From paper and imagination to the big screen: Stories created by children win audiences

Instead of spending their summer holidays in front of screens, elementary school students in Slavonski Brod are immersed in the world of filmmaking. Through workshops organized by Videodružina Bezvizije, children are learning the crafts of filming, editing, drawing, and collaborative storytelling, transforming paper, colors, and imagination into captivating animated and live-action movies.

These workshops are a key component of the "Summer in Brod" program, which offers a diverse range of technical activities for children during July. Alongside filmmaking, participants can explore astronomy, diving, model making, and drone operation. This year's program also commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Croatian Association of Technical Culture.

Mladen Damjanović, secretary of the Association of Technical Culture and head of Videodružina Bezvizije, highlighted the inclusive nature of the workshops. "Talented students gladly respond to our activities because talent is developed through persistent work, practice, and nurturing inner motivation, self-confidence, and emotions. Sometimes a dose of courage is needed to take the first step," he said. No prior experience is necessary; only curiosity and a willingness to try something new are required.

The Videodružina Bezvizije, active since 2023, has fostered a strong collaboration with local schools. They have produced seven films with students from the "Antun Mihanović" Elementary School and their teacher Marija Čalušić. The Association provides professional equipment, including cameras, tripods, microphones, and editing software, enabling students to realize their cinematic visions.

Students from Gimnazija "Matija Mesić" have also contributed, with two live-action films created in partnership with Professor Sanja Šimunović. The summer workshops offer an opportunity for students from other schools, who may not have access to film education during the academic year, to engage in this creative pursuit. The animation workshops, running daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., have a decade-long track record of success, supported in the past by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre and animators from VANIMA and Videoklub Mursa.

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Talented students gladly respond to our activities because talent is developed through persistent work, practice, and nurturing inner motivation, self-confidence, and emotions. Sometimes a dose of courage is needed to take the first step.