The upcoming edition of the Zagreb Film Festival will be held 6-12 November 2023. Once again, as part of the Industry program, the festival will feature a platform for education, collaboration, and networking among film professionals in the region.

Applications are now open for the workshop “My First Script,” which is part of the ZFF Industry program. This workshop is specifically designed for filmmakers who are in the process of preparing a screenplay for their debut feature film. The deadline for applications is 20 July 2023.

Among the received applications, a total of six participants will be selected to attend the workshop. This includes two participants from Croatia and four from other European countries, including those from the Media Sub-programme member states (Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, and Turkey). The workshop will take place during the 21^st edition of the Zagreb Film Festival.

The aim of the workshop is to assist young authors in developing screenplays for their debut feature films, under the guidance of two script doctors. Through an intensive program of practical work, with a strong emphasis on group collaboration and addressing problematic aspects, the workshop strives to create a relaxed working atmosphere where young colleagues can successfully complete their screenwriting projects.

The workshop is free for all participants, and accommodation and travel expenses will be covered for international participants.

Interested candidates should submit an application that includes the following:

1. Brief biography with personal details

2. Synopsis

3. Screenplay or treatment, along with a minimum of 3 developed scenes

Projects from Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro may be submitted in their native languages, but if selected, project authors must prepare an English translation by mid-October.

Application deadline: 20 July 2023.

Please submit your applications to: infoindustry@zagrebfilmfestival.com.

The competition results will be announced at the beginning of September 2023.

The workshop is co-organized by ZFF and the Croatian Film Directors’ Guild (DHFR). Over the past ten editions of the workshop, a total of 60 projects from various European countries have participated, including 22 projects by Croatian authors that are well on their way to realization.

We wish all the luck to projects in the production and post-production stages, and we eagerly anticipate the upcoming submissions for the 11^th edition of the “My First Script” workshop.

The festival is supported by the Zagreb City Office for Culture, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, MEDIA Sub-programme of the Creative Europe Programme, Kultura nova Foundation, and Zagreb Tourist Board.

The festival is organized by the Zagreb Film Festival Art Organization.