A six-day intensive workshop of short films production, blending practical skills with an immersive experience in storytelling, teamwork, and technical execution. The workshop is conducted in English, a conscious step towards international collaboration, transnational storytelling, and cross-cultural creativity.
Curriculum fit
Art and Culture: Art and Film Education
- understanding the content of visual, film art, and audiovisual works and culture
- support self-actualisation, the perception of visual art, and understanding the creative process
Personal and Social Education: Personal, Social, and Ethical Development
- develop social and emotional skills and good interpersonal relationships
- support self-discovery
Civic Studies: Society and the Self
- develop knowledge of historical, social, and cultural aspects of people’s lives in their diversity, variability, and interconnectedness
About the activity
This unique educational event introduces young participants to the art of filmmaking. The workshop focuses on creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning under the guidance of professional mentors. It guides participants through the process of making a short film—from concept to completion. Along the way, they will experience the full range of emotions that come with creative collaboration. The workshop does not promise a seamless or easy ride; rather, it offers a set of core values that shape the the content of the workshop as well as the the approach to teaching and learning.
The workshop promotes sustainable filmmaking and encourages participants to be mindful of their environmental footprint throughout the film production process. Whether it’s considering how to reduce waste on set, making eco-friendly choices in locations and materials, or weaving environmental consciousness into their stories, participants are taught to think about their impact on the planet as filmmakers.
For information about the workshop fee and what is included, see nuff.no/workshop.
What participants gain
- creative growth
- collaborative learning
- development of technical and soft skills
- experience of having worked through a complex creative process
- personal and creative insights
- creative collaboration
- develop resilience
- teamwork
- problem-solving skills
- process-oriented approach
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What educators gain
text
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Resources
Venue requirements
- a <b>cinema</b>: with a bit of imagination, any venue can become a makeshift cinema
- a dedicated space for workshops
- an area for refreshments or snacks
- a support space for workshop tutors
Technology
- screening equipment (if unavailable, try reaching out to a local cinema or civic centre that might have equipment to lend)
- laptops with editing software (e.g., CapCut, DaVinci Resolve)
- USB flash drives
Supplies
- films for screening
- various workshop materials, such as videos for editing practice, storyboard templates, writing tools
Step by Step
Implementation
(6 days)
(6 days)
- Day One: Orientation and Team Building
Create a sense of community, introduce participants to mentors, and establish a group dynamics. Focus on introductions, goodie bag distribution, common dinner to encourage getting to know one another, team formation and mentor assignment. The participants are divided into groups with a maximum of 4–6 persons per group. There are usually 5 to 6 groups. Each group will have a professional filmmaker working in the film-industry as mentor. - Day Two: Inspiration and Conceptualisation
Encourage creative thinking, kickstart ideas, and introduce participants to the city or village where the workshop takes place: for example, go out and have an informal networking and team-building session, as well as masterclasses led by mentors, focusing on storytelling, brainstorming techniques, and filmmaking fundamentals. First scriptwriting sessions can take place in the afternoon. - Day Three: Pitching and Script Polishing
Develop film concepts, receive professional feedback and refine story ideas. Organize a script pitch event in the evening where each team presents their film concept. Mentors and peers provide live feedback. Based on this feedback script is refined to ensure a clear narrative direction. - Days 4 & 5: Production
The film production takes place through a combination of teamwork, creativity, and technical skill. Focus on activities such as intensive work on script finalisation, production planning, shooting, and sound design. Teams work together with the guidance of their mentors, rotating through different roles if necessary to develop a comprehensive understanding of each aspect of production. Mentors provide daily feedback, encouraging problem-solving and adaptability on set. - Day Six: Editing and Music
Complete the post-production process and prepare films for the final screening. Teams focus on editing, sound mixing, and finalizing their projects with the help of mentors. Music composition or selection is finalized. Final touches are made to ensure the film is ready for submission by 10am on Friday.
