The third day of the festival kicked off with a masterclass by renowned director of photography Urszula Pontikos, designed for all the invited participants. Urszula spoke about the significance of the relationship between DoP’s and directors, particularly when it comes to creating captivating storytelling. She generously shared her personal experiences and advised all attendees to only embark on projects they wholeheartedly believe in. “Sometimes the role of a director of photography is to convince their team that the director’s vision is right, despite contrasting perspectives, and contribute to achieving the goal through collaborative work,” she emphasized. Urszula also stressed the importance of fostering a positive atmosphere while avoiding ad hoc / last-minute changes on set. “Respecting the agreement made during the preparation stage before filming is crucial to avoid any confusion among team members,” she added. In the afternoon, Urszula conducted a workshop exclusively dedicated to female cinematographers.

Michel Franco delivered an insightful lecture to the participants, directors and actors, titled “Money is not the most crucial element for making a film.” He gave valuable advice to emerging filmmakers, urging them that when their film’s budget surpasses the limits, they should grab a pen and start over with calculations, seeking every opportunity to save costs, leveraging existing resources, and utilizing their contacts. “It is vital to identify the people with whom it’s a pleasure to collaborate and continue fostering relationships with these teams. Surround yourself with good people, be persistent and open-minded to the opinions of others,” emphasized Michel Franco.

Ruben Östlund captivated the audience with his masterclass entitled ” Pitching as a method how to write a project,” attended by all participants, including CineLink participants. He delved into the universal issue of short attention span, and the challenge of maintaining focus on content, and offered invaluable techniques to captivate and satisfy the audience. Through a compelling pitch for his forthcoming project, Ruben spoke about the power of authentic narratives that inspire, the significance of crafting creative and high-quality storylines, and the dynamics between characters.

During the festival, the Sarajevo Film Festival introduced the Regional Film and TV Academy at Lopud, which, in addition to giving annual awards for regional films and based on the same principles implemented three years ago for TV series, will serve as a platform for knowledge and experience transfer to the next generation of film and TV professionals. The academy also aims to promote and protect the industry throughout the entire region. “Following numerous challenges arising from the digital transition and the impact of the pandemic, the regional film market is gradually consolidating. I firmly believe that recognizing the finest regional films by industry professionals will bolster their positioning and visibility on the domestic market, allowing regional films to enjoy a wider viewership and a greater market share. The fact that none of the countries in the region has its own separate film and TV academy is indicative, and we believe that from these activities, such an institution will naturally emerge, serving the rejuvenation, promotion, and protection of our profession,” stated Jovan Marjanović, the director of the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Later in the evening, a dinner and social gathering took place at the Obala restaurant on Lopud’s picturesque seafront. The event was attended by all participants of the Ponta Lopud Festival, distinguished lecturers and masters, as well as the CineLink participants. The evening culminated with a screening of Ruben Östlund’s film FORCE MAJEURE, which the director humorously introduced, saying, “Our aim was to raise the divorce rate, so before screening this film at any festival, I always inquire if there are any couples in the audience, as this film has proven to be a true test of romantic relationships.”

Tickets for film screenings at the RMH Lopud Lafodia Resort & Wellness, as well as boat transfer tickets, can be purchased through the www.ulaznice.hr system or directly via the link ulaznice.hr/r/Ponta-Lopud.