Isola Cinema 2
From 25th to 29th of May, in Izola, Slovenia
The countdown has begun: the 25th of May is only a month away and we are warming up for the international film festival Isola Cinema – the festival of African, Asian, Latin American and Eastern European film with friends which will transform the town of Izola into a film island for a week.
The cinema tribe
Once Isola Cinema takes over Izola no one can escape the films and filmmakers. It’s the festival’s atmosphere, bringing together filmmakers, journalists, audiences and organizers as one cinema tribe – that is what we consider the greatest achievement of our festival. Otherwise known as the famous Finn Kaurismäki and the Palm winner from Cannes Apichatpong Weerasethakul, here they were happy to be Mika and Joe.
And because we believe our audience cannot fully appreciate the films unless they meet the authors, Izola will once again become home to more than fifteen filmmakers, and off course many publicists, friends of international film festivals and cinema organizations from all over the world.
The cinema of adventure
The center stage of the festival will again be the open air cinema at Manzioli square, excellently constructed by the professional Holland team Openluchtbioscoop. Each and every day it will take you into the magical world of cinema. During the festival the open air is reserved for the opening and closing films, and the six films competing for the audience award (the distribution of the winning film in Slovenia). Last year this award went to the Russian film Granny (by Lidija Bobrova), which has in the meantime achieved enormous success in cinemas across Slovenia.
Films will also be shown at three other locations: at Izola’s Art Cinema Odeon, at the Cultural centre, and at Lighthouse cinema. The Lighthouse cinema on the beach will come alive at night, offering films and video projections under the star lit sky.
The harvest
This year’s official program includes around 30 films. For now we’re keeping it a secret, but just until the 10th of May press conference. Still, let us give you some clues. The competition program The Harvest will include films from six different countries: Iran is returning for the second year, the others are newcomers from Peru, Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Morocco and Iraq. The Masters section will again introduce a selection of the recent material from the four continents’ finest, and this year’s retrospective South of film is celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the French film fund Fonds sud cinéma.
Africa and Latin America will be at the heart of this year’s Isola Cinema, especially their young filmmakers, both men and women …
The section Friends will once again present the films and filmmakers of the year, chosen by prominent international film experts. This time they have selected quite an interesting pair, a young Chinese independent and an American with a Hollywood past. Yes, this too is Isola Cinema.
We are also introducing a new section called Far East Special in cooperation with the Italian Far East Film festival from Udine. And last but not least, the Video on the beach will again offer an introduction to less known video authors. But this year we’re not leaving out the international professional video production, and an insight into domestic video creations.
When the cape comes alive
After the last show is over the Islanders gather at the cape. But this year the light house will not have to wait till sundown for company to arrive. It will be ‘the spot’ all day round hosting interviews with guest filmmakers, practical instructions for the students of Merry Camera and other enthusiasts, and the presentation of books and other festival related non-cinematic projects, such as a film quiz and lots more. The festival kitchen will bring together all the continents. Wonders from far away lands will be sold at the film market. And there will also be all sorts of artistic workshops – for children by age and those at heart. This year we are using rocks, building with rocks, gluing them together, painting them and even making jewelry out of them. But if you’re not a rock person, there’s always clay…or dough.
A film vacation at the camp
This means a full and exciting festival program, but also the smell of the see and that end of May feeling when summer is just around the corner. Our volunteer troops set up a temporary camp, surrounded by the soothing smell of pine trees. Apart from the volunteer brigades the camp is open to all cinematic enthusiasts who decide to buy the festival card. But unfortunately the camp has its limits and only those speedy enough will be able to spend their film holidays with us.
Isola on the web
- the festival on internet
Isola Cinema festival has also set up a web page dedicated to the festival. This is not merely a short lived page offering information only during the few days of the festival and tuning out as soon as the last credits are rolled. It is rather a festival in its own right. We try to follow cinematic events all year round, and keep in close touch with the filmmakers and guests who join our festival. This is one way of making sure that »our« authors remain close to us when they leave, and when they return we can greet them as old friends. If you missed the first Isola Cinema and would like to at least take a peak, all the events and a photo gallery are right there for you on the festival’s web page.
Booking in advance
Starting with the 25th of April it is possible to buy festival cards in advance. These include tickets to all film shows, free catalogue and accommodation at the camp. Also available are the Isola packages, which include all film shows at open air cinema (opening night with the opening film, three nights with six competition films and closing night with the last film of the festival). The number of cards and packages is limited. For information on ticket offices go to: