First Crossings

Short films from the First Crossings section will take off for the sixth time as part of the Tribute to Vision cross-border film festival. The festival aims to present fresh, innovative and eclectic short films from a wide variety of genres, which aim to discover new film rumors. These are author's works in various forms, animation, video essays, art and music videos, video poetry, and other experimental forms of short films.

M O R E   S T O R I E S,   L E S S   B O R D E R S !

Official Competition

Selection in the competition program for the Jury Prize

8. 10. 2024, Kulturni dom Nova Gorica (Nova Gorica) at 17:00

10. 10. 2024, Hiša filma - Palazzo del Cinema (Gorica / Gorizia) at 17:30

Eclectic diversity is perhaps the label that most accurately describes this year's selection of short films. For the 7th edition of the "First Crossings" section and the 25th edition of the festival itself, "Tribute to a Vision," we have prepared a fresh and exciting combination of new and traditional cinematic forms. The trend of reviving classic film formats, such as 16 mm and Super 8, is utterly charming, especially for contemporary films presented through a veil of nostalgia. I am delighted that this year's selection, due to such innovative blends, turned out to be an extremely engaging mix with just the right amount of challenges, as we received a large number of such entries that embody exactly what the "First Crossings" section is dedicated to: discovering and promoting new cinematic languages. For this reason, the selection process was naturally quite demanding, but shared voices speaking similar words from different places found unusual ways to communicate with each other: all that was needed was to let go and listen carefully, so the films could effortlessly find and recognize each other. However, diversity was not only a formal characteristic of our selection but also geographical, considering the productions and nationalities of the authors, hailing from various countries such as Belgium, France, Croatia, Italy, Canada, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the genres, themes, and aesthetics were also diverse and original, further blurring the lines between fiction, animation, and documentary film. Finally, it's also worth emphasizing how the power of the short film format—especially in the case of super short films, which were numerous and truly unique this year—shines brighter than ever before, providing undeniable proof that the short film stage is, in fact, an immense playground with an all-encompassing array of cinematic sensibilities. We hope that this very eclectic diversity will contribute to even greater enjoyment and bring both the jury and our esteemed audience the true festival atmosphere.

Sandra Jovanovska

8. 10. 2024, Kulturni dom Nova Gorica (Nova Gorica) at 17:00

10. 10. 2024, Hiša filma - Palazzo del Cinema (Gorica / Gorizia) at 17:30

Youth Jury Award

8. 10. 2024, Kulturni dom Nova Gorica (Nova Gorica) at 9:00

This year, our popular audience award selection is focused on emerging filmmakers. To enhance the diversity and promotion of short films, we have decided to entrust the Audience Award to the future of cinema: enthusiastic young film lovers, our Youth Jury. We will involve young viewers in the evaluation process, as they are best positioned to recognize the pulse and innovation of short films. We have chosen films from various genres, including music videos, animations, hybrid fiction, and documentaries. Our goal is not only to promote short films but also to showcase their potential and impact on broader perceptions, encouraging new perspectives. By doing so, we aim to engage young film enthusiasts and immerse them in the exciting world of short films with enthusiasm.

Eclectic film

As we expand from the traditional cinema setting into the ancient heart of Gorizia, which has been transformed into a space of inspiration, creativity, vision, and innovation, we are thrilled to present a selection of four remarkable, thought-provoking films. Just as BorGO Cinema" symbolizes the revitalization of the city's old quarter and its change of purpose, the film selection seeks to reshape classic film viewing by immersing the audience in works that sit at the intersection of installation, experimentation, and meditation. In addition to the growing trend of reviving old, abandoned spaces and transforming them into urban, publicly accessible locations, this initiative also serves as a philosophical reflection. Through our unconventional films, we can finally establish a dialogue that emerges from the space itself and is dedicated to this fascinating phenomenon.

The installations will be on display twice daily from September 24th to October 12th, starting at 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

A selection of short films by academy students

11. 10. 2024, Hiša filma - Palazzo del Cinema (Gorica / Gorizia) at 16:00

A Selection of Student Films from AGRFT, DAMS, AU UNG & ADU

A selection of short films by high school students

11. 10. 2024, Hiša filma - Palazzo del Cinema (Gorica / Gorizia) at 10:00

A selection of short films by high school students, by Istria Film Commission

8. 10. 2024, Kulturni dom Nova Gorica (Nova Gorica) at 11:00