Georgian director Dea Kulumbegashvili will serve as the mentor for Future Frames, a program that boosts 10 up-and-coming European filmmakers at Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland will deliver a keynote speech during the program, which is organized by European Film Promotion and the festival.
In a private masterclass, Kulumbegashvili will give the filmmakers an insight into her professional journey from making two successful short films to her recent second feature film, “April.” The drama about female independence competed at the 2024 Venice Film Festival where it received the Special Jury Prize.
Kulumbegashvili, who was born and raised in Georgia, studied directing at Columbia University. Following two acclaimed and award-winning short films (“Invisible Spaces,” 2014, and “Lethe,” 2016), her feature debut, “Beginning” (2020), premiered in Toronto, winning the Fipresci Prize. The film also took home the Silver Seashell Jury Prize and the Golden Seashell at the San Sebastián Film Festival.
Another highlight of the program is the keynote speech by Holland, who will share experiences from her career. She was Oscar nominated for “Europa Europa” in 1992, and “In Darkness” was Oscar nominated in 2012. Holland’s most recent film, “Green Border,” competed at the 2023 Venice Film Festival and won the Special Jury Prize.
The masterclass and keynote are part of the industry program for this year’s edition of Future Frames. Supported by Creative Europe – the MEDIA Program of the European Union, and presented in cooperation with KVFF and its partner Allwyn, the initiative also includes sessions with KVFF programmers and one-on-one meetings with representatives from UTA and Range Media Partners. The industry experts will provide feedback and guidance to the participants—and will later select one director for an Allwyn scholarship and professional development trip to Los Angeles.
Future Frames also includes public screenings of the filmmaker’s short films.
Anna Korinek, KVFF’s program coordinator and curator of the program, said: “This year’s selection highlights the strength and promise of a new generation of European filmmakers. The selected films stood out for their creativity, thoughtful storytelling, and distinctive perspectives. We’re pleased to present 10 compelling student works that reflect the evolving voice of young European cinema. Now in its 11th year, the program is beginning to show its long-term impact, with alumni stepping confidently into their professional careers — a testament to the strength and relevance of this initiative.”
Sonja Heinen, managing director of EFP, said: “EFP Future Frames offers young directors real opportunities to be seen, to grow and to connect internationally. Welcoming Agnieszka Holland and Dea Kulumbegashvili this year as part of the program is a special honor. Their experience and voices in European cinema are a great source of inspiration.”
Pavel Turek, chief officer of global partnerships at Allwyn, said: “Supporting emerging talent is at the core of our mission. We are thrilled to once again welcome the next generation of visionary directors to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival through this year’s Future Frames initiative, in partnership with UTA and Range Media. We are also proud to continue our tradition of awarding a month-long scholarship to Los Angeles to this year’s winner, offering them the invaluable opportunity to work alongside some of Hollywood’s finest. Initiatives like these reflect our deep and ongoing commitment to nurturing creative talent through the power of film.”