The aim of the Pula PRO programme is to identify and present quality practices and positive trends in distribution, marketing, and promotion of Croatian and regional films. The programme is a meeting platform for the most important stakeholders in this region and a platform for the exchange of professional knowledge and finding quality practices with the aim of improving distribution strategies and audience development. Our intention is also to create a framework for quality discussion that will enable the identification of current issues, but also potential solutions.
DHB, 15.7. at 14:30
Round table: One for all – Croatian film at international festivals
Moderator: Miljenka Čogelja
Over the last few years, we have seen great success of Croatian film at international festivals. To what extent does the success of a film open the doors to an entire film industry, and are there mechanisms to ensure greater visibility and marketing of Croatian film? Small film industries certainly aspire to finding a way to the competition programmes of big festivals, but in what way can they compete with big countries and more developed film industries? What are the strategies, and are there trends and themes we can use to secure better presence and visibility? Is the presence of international selectors in Croatia necessary for a better experience and understanding of the film industry? We will try to answer these, and many other questions, and to identify the quality practices at this round table, with participation from selectors of A list festivals and Croatian authors who have experience in international marketing of their films.
Nicola Marzano, film curator and producer
Stefan Ivančić, film curator (Locarno Film Festival, Auteur Film Festival)
Irena Jelić, Head of Department for Promotion and Placement, Croatian Audiovisual Centre
Katarina Prpić, producer of The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent (Palme d’Or, Cannes 2024.)
Marija Stojanović, producer (Forever Hold Your Peace, Oasis)
DHB, 16.7. at 15:00
Round table: Is there life after the premiere?
Moderator: Vanja Jambrović
It is more and more common that Croatian and independent projects go into national distribution with a lack of dates and cinemas, which negatively impacts the overall number of viewers. The lack of repertoire cinemas in Zagreb is also one of the burning issues in the audiovisual community. For all these reasons, many are pointing to the importance of using the potential of the Croatian Independent Cinemas Network, which gathers some 50 independent cinemas. Is it possible to design an evaluation system (numerical and programme criteria, financial stimulation) that would encourage the members of the network to programme Croatian and independent films to a greater extent? Can multiplexes be included in solving this problem by ensuring a specialised screen? This round table will focus on these issues, with participation from representatives of the Croatian Independent Cinemas Network, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, multiplexes, and distributers of Croatian and independent films.
Christopher P. Marcich, Chief Executive Officer, Croatian Audiovisual Centre
Danijela Fabric Fabijanac, president od Croatian Independent Cinemas Network and director of POU Slatina
Alen Munitić, artistic director, distribution Kino Mediteran
Tina Tišljar, producer (Celebration, The Uncle)
Tomislav Vinceković, Member of the Board & COO International Sales, Blitz
Jadranka Islamović, Member of the Board & CEO, CineStar Cinemas
Nataša Šimunov, manager of cinema Valli (Pula)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17th AT 2:30 PM, FESTIVAL CENTRE
PANEL: The Price of Passion
MODERATOR: Jasna Nanut
LANGUAGE: Croatian
How does the passion for film, with which we as authors are inevitably “infected,” impact our mental health and existence, and consequently, our creative expression and cinema itself? A comparison with working conditions in the film industries of other EU countries. Is it possible to secure the livelihood of authors and other rights holders through the collective exercise of copyright and related rights? What challenges do organizations for the collective exercise of rights face, and what problems do they share with their counterparts in similar associations in the region? What is the price of passion for filmmaking, how can we improve the position and working conditions for authors, and at the same time strengthen Croatian cinema to compete equally in the European market?
Participants: Representatives of DHFR, HRUP, HFS, HDFD, SPID, HFM.
