Karlovy Vary Focuses on Next Generation of European Filmmakers With Future Frames Program

Future Frames is a next generation showcase comprised of prize-winning short works by students and recent graduates of European film schools, curated by the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in cooperation with European Film Promotion, with the support of Creative Europe – the MEDIA Programme of the European Union, and Allwyn as its new main partner. The selected directors and their films will be introduced on-site to Karlovy Vary audiences on July 6 and 7. Esteemed Greek helmer Christos Nikou (“Apples,” “Fingernails”) will mentor the group.

Arnas Balčiūnas
“Past the Hill of Napoleon’s Hat”
Lithuanian Theater and Music Academy
Lithuania
The third short directed by helmer-writer Balčiūnas, the naturalistic “Past the Hill of Napoleon’s Hat,” marks his B.A. graduation film and represents a masterclass in unresolved family tensions. His atmospheric MA thesis film, “Class Photo,” competed in this year’s Cannes Critics’ Week. Alongside his creative work, he is actively involved in film education.

David Champaigne
“Self-Sown”
University of Ljubljana, Academy of Theater, Radio, Film and Television
Slovenia
Ljubljana-born helmer-writer Champaigne is currently developing a feature-length version of his “Self-Sown” screenplay at the Scenarnica Workshop, which is organized and financed by the Directors Guild of Slovenia and the Slovenian Film Center.

Júlia Coldwell Serra
“Nobody Barks”
Catalonia Film and Audiovisual School, ESCAC
Spain
The Spanish helmer-writer shows a flair for dramedy and quirky tone in festival favorite “Nobody Barks,” which nabbed kudos in Busan, Riga and Brussels. She is currently developing her first short outside of film school, titled “Municipal Services,” and plans to shoot at the end of this year. Her project was selected for this year’s Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner Focus Script Lab.

Helmi Donner
“The Lightning Rod”
ELO Film School Finland, Aalto University
Finland
Helmer-writer Donner’s interest in subjects that simultaneously encompass cruelty and tenderness is apparent in both “The Lightning Rod” and her in-development feature debut with the working title “The Needs of Others.” It tells the story of friendship between a rescuer and a victim. The project is participating in the Kehittämö – Talent Development Lab, which provides a grant as well as personal mentoring from top international professionals.

Ollie Launspach
“Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”
Netherlands Film Academy
Netherlands
Perhaps the most intensely personal of the many personal films in this year’s selection, Launspach’s graduation film uses home videos, photographs, diary entries, audio recordings and interviews to explore the impact of his gender transition on his girlfriend. The intimate and playful short has played widely on the festival circuit.

Marie Lukáčová
“Orla”
UMPRUM
Czech Republic
A painter, animator, director, rapper and co-founder of the feminist group Fourth Wave, which opened a debate on the topic of sexism at Czech universities, Lukáčová is also a lecturer at the Center for Audiovisual Studies at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU). Her eco-feminist fairytale “Orla” was developed with the KVIFF Talents scheme.

Teilo Quillard
“Zampano”
La Fémis
France
Son of a French trapeze artist and an English aerialist, helmer-writer Quillard grew up in a traditional circus world. His next two projects, however, take place amidst a more contemporary circus environment. “I Love You, Fuck Off” is about two punk clowns in chaotic love and explores co-dependence in a couple. “Aller Là-Bas (Ali Baba)” follows a young man who runs away from home to become a trapeze artist.

Jozo Schmuch
“Shallow Ground”
Academy of Dramatic Arts, Zagreb
Croatia
The impressive and poignant “Shallow Ground” shows war as part of a personal and collective history. Schmuch is currently developing another short called “The Second Law of Thermodynamics,” about two architects hiding their relationship from their office. He’s also seeking a producer for a feature project about a middle-aged radio-documentary director traveling through rural Croatia in search of unexplained stories after the untimely death of her teenaged son.

Hae-Sup Sin
“Half-Moon”
Zurich University of the Arts, ZHdK
Switzerland
Viewers can see Sin in a central acting role in his master’s degree graduation film “Half-Moon.” The busy Zurich-based Swiss-Korean helmer-writer’s passion is cross-cultural stories set in diasporic communities. He’s currently developing a feature with the working title “Some Korean Summer.” It’s a romance set in the Korean countryside, about a Swiss woman and Korean man who grow by learning from each other’s cultures. He also has another feature in development with the working title “The Persimmon Tree.”

André Vaara
“Sister of Mine”
Stockholm University of the Arts
Sweden
In his filmmaking, director-writer Vaara explores intimate stories about identity, gender roles and power. He is currently developing his first feature, “Beautiful Misfits,” which received a Wild Card production award from the Swedish Film Institute. The film tells the story of the tender yet destructive friendship between two 13-year-old boys who run away when they are threatened with being separated. It is produced by Erika Malmgren and Annika Hellström at Cinenic Film.