Evaluation
(1 day)
(1 day)
Final Screenings and Reflection
The goal of the seventh day of the workshop is to celebrate participants’ work, encourage reflection, and offer public recognition. Organise a public screening of all workshop films. Each group participates in a brief Q&A, reflecting on their experiences and answering audience questions. Than you can organise a closing ceremony and celebration of the participants’ achievements.
Films to watch
My Name is Edgar and I Have a Cow
Director:
Filip Diviak
Country:
Czech Republic, Slovakia
Year:
2023
Length:
7 mins
Make it accessible for all
- Diversity
The workshop celebrates diversity, bringing together participants from around the world to share stories from different cultural, social, and personal backgrounds. This international focus not only enriches the participants’ experience but also prepares them for the future of filmmaking, where cross-border collaborations are increasingly important. - Inclusivity
Inclusivity is central to the workshop, with a strong emphasis on creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for everyone involved. Specific focus areas include gender identity awareness, active kindness and care, mental health awareness, and environmental impact awareness. All participants are encouraged to explore gender dynamics and be mindful of their roles and responsibilities in promoting equality. The workshop is designed to be inclusive of all gender identities, ensuring that every individual feels respected and valued. The atmosphere is one of mutual support and kindness. Team members, mentors, and staff are encouraged to actively care for each other’s well-being to keep the environment collaborative and positive. Filmmaking, particularly under time pressure, can be intense and the workshop should remain a compassionate space throughout. - Process-Oriented Approach
While the final film screening is an exciting culmination, the workshop emphasises the creative process rather than just the finished product. Participants are encouraged to make mistakes and learn from them, with mentors reinforcing that the journey is just as important as the result. This is why no prior professional filmmaking experience is required. Participants apply through a questionnaire and are selected based on their enthusiasm for film, where even minimal experience—such as shooting a short film on a phone or being involved in a school project—is enough. This mix of skill levels ensures that each participant contributes meaningfully to their team while learning from others.
Thoughts & Experience
“It broadened my knowledge, inspired new activities and explorations.”
Participant of Film Camp for Educators in Zwierzyniec2024 
“It was a very interesting experience receiving the film through the body and focusing on one's emotions coming out of the body.”
Participant of Film Camp for Educators in Zwierzyniec2024 
FOR ORGANIZATIONS
What organisations gain
- strengthen your specialised platform for youth film education;
- increase awareness of the value of audiovisual literacy;
- use films created by participants as examples in future workshops or educational programmes.
Team requirements
- coordinator
- programmer
- technician
- PR and Social Media Specialist
Funding tips
- internal resources
- grants and subsidies, e.g., Czech Ministry of Culture, local municipalities, EU programmes, foundations and non-profit organizations
- sponsors and corporate partnerships
- collaboration with municipalities
- crowdfunding campaigns
Promotion tips
- Use social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Use visually appealing content for online promotion, with short videos from previous workshops, short clips from the films or behind-the-scenes fun facts that would appeal to young audiences.
- Engage parents by emphasising the program’s value in developing children’s critical thinking and creative skills.
- Highlight the educational value to teachers and school principals. It is essential to establish direct contact with them and create promotional materials that clearly demonstrate how the project enhances students’ learning experience.
- Partner with community centres, film festivals, and interest groups.
- Reach out to participants in various regions to ensure greater diversity and foster an exchange of opinions.
Find your audience
Participants don’t need prior filmmaking experience but should enjoy the film medium and a be willing to engage in creative and analytical activities. The project day can be organised in two formats based on focus and target group:
In schools:
- Work with an entire class or selected students within a specific age group.
- Motivate students and other teachers to get involved in the project day.
- Include preliminary activities related to art (e.g., literature, art class) and connect them to the film project day.
As an extracurricular activity:
- Select participants through an open call that prioritises applications from passionate film enthusiasts. The open call can involve sections such as headline and subtitle, target group, what the participants can expect, why they want to participate, date and location of the event and information about registration.
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