Association UKUS, the initiator of REFINERI platform for support and development of original hybrid AV projects that cross the boundaries of traditional film practices, is seeking for six to eight original artist projects, Croatian and foreign, that will be developed during the first session of the platform, from 23rd to 27th April in Rijeka, it was announced at today’s press conference in Art-kino Croatia in Rijeka.

The authors invited to join the REFINERI platform are the filmmakers, fine art and audio-visual artists with a good original idea, independent of the education. They will have the opportunity to learn from, and hang out with cult Croatian director Lordan Zafranović, then with the recent winner of the Tagesspiegela readers award at the Berlinale Peter Kerekeš, with the Franco-Belgian play righter, musical artist and cultural activist Guillaume Maupin, and with directors and new media artists, initiators of REFINERI platform, Željka Suková and Aleš Suk.

Platform includes a yearlong consulting, mentoring and presentation, finalization and distribution of original projects. The working methods are workshops, consultations, “1on1” tutoring, film screenings, master classes and events.

Željka Sukova and Aleš Suk presented the terms of the call, the deadline for applications (March 28th 2014) and pointed out that the selection will primarily have in focus the concept, the author’s vision, originality and innovative approach.

They also explained that the REFINERI 2014 is divided into three sessions which, with reference to the meaning of the word Refineri (refining), are called “Combing”, “Washing” and “Haircutting”.

The first session , “Combing” of the projects, will be held in April. The second (“Washing”) will be held from 21st to 26th July, and within it the four selected participants will have the opportunity to work within the international workshop for the development of documentary film Ex Oriente Film, organized by the Institute of documentary film (IDF) from Prague, while the third session, “Haircut” is held for only two projects, in November. The intention is through these three cycles to go through a phase of pre-production, production and post-production of the projects that will, preferably, be completed by the end of the year.

Art-kino Croatia will host the first session in its Art-kino Lab, as the director of Public Institution Art-kino Croatia in Rijeka Slobodanka Mišković said .

Like in 2013, when the Ex Oriente Film workshop was held in Rijeka for the first time and was visited by a number of important authors and professionals from the world of film, so will this year the Ex Oriente + REFINERI host some popular and interesting tutors. The list is not closed yet, but we can mention that among the tutors are Mads Mikkelsen – selector of the Festival CPH : DOX and founder of Ideal Cinematheque in Denmark, than Chi – hui Yang – the writer, film selector and curator of the New York’s MOMA, or the Czech director and producer Philip Remunda.

REFINERI’s part of the program will be opened to the broad public as well, with film screenings, exhibitions and master classes. One of the most interesting announcements in this regard is the exhibition of fine arts and film artist Šejla Kamerić, winner of many awards whose work is included in important museums of the world. She will have an exhibition in July at the Gallery Kortil in Rijeka, it was announced at the press conference.