The most exciting conference that brings together the film and gaming industries starts tomorrow at Algebra Bernays University, and it will last full time two days – October 2 and 3. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in numerous events panels, keynote lectures and workshops with leading national and international experts who will talk about the latest trends, creative processes and the future of the industry at the intersection of film, games and new technologies. Admission to the conference is free with registration today only at www.blendzagreb.eu.
Conference starts 2.10. at 9:00 a.m with the opening words of the conference organizer, the head of the Games Croatia project at HAVC, Benjamin N. Maričak, and the head of the Zagreb Film Office, Mia Pećine Drašković. They will be joined by Ph.D. Damir Jugo, President of the Board of Algebra Bernays University, academic partner of the conference, H.E. Mr. William De Baets, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, which is this year's partner country of the conference. At the end, Mr. Christopher P. Marcich, director of HAVC, will address everyone, while the conference will be opened by MKIM's state secretary, Mr. Krešimir Partl. Below we present the entire conference program with timetables and short descriptions of the lectures.
First day – October 2
Panel: Why does the law not recognize a producer as an author? / 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m
Discussion on the legal status of producers and their role as creative co-authors of audiovisual works.
Panelists: Danilo Šerbedžija (director, president of DHFA), Hrvoje Osvadić (producer, president of HRUP), Miljenka Čogelja (producer) and Chris Marcich (director of HAVC). The panel is moderated by Mia Pećina Drašković (producer, head of the Zagreb Film Office).
Panel: Challenges of co-productions between Croatia and Belgium / 10:30 am – 11:15 am
Experiences, obstacles and potential of cooperation between the two countries in the development and realization of films and video games
Panelists: Xavier Rombaut (producer, Belgium), NJ.E. Mr. William de Baets (Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium), Christopher P. Marcich (Director of HAVC), Youri Loedts (VAF Fund, Belgium), prof. Dries Deryckere (Howest University, Belgium). The panel is moderated by Miljenka Čogelja, producer.
Panel: Advantages and disadvantages of filming locations in Zagreb and Croatia / 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m
Practical advantages and challenges of filming in Zagreb and in locations throughout Croatia.
Panelists: John Rakich (president of the LMGI association, Canada; Shadowhunters, See, Twisted Metal), Enrico Latella (supervising location manager, Italy; Mission Impossible 7, Tenet) and Sabine Schulmeyer (location manager, Germany; The Matrix Resurrections, Constellation). The panel is moderated by Mia Pećina Drašković (Zagreb Film Office).
Panel: Creating transmedia worlds using toys, movies and video games / 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm
A panel on how film and video games connect into transmedia worlds that transcend the boundaries of individual media and open up new creative and business opportunities.
Panelists: Albert Gajšak, innovator and founder of CircuitMess; Damir Šlogar, game developer, collector and entrepreneur; Ivan Kosovec, founder of Magic Omens. Moderator: Igor Margan, Head of Computer Game Development, Algebra Bernays University
Panel: Croatian candidate for the Goya and Oscar awards: Fiume e Morte / 14:30 – 15:15
The panel will present the Croatian film "Fiume o Morte" and its candidacy for two prestigious film awards: the Spanish Goya Award and the American Oscar.
Panelists: Vanja Jambrović (producer), Tibor Kesser (producer) and Slobodanka Mišković (Art Kino Rijeka/Film Office of the City of Rijeka). The moderator of the panel is Filip Zadro, director.
Keynote: Crossing worlds: film and video games / 15:30 – 16:15
How film language and interactive media enrich the audience's experience and what awaits us in the near future
Speaker: Thierry Van Gyseghem (Bel), lead animator on the video games Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2.
Keynote: 'Fireside chat' about the film Flow / 16:30 - 17:30
The creative and technical processes that created the latest hit in animation, the Oscar-winning film Flow!
Speaker: Martins Upitis (Latvia), co-founder of Physical Addons studio and key animator of the film. The panel is moderated by Lucija Pilić, journalist and producer. The talk will be followed by a screening of the film, from 18:00 to 20:00.
Second day – October 3
Presentation: From the script to the final video, all with AI / 9:00 am - 9:45 am
The use of artificial intelligence and all its advantages in the video creation process, from the initial scenario to the final product.
Speaker: doc.art. Predrag Šuka (Algebra Bernays University)
Panel: AI in creative industries / 10:00 am – 11:00 am
The potential of artificial intelligence in the transformation of film and gaming production.
Panelists: Damir Firšt (technological strategist and consultant for AI and gamification), Vlaho Hrdalo (lawyer / Partner at Hrdalo & Krnic law office), Anđelo Jurkas (director) and Ivan Murat (director of Nanobit). The panel is moderated by doc.art. Predrag Šuka (Algebra Bernays University).
Keynote: The future of video games and film beyond the content itself / 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
What will tomorrow look like in the film and video game industry!
Speaker: Jorg Tittel (director, screenwriter, producer and designer, UK; author of the video game The Last Worker).
