopsis:

May 1968: Rolling Stones, bell-bottoms, mini-skirts, sexual revolution, protests against the Vietnam War… While Germany sets off for a new era of freedom, rebellious fourteen-year-old Wolfgang gets sent to Freistatt, a foster home for difficult children. There he shall be “educated” to become a decent boy. Wolf- gang puts up a determined resistance against the brutal working conditions and the perfidious education methods of the wardens; he doesn’t allow them to get him down. But for how long can he manage to resist the system of violence and oppression without brutalizing himself? A movie based on true stories, about the merciless fight of a boy to save the last bit of humanity and dignity in an oppressive system of society.

 16+ Seniors

The day of the youth from the Seniors Category began at 9.30 a.m. with a screening of the film “Max&Lenny” by Fred Nicolas, followed by a discussion filled with many questions. The children who most actively engaged in the discussions were given awards, courtesy of our sponsor Kapri.

MAX&LENNY

 France, 2014, 86’

Director: Fred Nicolas

Synopsis:

Marseille, a multicultural city. Max is a cheerful teenager who lives ille- gally with her Congolese family. Lenny meets Max while she is rehears- ing her rapping in secret. Rap is the language of her soul, and music will be the bond that unites the two girls. Max and Lenny is the story of a friendship between two girls fighting for survival in a northern area of Marseille.

Following the films the Cadets and Seniors had a chance to meet and greet actress Natasa Petrovik on the Green carpet, and in the discussion learn something more about her career and acting experience.

After the Green carpet, the youth took part in the following workshops:

PHOTODREAMING (participants – 30 max)

This workshop introduces the participants in the technical and aesthetical elements of photography as art. By establishing the definition of the different terms, the participants will be able to successfully shot their own photographs that will illustrate or give away a feeling of dreaminess.

SPECIAL EFFECTS (participants – 20 max)

The special video effects are everyday sight on our screens. The production of these effects has always been an interesting process which combined knowledge of technology, creativity and a sense for visual esthetics. This workshop will reveal the process of implementation of one of the most used special effects, the chroma key.

FIlM CRITICISM (participants – 15 max )

The film art is the most complex art humanity has created so far. It contains elements of all other arts, but it also has something original. The film criticism ad- dresses the aspects that move the story forward and represents important part of the film industry. On this workshop, the participants will gain skills for successful and arguable analyzes of the films they watch.

GRAPHIC DESIGN (participants – 10 max )

Become familiar with the overall process of creating posters and similar visual materials. The workshop for graphic design gives opportunity for anyone willing to develop his or hers digital design techniques to do so. Through detailed introduction of the software used in this creative industry, the participants will trained to create posters on given subject. Knowledge of digital design or drawing software is welcomed, but not necessary.

TANGO (participants – 30 max ) The passion of the soul is always visible in the tango. This workshop introduces the participants to the sensual world of this dance. Learn part of the history and practice the basic steps. This workshop will create a dance choreography that will be presented on the closing ceremony at the end of the festival.

DAY 5

GIFFONI Cadets & Seniors 11 October, 2015

(click photo to see the photo gallery)

13+ Cadets

The day of the youth from the Cadets Category began at 9.30 a.m. with a screening of the film “Graduation” by Tomaš Houšká, followed by a discussion filled with many questions. The children who most actively engaged in the discussions were given awards, courtesy of our sponsor Triglav and Mentos.

THE GRADUATION

Czech Republic, 2013, 87’

Director: Tomaš Houšká

Synopsis: The Graduation is a classic teenage comedy, very playful, sometimes going a bit over the edge. Moments of reality in the film often alternate with dreams and visions. The basic plot is the attempt of a gang of high school seniors to graduate while not working too hard at it, even if they have to resort to a bit of underhanded tactics. The two main protagonists hack into the Ministry’s server, where they look for the answers to the final exam questions in vain, though they get into deep water for it. It almost looks like they will be taken away from the exams by a special police unit because of hacking.

The Cadets also had the opportunity as part of their discussion to welcome as special guests the children actors from the French film “A fond” which is currently being shot in the Republic of Macedonia – Stylane Lecaille (11 years-old) and Joséphine Callies (15 years-old) who managed to translate a part of their acting experience and the filmmaking process to the audience.

16+ Seniors

The day of the youth from the Seniors Category began at 9.30 a.m. with a screening of the film “Sixteen” by Rob Brown, followed by a discussion filled with many questions. The children who most actively engaged in the discussions were given awards, courtesy of our sponsor Triglav and Mentos.

SIXTEEN

USA, 2013, 80’

Director: Rob Brown

Synopsis:

Sixteen is an urban thriller about an African former child soldier called Jumah who was brought to London by Laura, an aid worker who he now lives with. Jumah is about to turn 16 in two days and wants to leave his violent past behind him. Things seem to have taken a turn for the better with Jumah now; he has a sweet but tentative romance blossoming with a girl at school. But then Jumah witnesses a stabbing and the people involved want to make sure that Jumah says nothing to the police about what he saw that night. Pressure mounts as violence forces its way back into Jumahʼs life.

After the brief brake, the Cadets and Seniors had a chance to meet and greet actress Ana Stojanovska on the Green carpet, and in the discussion learn something more about her career and acting experience.

Following the Green carpet thanks to the sponsor Triglav the youth were entertained by a special guest were entertained for a half an hour by a pantomime artist.

During the day, the youth who participated in the workshops: Photo Dreaming, Special Effects, Film Criticism, Graffic Design and Tango began with the final preparations of their products that they created during the past few days, in anticipation of the closing ceremony of the festival.