WEDNESDAY, 22. oktober
10:00
Green Hall
Telling the Story Safely: Intimacy Coordination in Film and Television with Polett Kasza
The workshop introduces the role of the Intimacy Coordinator in film and television and discusses how intimate scenes can be approached safely, respectfully, and creatively. It is designed for directors, actors, producers, and anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes process. The session offers practical insights into what qualifies as an intimate scene, why clear boundaries and consent matter, and how structured support, choreography, and communication support both performer safety and effective storytelling in production. It also highlights industry standards, on-set protocols, and the ways intimacy coordination strengthens trust and collaboration in the creative process.
Polett Kasza is a professional dancer with comprehensive training from the SAG-AFTRA-accredited Safe Sets Intimacy Coordinators (SA/UK).
The event will be in English.
12:00
Green Hall
The Role of Experimental and Avant-garde Cinema in Slovenian Cultural Landscape
The panel discussion looks into the state of experimental and avant-garde cinema in Slovenia and opens a critical and constructive space for public debate on its role in the broader cultural landscape. An art form that acts as an important counterweight to commercial cinema and a space for in-depth socio-critical reflection, experimental and avant-garde cinema often remains outside existing funding opportunities and classifications and, as a result, on the margins of Slovenian film production.
Mara Ambrožič Verderber, director of the Piran Coastal Galleries, and Matevž Jerman, curator of the Slovenian Cinematheque’s experimental film collection, talk to Jasmina Cibic, Marina Gržinić, Ema Kugler, and Naško Križnar.
In cooperation with the Piran Coastal Galleries.
THURSDAY, 23. oktober
10.00
Green Hall
Film Finds Music – Music Finds Film, Markus Linde talks to Kukla
Film seeks like-minded Music for an honest and lasting relationship. Distinguished original songs or a bespoke musical score? Music supervision and rights clearing and much more.
A hands-on talk that addresses the challenges of Film and Music finding each other and the potential of their collaboration.
Audience participation welcome.
In cooperation with the SIGIC Music Information Centre and Europe in Synch. The talk will be in English.
12:00–14.00
Green Hall
The EinS Synch Clinic: The Doctor Will See You Now!
- How can I use music in my film?
- Don’t be afraid of rights!
- Score & source music – composers & original recordings
- The experts: music supervisors – how to find them, what they do.
Everything you have ever wanted to ask about the use of music in your film!
Book your personal consultation with Europe in Synch’s Head of the Academy Markus Linde. Single or up to 3 people, 20-30 minutes.
The consultation will be in English.
14.00
Main Hall
Celebrating 120 Years of Slovenian Cinema: Don’t Come Back the Same Way
(Jože Babič, 1965), 90 min
In their lives away from their families, seasonal workers resort to alcohol and brawls, football and escapism in order to keep their minds off their homesickness, their problems in relationships with Slovene girls and the derisive attitude of some of the “real” Slovenes they work with. Is nationality really the decisive factor which determines who is your brother and who your enemy? And are there not things more painful even than the cutting edge of a knife or the silence amongst the walls of looming skyscrapers?
The screening is followed by a Q&A.
16:00
Amphitheatre
4th Film Student Networking Event
This is the fourth networking event for film students of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design (ALUO) and the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film, and Television (AGRFT), both University of Ljubljana, and the School of Arts, University of Nova Gorica, aimed at bringing students together to meet and share their impressions.
This year, the three schools have joined forces in organising the event, with its programme conceived by students Matic Dominko and Vukašin Stepančić (AGRFT), Špela Klavora and Ajda Varl (UNG School of Arts), and Miha Freund and Maya Simona Franko (ALUO).
