Support of talent development and professional perspectives of audiovisual graduates
Program
Thursday November 27
| 9.00-10.00 | Registration, Studio FAMU Lounge |
| 10.00-12.00 | Block 1, Studio FAMU, screening room |
| * Opening speech, David Čeněk, dean FAMU * Keynote speech: Hanna Maylett: “Learning to Dive, Not to Drown: Building Resilience through the Professional Practices Course”, Aalto University, Finland * Benjamin Freidenberg: “Philanthropy as a Creative Engine – Building Sustainable Bridges Between Film Schools, Industry and Society”, Sam Spiegel Film and Television School * Barry Dignam: “ENGAGE – A Case Study”, IADT, Ireland * Panel | |
| 12.00-14.00 | Lunch: Restaurace a kavárna Tobruk, Lodecká 1184, 110 00 Praha 1 https://www.kavarnatobruk.cz https://share.google/3XTEOLz58wX6B8wIP |
| 14.00-16.00 | Block 2, Studio FAMU, screening room |
* Lorenzo D’Amico De Carvalho: “In-house feature production: pros and cons”, Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia – Scuola Nazionale di Cinema, Italy * Jakub Gejdoš: “Connecting with industry and aiming for a debut”, VŠMU, Slovakia * Zsuzsanna Vincze and Tibor Banoczki: “Perspective of animation”, MOME, Hungary * Panel | |
| 16.00-16.30 | Coffee Break, Studio FAMU Lounge |
| 16.30-17.30 | Studio FAMU Guided Tour, Lenka Medová, Production department |
| 19.30 | Dinner: Pivovar Národní, Národní 8, 110 00 Nové Město http://www.pivovarnarodni.eu https://share.google/WcuQbuXC3kkzdVGAg |
Friday November 28
| 9.00-11.00 | Block 3, Studio FAMU, screening room |
| * Short summary of Day 1, Vít Schmarc * Midpoint: Introduction * Screening (Gone, Piotr Jasiński) * Midpoint: Case study 1, Piotr Jasiński, Ester Valtrová * Midpoint: Case study 2, Kryštof Burda * Panel | |
| 11.00-11.30 | Coffee Break, Studio FAMU Lounge |
| 11.30-13.00 | Block 4, Studio FAMU, screening room |
| * Véronica Diaz: “Boosting talent at ECAM”, Spain * Vít Schmarc: “Close Encounters of the Content Kind: When Film Education Meets the TV Industry”, FAMU, Czechia * Christian Checa Bañuz,”BASS, an interdisciplinary approach to artistic creation”, Spain * Panel | |
| 13.00-13.20 | Coffee Break, Studio FAMU Lounge |
| 13.20-14.00 | Final plenary discussion Studio FAMU, screening room |
| Wrap |
Venue: Studio FAMU, Prague, Klimentská 1205, 110 00, Czech Republic
Graduating from film school and completing a graduate film represent only the initial major professional challenges that emerging filmmakers encounter. Within the context of the audiovisual industry and the substantial financial demands associated with producing a debut feature film, graduates face considerable pressure. Will they be able to withstand the often years-long process of project development, repeated grant applications, and the search for adequate funding to realize their vision? Or will they be compelled to make professional compromises that may ultimately undermine their artistic integrity?
What role can audiovisual universities play in helping their graduates navigate this challenging transition? What proven and effective support mechanisms can they offer to talented young filmmakers? How can institutions provide a supportive environment for the critical phase of project development—an aspect frequently emphasized in various industry analyses? Moreover, is there potential for collaboration among universities to, for instance, increase the co-production opportunities available to their alumni?
The objective of the symposium is to examine these specific challenges, exchange experiences, share visions, and identify best practices that can positively influence the future of the audiovisual field—particularly in terms of retaining emerging talent and improving their career prospects. The event will bring together students to share their experiences, representatives from film schools with diverse pedagogical approaches, and stakeholders from organizations actively engaged in developing frameworks to support the integration of audiovisual graduates into the professional industry.
Target audience: GEECT/CILECT member schools/department representatives and students
The symposium is free of charge and includes lunches and dinners. The participants are responsible for their travel and accommodation costs.
Please register before 20-11-2025: Thank you!
Suggested hotels and prices (check-in Nov. 26, check-out Nov. 28)
Hotel Clement Prague
Reserved accommodation for symposium participants. Limited capacity.
Address: Klimentská 30, 110 00 Prague 1
Please contact reservations@hotelclement.cz directly and mention GEECT261125 when making the reservation.
EUR 105 – Standard room, single use / night, breakfast included
EUR 110 – Comfort room, single use / night, breakfast included
EUR 120 – Superior room, single use / night, breakfast included
Additional cost for a second person in the room: EUR 8 per night.
City tax: CZK 50 per person / night
Payment terms: online or by bank transfer, 3 days prior to arrival
Cancellation policy: free cancellation until 23 November 2025; later cancellations or no-shows will be charged 100% of the reservation
Reservation deadline: 1 November 2025
Hotel Apartments Embassy
Reserved accommodation for symposium participants. Limited capacity.
Address: Tržiště 18, 118 00 Prague 1
https://www.apartmentsembassy.cz/en
Please contact Mr. Cikrt (jcikrt@lhhotels.cz) directly and mention GEECT symposium when making the reservation.
EUR 79 – Standard room, single use / night, breakfast and city tax included
EUR 85 – Standard double room / night, breakfast and city tax included
Superior room and junior suite available at an additional cost of EUR 10 per room / night.
Payment terms: by 11 November 2025
Cancellation policy: free cancellation until 11 November 2025
Reservation deadline: 15 October 2025
Mama Shelter Prague
No rooms reserved for symposium participants.
Address: Veletržní 1502/20, 170 00 Prague
https://mamashelter.com/prague/
15% discount on the list price. Please contact prague@mamashelter.com directly and mention code GEECT25 when making the reservation.
geect.org 