The world-famous Polish film and theatre director will do a 72-hour master class.
Currently, more than a month before the deadline, we have already received more than 2000 short films from all over the world, making this year`s edition the strongest in the festival`s history and carrying on the tradition of showing a unique selection of films from all film schools.
Sofia, April 7th, 2009 – World-famous director, scriptwriter and producer Krzysztof Zanussi is coming to Bulgaria for the 7th IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival. The winner of 31 film awards professor Krzysztof Zanussi will do a 72-hour master class, working with the most talented young professionals, who will take part in a pre-selection contest. Professor Krzysztof Zanussi will be holding an open lecture for all guests of the Festival. The visit of the polish director is a part of the Filmer Forge educational program, which consists of various activities such as: master classes, workshops, lectures and additional trainings for students. Pierre Bismuth and Sandy Lieberson will also attend the Festival, the organizers announced.
Krzysztof Zanussi was born on June 17th, 1939 in Warsaw. He studied physics at the University of Warsaw. In 1960, he joined the department of film directing at the Lodz Film School. His graduation film The Provincial’s Death earned him 4 awards: Silver Lion, International Film Festival, Venice 1967; Golden Ducat, International Film Festival, Mannheim 1968; Golden Aurelia, International Film Festival, Valladolid 1968; Best Foreign Film, Festival of Student Films, Moscow 1968. Almost all of his next films had the same success: The Structure Of Crystal (Silver Condor for the screenplay and award for debuting director, International Film, 1969), Illumination (Grand Prix, FIPRESCI Award, Ecumenical Jury`s Award, International Film Festival, Locarno 1973), Quarterly Balance (1975), Camouflage (1976), The Spiral (Distinction of the Ecumenical Jury, International Film Festival, Cannes 1978), Constant Factor (Best Director Award and Award of the Ecumenical Jury, International Film Festival, Cannes 1980), The Year Of Quiet Sun (Golden Lion and Pasinetti Award of the Association of Italian Film Journalists, International Film Festival, Venice 1984)
From 1974 to 1981, prof. Krzysztof Zanussi was the vice-chairman of the Polish Filmmakers Association. Since 1979, he has been the CEO of TOR Film Unit (now TOR Film Studio), where he has produced a great number of important films, among them the work of his friend, the late Krzysztof Kieslowski. (in 1993-94 co-produced his trilogy Three Coulours: Blue. White. Red). In 1990, Krzysztof Zanussi served as the President of FERA (Federation Europeenne des Realisateurs de l’Audiovisuel) and Eurovisioni. In 1997, he was selected as a member of Pope’s Academy of Art and Literature in The Vatican. Prof. Krzysztof Zanussi is a member of The European Film Academy, which gives out the annual Felix Award.
Professor Krzysztof Zanussi is Doctor Honoris Causa of WGIK Moscow, The National University of Drama and Cinematography I.L. Caragiale (Bucarest), European Humanities University (Minsk), University of Film and Television (Saint Petersburg), Catholic University of Lublin. He became Doctor Honoris Causa of New Bulgarian University in 2002.
The 7th In The Palace International Short Film Festival, Balchik, is organised by Format SFF Foundation with the kind support of the National Institute of Culture - Cultural Center The Palace – Balchik, Balchik Municipality, the National Film Center and the Ministry of Culture.
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In The Palace is an international short film festival featuring professional short films no longer than 45 minutes, which have never been screened in Bulgaria before.This is the first short film festival in Bulgaria funded by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union. This year there are six competitive categories: main international programme, featuring: fiction, documentary and animation films. Television programme, featuring: fiction, documentary, animation; Commercial Video And Films Programme, Music Video Programme. Student Films Programme and In Between Programme for hybrid and other films. The festival host also the educational program Filmer Forge, which consists of various activities such as: master classes, lectures, workshops, seminars and additional courses for students. Attendants will have the unique opportunity to meet acclaimed professionals and get a feel of the climate of today`s film industry. It also helps establishing future contacts, exchange oppinion, communication and reference for future colaboration.
The deadline for foreign films is April 15th and for Bulgarian films – May 15th. More than 2000 short films from all over the world have already been received. The expectations are that the current number will be doubled by the end of the submission deadline (the number of films recieved last year was 1600 from 72 different countries.)
