CINEMA 15+

YOUTH FOR YOUTH PROGRAMME

The Cinema 15+ programme is designed to offer youth a place, time, and expert mentorship in coming up with a quality film and side programme for youth. The programme was initiated by Valli Cinema, managed by the Public Institution Pula Film Festival, in August 2022. with four young enthusiasts and cinephiles according to the model ‘youth for youth’. The programme is designed so that the youth participate in all processes of organisation and implementation of the programme, from reflecting about the films, deciding the film programme, side programme, communication and distribution of the programme, to its visual identity. Valli Cinema provides support in designing the programme, training on the ways to produce the programme, where the official copies of films for screening are acquired from and in what way, provides the space at the cinema at their desired time, and allows for visits and training at domestic and international festivals and youth programmes. The programme takes place twice a month, on Saturdays, and screenings are often accompanied by additional events such as quizzes, concerts, and film talks. The youth and the older audience, as well as domestic and international cinemas and festivals, have recognised the value of the programme. The organisational team of Lucas – International Festival for Young Film Lovers in Frankfurt has invited them as guests to the jury in the competition ‘Youngsters’, Taoba International Youth Film Festival has invited them to present their Cinema 15+ programme and participate in the educational and professional programmes, and one of the members represented Croatia at Strasbourg in the Young Talent programme organised by LUX Audience Award, Europa Cinemas, and the European Parliament with the purpose of promoting European film among youth.

The group also participated in the Boot Camp programme organised by Europa Cinemas at the Mediterranean Film Festival Split, dedicated to the theme: Audience Development: Marketing, Branding and Youth Engagement in Independent Cinema Programmes. The young people behind Cinema 15+ are Lara Plastić and Ivan Škorić (architecture students), Frane Pekica and Jakov Benčić (film and television directing students), Marika de Gravisi (public relations and media studies student), Bartol Pekica and Juraj Škorić (students of Pula Gymnasium), and Borna Černe (a social sciences student at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel).

This year, the Kino 15+ program brings youth-made films to young audiences, showcasing a type of cinema created with limited financial resources but no less creativity. All selected titles are the work of directors from Pula’s vibrant young film scene. Although some of the authors are university students and others are still in high school, they all offer fresh and diverse perspectives on filmmaking that will, hopefully, inspire their peers toward their own creative expression through the medium of film.

This year’s program features five short films that faithfully reflect this creative energy: Algoritam (dir. Antonia Ferlin, 3 min), Oda baštini (dir. Juraj Škorić, 3 min), Refleksije (dir. Bartol Pekica, 3 min), Kolegica (dir. Jakov Benčić, 21 min), and Kuraja, Bepo (dir. Frane Pekica, 15 min).

• • AMBRELA – WEDNESDAY 15.7.2026.

    21:30

FREE ENTRANCE