Last day of Ponta Lopud

On the final day of the third Ponta Lopud Festival, acclaimed film director Juho Kuosmanen held a masterclass titled “Director’s Fear of the New Project.” Drawing from his own experiences, he emphasized the importance of balancing relationships on set and expressing artistic honesty. He stressed how young directors are often anxious about taking on directing roles due to the potential abuse of power or the delicate balance required. He concluded that film festivals hold greater value beyond the pursuit of awards, encouraging participants to savour every moment.

The final lecture, entitled “Ponta Lopud 2023 Masterclass Wrap Up,” drew the attendance of all participants, speakers, and masters. It proved to be immensely moving, as each speaker felt the urge to share heartfelt and uplifting thoughts with the young and talented artists. The atmosphere was full of shared enthusiasm as participants and speakers both openly expressed their unwavering excitement for the transformative experience they had encountered throughout the past five days. They all agreed unanimously that this festival’s unique format had given them immeasurable knowledge and invaluable assets to propel their future professional pursuits. However, what truly sets this festival apart was the profound sense of intimacy and the inspiring ambience felt every single moment of these five extraordinary festival days.

As the event drew to a close, the masters and speakers gave valuable advice to the participants. Edward Norton urged them to be courageous, to send inquiries and emails, to be proactive, and to never give up. He emphasized that they have nothing to lose but gain new, incredible opportunities that might otherwise remain unexploited. Ruben Östlund emphasized the importance of assembling an enthusiastic and passionate team, suggesting that the current location should be considered the centre of the world. Often, such a team can accomplish much more for a film than an experienced outsider. Urszula Pontikos reminded everyone about the significance of supporting colleagues with less experience, emphasizing that everyone is vulnerable at every stage of their professional career. Pawel Pawlikowski highlighted the importance of overcoming the “imposter syndrome” and complexes to fully realize one’s talent. In his concluding remarks, Juho Kuosmanen stressed the importance of observing the development of emotions and intuition when working with actors. He emphasized that it’s not only the actors’ talent that matters, but also the emotions their performances evoke. Peter Spears emphasized the importance of developing one’s artistic expression and authenticity in the film industry as crucial elements of success, while Brian Swardstrom offered his assistance to actors in preparing press kits and providing outreach advice.

After the final lecture, a group of participants, speakers, and guests of Ponta Lopud embarked on a day trip to Dubrovnik. In the evening, they gathered at La Villa restaurant to enjoy local specialities and socialize.

The last open-air film screening took place on the beach of the RMH Lopud Lafodia Resort & Wellness Hotel. The audience had the opportunity to watch last year’s winner of the Palme d’Or and four major European Film Awards, as well as a nominee for three Oscars, Ruben Östlund’s TRIANGLE OF SADNESS. Once again, the director emphasized the importance of experiencing a film in a social setting, stating, “After watching a film together, we discuss it with others, which compels us to think and process what we saw on the screen. That is what makes cinema special. I believe it is important because this type of interaction shapes the way we perceive the world around us. I hope that after watching this film, you will feel the need to discuss it, share your thoughts with others, and even stop me if you see me on Lopud to share your reflections.” The director’s candidness captivated the audience.

The evening concluded with a closing party held in the garden of the Grand Hotel, a protected cultural monument and a true masterpiece of Croatian architecture. Surrounded by magnificent palm trees that hold great significance for those who love this island, the party was attended by all participants, speakers, volunteers, locals, as well as the talented and generous people who contributed their enthusiasm to make Lopud live the art of cinema in the most beautiful way possible.