17.00
Amphitheatre
In the Kingdom of Slovenian Cinema: Quiz
In 1905, the first video recording in Slovenia was made, a film less than a minute long by Dr. Karol Grossmann, Dismissal from Mass in Ljutomer, which means that in 2025, we are celebrating 120 years of Slovenian cinema. To informally mark this anniversary, the Slovenian Film Critics Association FIPRESCI organises an interactive film quiz that will take us on an entertaining journey through Slovenian film history and test how much we really know about it. Hosted by Luka Marčetić, the quiz is open to up to 10 teams of up to three members, who will answer 30 questions from different periods and different areas of Slovenian filmmaking.
FRIDAY, 24. oktober
11.00
The Communal Palace lobby, Tartinijev trg 2, Piran
Unveiling of EFA Plaque
The European Film Academy has added eleven new locations to its list of Treasures of European Film Culture, including the 1st of May Square in Piran, which is considered one of the most recognisable and iconic Slovenian film locations. Czech director František Čap chose this square as the setting for his legendary comedy Our Car (Naš avto, 1962), and the square later appeared in the biggest Slovenian film hit of the 1980s, Summer in a Seashell (Poletje v školjki, 1986), directed by Tugo Štiglic. EFA Director Matthijs Wouter Knol will be in attendance at the unveiling of the plaque.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FILM SET DESIGN, COSTUME DESIGN, AND MAKE-UP FOR ENHANCING THE VISIBILITY AND PROFESSIONALISM OF VISUAL ROLES IN FILMMAKING
10:00
Green Hall
Slovenian Association of Set Designers, Costume Designers, and Make-up Artists: When Does Cinema Become Team Work?
Through a constructive discussion between filmmakers and representatives of set design, costume design, and make-up sectors, the panel discussion explores the creative and production process of filmmaking: from script analysis to the final visual realisation. How does each sector read the script and how does coordination between sectors unfold? When is the right moment for the film director and director of photography to involve the set designer, costume designer, and make-up artist in the visual and creative process?
Boris Petkovič talks to production designer Neža Zinajić, costume designer Tina Bonča, make-up artist Mojca Gorogranc Petrushevska, director Urška Djukić, director of photography Gregor Božič, actor Jurij Drevenšek, producer Katja Lenarčič, and editor Matic Drakulič.
12:00
Green Hall
Slovenian Association of Set Designers, Costume Designers, and Make-up Artists: Working on International and Big-budget Films
Members of the Slovenian Association of Set Designers, Costume Designers, and Make-up Artists share their experience of working in international environments and on big-budget films. What are the specifics and how is work organised in such projects?
With additional insights by Ira Cecić, who has worked on big-budget films such as The Union (2024), Back in Action (2025), and Cold War (2018).
Hosted by Mateja Fajt.
14:00
Amphitheatre
A reception hosted by the Slovenian Association of Set Designers, Costume Designers, and Make-up Artists.
In cooperation with the Slovenian Federation of Filmmakers’ Guilds and AIPA.
15:30
Main Hall
Screening of I Am from Titov Veles & Masterclass with Teona Strugar Mitevska
(Teona Strugar Mitevska, 2007), 102 min
A poignant metaphorical tragedy about the end of national identity, this is the second feature film by Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska, whose works are known for their distinct visual style as well as powerful messages.
The screening is followed by a masterclass in which the director sheds light on her work process and communication with the visual sector, from the initial preparations a year before the shooting, to making sketches, drawings and collecting visual references.
Hosted by Veronika Zakonjšek.
SATURDAY, 25. oktober
10.00
Magazin Grando
WORKSHOP PRESENTATION AND CLOSING SESSIONS
In 2025, the Directors Guild of Slovenia (DSR) celebrates several anniversaries: twenty years since its establishment, the tenth edition of the Scenarnica workshop, the fifth edition of the Dokumentarnica workshop, and the tenth (and third organised as part of DSR) edition of the Kratka Scena workshop.
In this festive spirit, we cordially invite you to the presentation and closing sessions of the three workshops.