Keynote: Fernando Machado / 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
How creativity and creative campaigns shape global brands and video games.
Speaker: Fernando Machado (Marketing mag! Former CMO of Burger King and Activision Blizzard, two-time winner of the Adweek Grand Brand Genius Award). The panel is moderated by Lovro Belošević, public relations (Algebra Bernays University).
Panel: How virtual production is transforming independent filmmaking / 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm
New methods and tools that open up great opportunities for independent authors.
Panelist: Hrvoje Kordić (Producer, Digital kinetics), Xavier Rombaut (Producer – Polar Bear, Belgium), Basia Karpinski (virtual production specialist, Poland), Matko Burić (Producer, Antitalent) and Josip Čajić (stYpe). The panel is moderated by Benjamin Noah Maričak (Games Croatia).
Panel: How to make a world success in animation without a Hollywood budget / 15:30 – 16:15
Innovative approaches and strategies in the animation of independent productions of feature films.
Panelists: Martins Upitis, animator of the Oscar-winning film Flow (LV); Dino Krpan, producer, Diedra production; Draško Ivezić, animator, Adriatic Animation; Irena Jukić Pranjić, animator and illustrator
Moderator: Janja Pilić, producer
Panel: Transmedia conversation about video games based on series and movies:
Moomin and Paws of Fury / 16:30 – 17:30
How movies and series turn into successful video games and vice versa.
Panelist: Hrvoje Mitić (producer of the game based on the Paws of Fury animated film), Pontus Rundqvist (senior brand manager, Raw Fury, Sweden) and Dimitrije Đokić (Raw Fury). The moderator of the panel is Dunja Trojan (Broadcast.hr & GameHub TV).
Hall 2
Presentation: How to hone your skills, network and work globally in film and TV with Stage 32
Speaker: Ewan Dunbar, International Producer, Stage 32 Brand Ambassador
Moderator: Petar Vučetić, Head of the Multimedia Department, University of Vern'
Panel: And they are not even 30 yet! / 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m
Introducing talented and promising individuals who are at the beginning of their careers in the AV industry.
Directed by: Karlo Vorih, ADU + Vida Žagar, Vern; DOP: Filip Šarić, Vern; Reina Krumm; Production: Karlo Gagulić, Vern + Laura Pribanić, ADU; Game developer: Tea Stepanić + Dominik Cvetkovski + Patrik Burnić, Algebra Bernays. Moderator: Benjamin Noah Maričak, Games Croatia / HAVC
Panel: Junior / Senior / Veteran - Three perspectives on music for video games / 14:15 - 15:15
Three generations of composers share experiences creating music for games.
Panelists: Nikola Nikita Jeremić (SRB – composer for Aliens: Dark Descent, Warhammer 40k, Destiny 2, Cyberpunk 2077), Matija Malatestinić (composer and lecturer at ADU); panelist and moderator Damjan Mravunac (composer and sound designer at Croteam; Serious Sam, Talos Principle).
Panel: What happened in production after the introduction of sustainability incentives in Austria? / 15:30 – 16:15
The impact of Austria's sustainability incentives on film production and green practices has changed a lot!
Speaker: Florisse Anu Kaaripuro (director of HQ7 Studios, Austria)
The panel is moderated by Morana Ikić Komljenović (producer and sustainability expert).
Workshops
- Directing and Shooting Narrative Driven Animation – Thierry Van Gyseghem (October 2 and 3)
- How to properly include greening and sustainability in the preparation and pre-production of film projects – Morana Ikić Komljenović, producer, sustainability expert (October 2)
- Project architecture in Unity – Andrija Zorić, game developer, Unity expert (October 3)
- From a 2D image to a 3D world – Ivan Šivak, Algebra Bernays University, multimedia artist (October 3)
- Be afraid. Be very afraid. But do it. – Fernando Machado, marketing magus! (3.10.)
Additional contents
- Screenings of student films in hall 5 on both days of the conference (University of VERN and Academy of Dramatic Arts)
- Exhibition space of Croatian gaming studios in the lobby of the University (Bura, Balthazar, Dark Queen and Incubator Pismo), along with Red Bull Tetris
- Lend your voice - cartoon dubbing, open activation for visitors (3.10.)
Advisors of the Blend: Film & Games program of the film conference are: Danilo Šerbedžija, director and president of DHFA; Morana Ikić Komljenović, producer, film and media expert; Hrvoje Osvadić, producer and president of HRUP; while for the video game sector, Tea Stepanić, video game producer and designer; Hrvoje Mitić, Biz Dev at GamesCo London and secretary at the Cluster of Croatian Video Game Producers (CGDA) and Juraj Hrvoje Krašković, producer at video game publisher Raw Fury and artistic advisor at the Croatian Audiovisual Center (HAVC).
The Blend conference is organized by the Zagreb Film Office and Games Croatia (HAVC) and academic partner Algebra Bernays University, with the support of the City Office for Culture and Civil Society and with the support of film and gaming associations.
