Ji.hlava Academy is an educational, networking and creative platform open to emerging filmmakers, film students and aspiring film professionals in non-fiction contemporary cinema. It takes place during the Ji.hlava IDFF.

Over the course of four days, Ji.hlava Academy will offer a creative lab for those dedicated to making, reflecting upon and sharing contemporary films. The program is designed for aspiring filmmakers and future film professionals who want to push the boundaries of visual style and authorial approach, broaden their understanding of non-fiction filmmaking and become part of the creative industry.

This year, we are honored to have two distinguished tutors guiding the program: Anja Salomonowitz, an acclaimed Vienna-based film director and screenwriter, and Khavn De La Cruz, a renowned Filipino filmmaker, poet, and composer.

Under the mentorship of these experienced unorthodox tutors, the Academy program will be divided into two tracks. The first track, Practical Filmmaking, involves hands-on filmmaking sessions where participants will shoot and edit short films throughout the program under the guidance of Khavn De La Cruz. The second track led by Anja Salomonowitz, Industry Insight and Development, includes curated masterclasses, lectures, talks, and meetings with industry insiders and festival programmers.

Participants of the Ji.hlava Academy will receive a festival industry accreditation, providing full access to all industry events and festival screenings. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Ji.hlava IDFF, network with peers, and engage with leading professionals in contemporary non-fiction cinema.

The programme will be accessible only for a limited number of selected participants. The application deadline is September 15.

The 180 EUR participation fee includes access to the programme, festival industry accreditation, light lunches and accommodation for 4 nights in hostel-type shared double rooms with shared bathrooms on the floor. It does not cover travel costs.

Note: The participants of the practical filmmaking track are expected to shoot and edit a short film with their own equipment on site in Jihlava. As part of the programme, their work will be screened in one of the festival cinemas. Hence, the final export of their film should be of suitable quality for a big screen (minimum full HD) and the technical equipment they will use must correspond.

"Fairly, it was one of the most interesting and engaging workshops I have attended recently. I learned so much from Khavn and the rest of the participants. The workshop gave me the possibility to learn about an absolutely new genre for me. The haiku I made during the workshop are part of my current film project. Moreover, I plan to share this knowledge with students as a co-lecture of a documentary course next year."

Lala Alieva, Azerbaijan
Participant of Ji.hlava Academy 2020

Head tutors in 2024