Industry Lab

Alte Kaserne Winterthur, Technikumstrasse 8

09:30–10:00

Welcome with coffee and pastries

Swiss Industry Information: Zürcher Filmstiftung’s new «Fast Track» (in German)

In September, Zürcher Filmstiftung published its new regulations for the Fast Track funding programme, and the first submission deadline under the new guidelines is approaching in November. Overall, the changes represent a move away from a focus on innovation and toward the support of young talent. In a moderated discussion, Hercli Bundi, managing director of Zürcher Filmstiftung, will explain the ideas behind the reconception and answer audience questions.

Speaker: Hercli Bundi, Zürcher Filmstiftung (CH)

Keynote Speech: Nebojša Slijepčević

Nebojša Slijepčević won the European Film Award and was nominated for an Oscar for his short film «The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent». But his work goes far beyond shorts and also includes series and feature films. In his Keynote Speech, Nebojša will talk about why he keeps returning to shorts, why he finds them more exciting than the long form, and how self-imposed rules and restrictions shaped his Oscar-nominated film. He will also provide insights into short film production – from mentoring students at the Zagreb School of Documentary Film to reviving documentary production at Zagreb Film, Croatia’s only remaining public production company, which looks back on a 75-year history of history.

Roundtable: From Short to Feature?

For many filmmakers, short films are a testing ground for narrative and aesthetic approaches. Condensing artistic ideas in a short amount of time leads to innovative and powerful works. Due to limited distribution opportunities, short films are also less subject to market pressures, so they generally offer a lot of freedom. At the same time, very few filmmakers build their entire careers on short films alone. Rather, many see shorts as a springboard to feature-length productions. Shorts allow young filmmakers to prove their skills and attract attention before being entrusted with a long project. The relationship between shorts and feature-length films remains controversial. One thing is certain: short films offer a level of artistic freedom that feature films often lack. But they also have to contend with the stigma of being «unfinished» or «just a start». Our Roundtable examines these tensions from various perspectives and explores the question of how short films can assert themselves as an independent art form.

Speakers: Simone Bardoni, Lights On (IT); Sabine Boss, dean of studies in the film department at ZHdK (CH); Jonas Odell, filmmaker (SE); Levin Vieth, Producer, Dschoint Ventschr (CH)

Soup’n’Group

A warm invitation to soup, bread, conversation, and brownies.

Case Study: Short Film Recycled

Short films often open doors to bigger projects. They allow artists to test out ideas on a small scale, develop a visual language, or to refine a story. In our Case Study, filmmakers talk about how a short film helped them prepare for a subsequent feature-length project. Concrete examples illustrate how to successfully transition from short to feature film and what opportunities this path can open up.

Speakers: Whammy Alcazaren, filmmaker (PH); Steffen Goldkamp, filmmaker (DE); tba

The Future of Shorts – Revisited

In 2012, Kurzfilmtage hosted the panel discussion «The Future of Short Film». Lars Henrik Gass (Oberhausen), Maike Mia Höhne (Berlinale Shorts), Peter van Hoof (Rotterdam), Jukka-Pekka Laakso (Tampere), and Laurence Reymond (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, Cannes) were invited to present a short film and discuss the future of the form from an artistic perspective. The guests shared utopian visions of the future of cinema: How will filmmaking develop, and what ripples will it cause? Many festivals feel an urge to identify trends early on, driven by their passion for discovery. In May 2014, John Canciani published insights from the panel in the journal OnCurating #23. Today, several years later, the questions remain: Which trends have prevailed? What is still relevant, and what has changed?

Moderator: John Canciani, Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur (CH)

Speakers: Florian Fernandez, Cannes Short Film Corner (FR); Maike Mia Höhne, Kurzfilm Festival Hamburg (DE); Wouter Jansen, Square Eyes Distribution (AT); Lyse Nsengiyumva, International Film Festival Rotterdam (NL)

Museum Schaffen, Lagerplatz 9

Market Meetings: Meet & Mingle

The Market Meetings offer filmmakers an opportunity to make valuable contacts in a short time. About 20 to 25 international experts who work in festivals and distribution/sales are available for conversations in a speed-dating format. Approximately every seven minutes, a sound signal indicates that it is time to switch tables. There is no matchmaking and no preregistration for meetings with specific professionals. Instead, the event offers a chance to exchange contacts and arrange additional meetings. Whether for presenting projects or for informal encounters, the Market Meetings open doors to new networks and opportunities.

Short Drink – Industry Reception

The full list of speakers and guest will be published shortly before the festival in our Industry Guide.