International Youth Film Campus
Kinoatelje and the Silvan Furlan Foundation, with the support of the Municipality of Nova Gorica, will organize the International Youth Film Campus for the twelfth consecutive year.
In its early years, this week-long film gathering with young participants took place in Goriška Brda, specifically in Plešivo. In 2015, the project found its home in the border town of Nova Gorica, in the heart of an urban environment that also inspires and challenges participants in crafting short film stories while fostering camaraderie and building new friendships. Silvan Furlan and Darko Bratina were well aware of the importance of passing on the love of film and filmmaking to younger generations. Over the years, Kinoatelje and the Silvan Furlan Foundation have built a strong partnership that connects and expands the cross-border region. The film campus aims to promote film culture among young people through the experience of filmmaking, encouraging their creativity and critical thinking in an innovative learning environment. Participants are divided into smaller groups where they develop their ideas for a film, assign roles (scriptwriting, directing, acting, filming, editing, etc.), and, under the professional guidance of mentors, create short films.
This year, the young filmmakers drew inspiration from the theme "Borderless," guiding them through stories, history, and bursts of creativity rooted in our shared cross-border space. The films will premiere on August 9 at the Nova Gorica Student Dormitory.
No prior knowledge or experience in filmmaking is required to participate in the campus—just a clear expression of interest through a brief introduction. Due to high demand, please include a short motivation letter with your application (why do you truly want this experience?) and outline an idea or concept for a film story in a few sentences (this can be a simple idea or a more detailed narrative). Let the architecture of Nova Gorica serve as inspiration—a backdrop or even a key element of your film.
The Film Campus traditionally takes place in mid-August. This year, it will run from August 4 to 9, at the Nova Gorica Student Dormitory (Streliška pot 7). It brings together 25 to 35 young participants aged 10 and above from Slovenia, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, and other guest countries. Over the week, at least five short films are produced. In 2016, the mentoring team led by director Darko Sinko was joined by screenwriting professor Miroslav Mandič, who guides young filmmakers in the early stages of developing their ideas and scripts. Since 2017, the team has also included director Leo Černic and director Sandra Jovanovska, who share their expertise in animated films. Young participants also work under the mentorship of local filmmakers and film students, including Neli Maraž, Fabris Šulin, Matej Okroglič, Urban Košir, Kaja Trkman, Giulio de Paolis, Matjaž Ščurek, Jure Batagelj, Aljaž Škrlep, Enej Šuligoj, and Mateja Zorn. Each year, the short films are presented to families and the public during a closing event at the Nova Gorica Town Hall.
Applications are open until spots are filled or until July 21, 2024. Please send your application form and motivation letter to: where we are also available to answer any additional questions.
Once your application is approved, we will inform you of the exact participation fee, which must be transferred to the Silvan Furlan Foundation's account no later than August 2, 2024.
APPLICATION FORM
PERMISSION TO FILM
Between 2016 and 2019, over twenty short films by young authors were created during the film campus. These films were presented at various festivals in Slovenia and Italy, receiving numerous awards. In November, as part of the Slovenian Film Week program, we plan to showcase a selection of these films in several cinemas across the region.
AWARDS
In 2016, the films ON line OFF life and sounds ranked 2nd and 3rd among 46 selected films at the 52nd Meeting of the Youngest Film Creators of Slovenia. Additionally, Flower and Nova Gorica za Poljaka novica, both produced at the international film campus, made it to the top 16.
In 2017, Danijel Bukovec, Alexander Faganel, and Jan Devetak received the Best Italian Talent 2017 award for the film sounds at the Quindici19 International Youth Film Festival in Rome, dedicated to young talents aged 15 to 19.
A conversation with young filmmakers on the show S-prehodi on TV Koper-Capodistria.
In 2019, the film To The Sky, created under the mentorship of Neli Maraž and Luna Zimić Mijović, won the Gold Plaque at the 55th Meeting of the Youngest Film and Video Creators of Slovenia.
ARCHIVE
13th International Youth Film Campus (2024)
Held from August 4–9, with 26 participants. Mentors: Jana Rajh Plohl, Enej Ljubič Šinigoj, Jan Mozetič, Karin Likar, Brina Fekonja, Matej Okroglič, Pietro Cromaz, Alex Chiabai, Lana Andolšek, Anisja Volčič, Peter Persoglia, and Jure Batagelj. Special guest: Vid Hajnšek.
12th International Youth Film Campus (2023)
Held from August 13–18, with 27 participants. Mentors: Jana Rajh Plohl, Enej Ljubič Šinigoj, Jan Mozetič, Jure Batagelj, Karin Likar, Ana Grzetić, Dan Grabnar, Erica Zago. Assistant: Štefan Sedmak. Special guest: Alenka Nahtigal.
11th International Youth Film Campus (2022)
Held from August 14–19, with 35 participants. Mentors: Jana Rajh Plohl, Enej Ljubič Šinigoj, Jan Mozetič, Leo Černic, Peter Persoglia, Alexander Faganel, Danijel Bukovec, Pietro Cromaz, Alex Chiabai, Jure Batagelj.
10th International Youth Film Campus (2021)
Held from August 8–13, with 27 participants. Mentors: Miroslav Mandić, Valerie Wolf Gang, Urban Košir, Enej Ljubič Šinigoj, Mateja Zorn. Young mentors: Jan Devetak, Alexander Faganel, Jana Pohl, Danijel Bukovec. Assistants: Sinja Smokvina, Nace Pregelj, Aljaž Brezigar, Peter Persoglia.
9th International Youth Film Campus (2020)
Held from August 9–14, with 34 participants. Mentors: Ivan Antić, Leo Černic, Sandra Jovanovska, Fabris Šulin, Ana Cerar, Jan Mozetič, Matej Okroglič, Veronika Hozjan, Enej Ljubič Šinigoj, Mateja Zorn.
8th International Youth Film Campus (2019)
Held from August 11–16, with 32 participants. Mentors: Miroslav Mandić, Darko Sinko, Luna Zimić Mijović, Leo Černic, Sandra Jovanovska, Neli Maraž, Fabris Šulin, Urban Košir, Matjaž Ščurek, Giulio de Polis, Aljaž Škrlep, Mateja Zorn.
7th International Youth Film Campus (2018)
Held from August 12–17, with 30 participants. Mentors: Miroslav Mandić, Darko Sinko, Leo Černic, Neli Maraž, Fabris Šulin, Matjaž Ščurek, Urban Košir, Jure Batagelj, Mateja Zorn.
6th International Youth Film Campus (2017)
Held from August 21–25, with 28 participants. Mentors: Miroslav Mandić, Darko Sinko, Leo Černic, Neli Maraž, Fabris Šulin, Matjaž Ščurek, Urban Košir, Giulio de Paolis, Sandra Jovanovska, Mateja Zorn.
5th International Youth Film Campus (2016)
Held from August 22–26, with 22 participants. Mentors: Miroslav Mandić, Darko Sinko, Kaja Trkman, Matjaž Ščurek, Urban Košir, Giulio de Paolis, Mateja Zorn.
4th International Youth Film Campus
3rd International Youth Film Campus