Fresh Film Fest

By Erin Naillon

The Fresh Film Fest, just as its name implies, is a festival showcasing the works of novice filmmakers.

Background

In the 1970s, a small, determined group succeeded in showing student films from FAMU (Academy of Performing Arts, Film School, located in Prague) at the prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Every two years, until 1991, young filmmakers had their works shown at the festival. With the change of program from biennial to annual, more films could be featured in Karlovy Vary – and by 2004, the time was ripe for fresh films to have an event all their own.

2004 and more

2004 was the year when the Fresh Film Fest International Student Film Festival opened its doors in Karlovy Vary. The festival ran from August 24 to 28. Only feature films were admitted for competition, but documentaries and animated films were also shown.

2010 marked the first year the festival was held in Prague (where it is taking place this year, as well). This year’s event, the eighth, will show approximately 150 films, mostly student films and first features. There are four competitions:

Fresh Generation – For Feature Debuts and Second Features.

Confrontations – International Competition of Feature and Documentary Student Films.

Theatre Optique – International Competition of Animated and Experimental Student Films.

Fresh Czech – Competition of Czech Student Films.

For those who like something different, those who are looking to see who will be the next big-name director or those who are curious to see what sorts of creative minds are working in film, Fresh Film Fest offers a wide variety. This year’s festival takes place August 24 – 28. For more details, click here.