The Slovenian Film Center summarizes the activities in 2022 and announces the plans for this year
– The institution shared information about its past and future activities, from the successes of Slovenian cinema at home and abroad in 2022 to filming, distribution and festival schedules for 2023.
Nataša Bučar, director of the Slovenian Film Center, during the press conference (© Katja Goljat)
The annual press conference he organizes Slovenian Film Center (SFC) was held in Ljubljana on Thursday, January 26. The main topics were activities and achievements in 2022 and plans for 2023, which seem even more ambitious due to the increase in film funding. Other highlights included the biggest earnings in Slovenia since the country’s independence and clear signs that a new generation of female filmmakers is on the rise.
During the 2022 calls for submissions, the SFC awarded support to seven feature films, two full-length documentaries, three short feature films and four animated shorts. Seven live features backed by a total of €3.745 million were White washing in the nineties (direction Marko Naberšnik and produces Perf), 20 meters (direction Damjan Kozolestaged dizziness), FC Svoboda (direction Boris Petkovicproduces Iridium Film), Girl of the night (direction Luka Marchetičstaged Temporama), Stories about Frumets and monsters (direction Gregor Božičproduces Rhinos), Tartini’s key (direction Vinci Vogue Anžlovarstaged Blade production) and Hi Bela (direction Jani Severproduces North & North). The two feature-length documentaries that secured SFC support of €270,000 (in total) are Emma Kugler‘s It was once in the Soča valley (production of Zank Institute) and Damjan Kozolet WOW (produced by Vertigo). Three live feature films and four short animated films will be financed with €150,000 and €123,700, respectively.
In addition, in 2022, the production of five feature films, one feature-length documentary feature film, one short documentary and one episode of a TV series used the cash rebate option. Foreign productions spent more than 11 million euros in Slovenia, and received a little less than 2.8 million euros with regression.
2022 was also a successful year for Slovenian cinemas, which recorded a sharp increase in attendance. Last year, a total of 1.76 million tickets were sold to spectators, which is a new record and also represents a 150% increase compared to the previous year (the total attendance in 2021 was around 710,000, which was also considered to be some recovery from the low numbers in 2020, with attendance below 550,000). What’s more, two additional records: domestic films were seen in 307,776 cinemas, and the share of Slovenian films in domestic box offices reached 17.49%. Although the data on the latter achievement is not final, we can assume that the record will not be challenged, since the previous market share from 2013 was less than 10%.
director of the SFC, Nataša Bučar, highlighted the current successes of Slovenian cinematography and its filmmakers: “The most successful year of Slovenian cinema is behind us. It was a record both for the number of viewers in Slovenian cinemas and for international successes, including the European Film Award for a short film. Grandma’s sex life the author Urška Djukić. As far as efforts to attract foreign productions to Slovenia are concerned, 2022 was also a turning point, as the filming of Netflix’s Union, the largest foreign production in Slovenia so far, took place in Piran.” Bučar also said that in 2023, the SFC will have significantly increased funds available for national film production. “I am convinced that Slovenian film is in excellent shape and on the right track,” she added.
In 2023, 11 feature films (including four debuts) and four short feature films are expected to be shot. The list includes the films of Anžlovar, Sever, Petkovič and Božič, as well as the feature debut. Little Trouble Girls (directed by Urška Djukić, production SPOK films), debut Fantasy (direction Katarina Rešek-Kuklastaged in December), debut Not even a voice (direction Ester Ivakičproduction by Temporama), block 5 (direction Klemen Dvornikproduces Atalanta), Everything that’s wrong with you (direction Urša Menartproduction Vertigo), debut It’s a robbery! (direction Gregor AndolšekTemporama production) and title The prodigal son (direction Darko Štantestaged Staragara). Shorts with helmet Gaja Moderndorfer, Matjaž Jamnik and Gaja Naja Rodec, Filip Jembrichand Stamp Vircsupported by SFC, should also begin principal photography next year.
Regarding national distribution plans for 2023, two films, Miha Vipotnik‘s A broken piano and Anžlovar’s Vinci Vogue Grandfather goes south [+see also:
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interview: Marko Šantić
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film profile], Robert Cherneičtrial address A birder, Igor Šterk‘s A fool, Nejc Gazvoda‘s A role model and Stamp Virc‘s The last hero. In addition, six feature-documentary films (Haidy Chancellor‘s A fluttering dream, Damjan Kozole‘s A pen, Miha Čelar‘s Cannabis will set you free, Petra Seliškar‘s The body, A table directing Neli Maražand Maja Doroteja Preloghis debut Cent’anni) will be presented to a wider Slovenian audience, and the same is expected for 21 short feature films, documentaries and animated films.
In 2023, SFC and its partners will continue work on projects already underway, such as retrospectives of Slovenian films abroad, Our films at home, Premiere of Slovenian films, Database of Slovenian filmsso-called The script, ABC script and Documentary workshops, Podcast Filmaria, Incubator and a new project entitled Short Scene. Even the 26th Slovenian Film Festival will take place from 3 to 8 October 2023 in Portorož.