SHORT TALK WITH PER FIKSE

(student fiction jury member) 

BEST SHORT STUDENT FICTION FILM Category

22nd IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival 2025

Toma Manov: What are this year’s most noticeable thematic tendencies in the selected student fiction films at the IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival?

Per Fikse: No thematic tendencies per se. 

Toma Manov: Do the majority this year’s selected films stick to the established values of fiction film cinematography, or do students bring in a new approach?

Per Fikse: No surprises or innovations noted.

Toma Manov: When compared to other festivals you have attended in the recent year, how does IN THE PALACE’s student fiction film selection differ? Or perhaps is it similar?

Per Fikse: The selection leans towards a rather conservative side, with more mainstream films than many other festivals. If I were to give some advice, I would strongly recommend to be more strict in the selection of long, domestic fiction with TV-like qualities. 

Toma Manov: Would you say that the student fiction films at this year’s edition of IN THE PALACE were concise and easily comprehensible, or did they include moments that were not necessarily needed?

Per Fikse: The films were maybe too easily comprehensible.

Interviewer: Toma Manov

Editor: Martin Kudlac