‘Kratka Scena’, a short film script development workshop, is organised in a creative partnership between DSR and the Society for short film promotion Kraken. An introduction
of the workshop and its programme by the workshop tutors Matevž Jerman, Nika Jurman and Anja Prusnik is followed by project pitches by workshop participants.
‘Dokumentarnica’, a documentary filmmaking lab, has been underway for the fifth year with directors Matjaž Ivanišin, Rok Biček, Petra Seliškar, and Helle Hansen. Presentations of their projects will be delivered by participants of Year 2024.
‘Scenarnica’, an intensive feature film script development workshop on how to turn an idea into a draft screenplay, is led by Elma Tataragić as the tutor. A presentation of the workshop by its artistic head Matevž Luzar is followed by project pitches by the participants, who will also read short excepts from their scripts.
With participation from actors Nika Rozman and Jurij Drevenšek.
There will be a short break after each session.
All three workshops are funded by the Slovenian Film Centre.
Project partners: Slovenian Film Centre, AIPA and Association of Slovenian Film Producers
13.45
Main Hall
Screening of God Be with Us
(Slobodan Šijan, 2024), 102 min
The first ‘Friend of Slovenian Cinema’, Slobodan Šijan, returns to Portorož. In a special screening, the filmmaker behind the legendary Yugoslav films such as Who’s Singin’ Over There? (1980) and The Marathon Family (1982), shows his latest work.
Followed by a Q&A.
14.00
Magazin Grando
DSR Social Get-together
Join us in raising our glasses in a toast to Slovenian cinema and filmmakers in the relaxed atmosphere of the new film venue!
All film enthusiasts are welcome: professionals or professionals-to-be.
The Saturday afternoon get-together is hosted by the Directors Guild of Slovenia (DSR) in cooperation with AIPA and the Slovenian Film Centre.
Kosobrin Award Ceremony
At the 11th Kosobrin Awards Ceremony, the Directors Guild of Slovenia presents its 2025
Kosobrin Award for a priceless crew member.
This year’s winner is Zoran Mihailović, key visual effects artist and DI supervisor.
The Kosobrin Awards Ceremony is part of ‘DSR 20 Evening’, a programme funded by the Slovenian Film Centre.
Free Chess Zone
The festival traditionally provides the opportunity to invite your colleagues or random strangers to a game of chess, a royal game where rather than defeat, losing is a chance for another game. Come and join us at one of the two tables with a chessboard!
The tournament is organised by the Chess Division of the Directors Guild of Slovenia (DSR).
16.00
Green Hall
Talk with EFA Director Matthijs Wouter Knol
A discussion with festival visitors, Slovenian filmmakers, producers, and film students, designed as an opportunity to deepen the connection between the European Film Academy and the Slovenian film community. Hosted by Danijel Hočevar, member of the Academy and representative of the region on the EFA Board.
The event will be in English.
SUNDAY, 26. oktober
10.00
Main Hall
Screening of TV series Stink Bomb
(Filip Jembrih Jandras, 2025), 2 x 14 min
11.15
Main Hall
Screening of TV series The Monster Behind the Iron Curtain
(Tomaž Gorkič, 2025), 2 x 30 min
12.15
Main Hall
The Future of Quality Drama Series in Slovenia
Following the lead of many other European film centres, the Slovenian Film Centre has recently been striving to boost the production of TV series. In 2023, it established a mechanism for the steady funding of quality drama, documentary and animated series through regular public calls for proposals. Slovenia has also become one of the countries that have joined the Eurimages fund’s pilot project for co-financing drama series, which is a major push for more ambitious series and co-productions in the local cultural landscape.
The first two drama series produced with the support of the SFC are Tomaž Gorkič’s Monster Behind the Iron Curtain and the children’s series Stink Bomb, directed by Filip Jembrih Jandras. The discussion with TV series producers, the Director of the Slovenian Film Centre, and other guests looks into the adequacy of frameworks and urgent measures needed to ensure the future of quality drama series in Slovenia.