Pula Film Forum is made up of conversations, meetings, and panels with participation from representatives of the international and domestic audiovisual community with the goal of strengthening dialogue and exchanging professional knowledge, as well as identifying and spreading quality practices in domestic cinema. The aim is to develop the programme so that it becomes a meeting platform for the most relevant actors in the audiovisual community and a platform to discuss current issues. Each of the round tables will have a minute-taker, who will work with the organisers and public relations office to provide a lasting document and an opportunity to monitor positive developments with interested participants.
The main topics of this year’s Forum will be development of film projects and positive practices in domestic film distribution, and the programme will see participation from this year’s international and regional guests: Matthieu Darras, founder and CEO of Tatino Films who designs and leads several relevant international programmes of film talents and projects (First Cut Lab, Pop Up Film Residency, and Full Circle Lab), and who was TorinoFilmLab’s artistic director and consultant for leading European film festivals, including Cannes and Venice; Goran Stanković, Serbian director and screenwriter, who co-authored the series Morning Changes Everything and Operation Sabre with Snežana van Houwelingen, who has produced numerous film and TV projects; Mitja Okorn, Slovenian director who achieved international success in Poland and Hollywood (Life in a Year, Boxer), Sergio Mimica-Gezzan, Croatian-American director known for his work in TV series (Heroes, Medici, Prison Break), who worked as Steven Spielberg’s assistant director on numerous films.
SERGIO MIMICA-GEZZAN: Work and Success in the World’s Most Competitive Industry
YOUTH CENTER
MONDAY, 14 JULY AT 12:00 a.m.
LANGUAGE: English
MODERATOR: Tibor Vukelić
Sergio Mimica-Gezzan
Croatian-American director and producer Sergio Mimica-Gezzan began his career as Steven Spielberg’s longtime collaborator, with whom he collaborated on iconic titles such as Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan. Today he directs series such as Heroes, Medici, Prison Break and The Witcher. His work is defined by a strong visual style, precise narration and thematic depth. He puts special emphasis on character development and atmosphere, often bringing an authentic European sensibility into American productions. In the masterclass, he will discuss his directorial journey, work in big TV networks and his visual approach to directing. The conversation will focus on American production practices that could inspire the Croatian audiovisual scene, as well as on the differences in film poetics and production approaches between Europe and the USA.
MITJA OKORN: Work Hard Mindset
CENTAR ZA MLADE / YOUTH CENTER
TUESDAY, 15 JULY AT 12:00 a.m.
LANGUAGE: Croatian
MODERATOR: David Uranjek
MITJA OKORN
The lecture follows the professional journey of director Mitja Okorn – from his native Slovenia, through success in Poland, all the way to Hollywood. Through a personal story about music, skateboarding, discovering the camera and his first love for film, Mitja will talk about the importance of complete dedication and sacrifice. He will explain his belief that at least seven years of intensive work are needed before the first major results, the development of his work habits and the reasons why it is important to “be a big fish in a small pond”. The talk will refer to his big breakthrough on the Polish market (a romantic comedy with 2.5 million viewers), how it launched him to the USA where he directed the film Life in a Year with Jaden Smith and Cara Delevingne in the lead roles. The discussion will touch on working with agents, hundreds of meetings, writing pitches and surviving in the harsh Hollywood system. In conclusion, Mitja will finish with tips on current trends for young filmmakers who are just entering the industry.
MATTHIEU DARRAS: From Script to Screen
FESTIVAL CENTER
TUESDAY, 15 JULY AT 4:00 p.m.
LANGUAGE: English
MODERATOR: Stefan Ivančić
Matthieu Darras
This talk will explore the creative journey from the written idea to the finished film, focusing on the often-overlooked but crucial stages of treatment writing and editing. We’ll begin by examining the importance of treatments in shaping narrative vision and guiding development. The conversation will then move into the editing phase, where structure and storytelling are refined, with insights into the work of development labs such as First Cut Lab. By tracing this process, the session highlights how early narrative choices and editorial decisions work hand in hand to define a film’s final form.
Matthieu Darras is the founder and CEO of Tatino Films. Since 2019, the company has been designing and implementing film and talent development programs worldwide. Its flagship initiatives are the First Cut Lab, the Pop Up Film Residency, and the Full Circle Lab. Darras previously worked for major film festivals such as Cannes, Venice and San Sebastian. He was also involved in founding of the TorinoFilmLab, and worked as its artistic director until 2018.
GORAN STANKOVIĆ, SNEŽANA VAN HOUWELINGEN: From Real Event to Series: The Creative and Production Process of Operation Sabre
YOUTH CENTER
WEDNESDAY, 16 JULY AT 12:00 a.m.
LANGUAGE: Croatian
MODERATOR: Vanja Jambrović
In this lecture within the Pula PRO programme, co-creator and one of the directors Goran Stanković and producer Snežana van Houwelingen, will present the development and production of the series Operation Sabre, a political thriller based on real events that changed modern Serbian history. Through the presentation of key stages: from research, script development and creation of the writers’ room, to directing, financing and international sale, the specifics of working on a series that deals with sensitive topics and real personalities are discussed. The organization of regional productions, the challenges of co-production and work with international partners will also be discussed. The lecture will offer a valuable insight into all aspects of the creation of the series, which was selected at the Canneseries Festival and deeply resonated with the audience and critics.
ROUND TABLE organized by DHFA: HRT (Croatian RadioTelevision) as it should be
FESTIVALSKI CENTAR / FESTIVAL CENTER
SATURDAY, 12 JULY AT 2:30 p.m.
LANGUAGE: Croatian
MODERATOR: Jasna Nanut
SPEAKERS; Chris Marcich (HAVC), Miljenka Čogelja (HRUP), Nikica Zdunić (DHFR) i Danko Stefanović (DHFA)
The panel organized by the Croatian Film Authors’ and Producers’ Association will address the potential of HRT’s cooperation with the Croatian audiovisual community, as well as HRT’s indispensable role in the country’s cultural development and preservation of national identity. The panel will discuss the common vision of the public broadcaster with a focus on the potential of cooperation and co-production of creative cinematography, as well as international creative networking. The discussion will feature representatives of professional associations within the audiovisual industry, and the discussion moderator will be director and screenwriter Jasna Nanut, president of the Croatian Film Authors’ and Producers’ Association.
SPECIAL EVENT: Presentation of the Audiovisual Workers’ Branch of the Trade Union of Education, Media and Culture of Croatia (SOMK)
FESTIVAL CENTER
FRIDAY, 11 JULY AT 4:30 p.m.
LANGUAGE: Croatian
The discussion will be attended by members of the newly established trade union branch and members of SOMK trade union. The event is intended for members of professional associations in the audiovisual sector: HDFK, DHFR, HFS, HFM, SPID, HDDU, HRUP and all workers in the audiovisual sector. The branch of audiovisual workers will be represented by Eva Kraljević, cameraman and director, and Dora Slakoper, editor and director, while Iva Ivšić will participate on behalf of the Trade Union of Education, Media and Culture of Croatia.
