Tabor New Frame Film Festival 2025

Darko Rundek performs at
Tabor New Frame Film Festival Opening,
discussions on artificial intelligence
and camping next to Veliki Tabor

The Tabor New Frame Film Festival, the successor to a twenty-year tradition of short film in the unique setting of the medieval Veliki Tabor Castle, will take place on July 4–5 and will present 49 short films from 32 countries, divided into three competition categories — international, Croatian, and student — including four world premieres, one international premiere, and 22 Croatian premieres. Alongside the film program, which offers a cross-section of contemporary international and domestic production by authors up to the age of 35, the Tabor New Frame Film Festival also provides a diverse accompanying program — from creative workshops and thematic panels to concerts and gatherings under the stars — intended to show that film is not meant only to be watched, but also created, questioned, and reinterpreted in direct dialogue with the space and time in which it is made.

The festival opens its doors to young participants on Friday morning, July 4 at 10 AM, with the film workshop “Frame It Yourself: A Shot from the Legend.” Under the professional guidance of film educator Marina Buhin, participants will have the opportunity to become authors of their own short films using the camera on their mobile phones. They will learn the basics of film language, develop ideas, explore Veliki Tabor as an inexhaustible source of legends, and ultimately shoot and edit their own fiction, documentary, or experimental stories, which will then be viewed and evaluated together. The number of places is limited, and applications are accepted via an online form.

On the same day at 6:30 PM, the festival moves into the space of active dialogue with the panel discussion “Green Initiatives: Can Tabor New Frame Film Become a Green Film Festival?” The goal is to encourage discussion on how cultural events can act responsibly toward the environment — from the way festivals are organized and films produced to how we behave as audiences. Together with guests from the worlds of culture and ecology, the discussion will open an important question: is it possible to organize a festival that does not harm the environment, but instead thinks sustainably from the first frame to the last visitor?

After reflection comes well-deserved relaxation. Starting at 8 PM, the magical atmosphere of the first festival evening will be enriched by a concert by Darko Rundek, whose distinctive musical style will fill the courtyard of Veliki Tabor and serve as an introduction to the opening ceremony and film screenings.

Saturday, July 5, brings a series of encounters with creativity and technology. At 4 PM begins the workshop “Frame It Yourself: Castle Shadows – A Photo Story of the Past,” intended for anyone who wants to try visual storytelling. Inspired by the surroundings of Tabor, participants will create photo series using their own mobile phones, combining personal interpretation, light, framing, and narration. The goal of the workshop is not only to master visual technique, but to connect space, emotion, and story into a strong visual whole. The workshop is also led by Marina Buhin, the number of places is limited, and applications are accepted via an online form.

At 7:30 PM, the second panel discussion will follow, titled “Do Virtual Actors Need a Union? – or: Creativity in the Age of the All-Powerful.” In an era of increasingly present artificial intelligence and ever more realistic digital avatars, the question of authorship, identity, and labor rights in the creative industries is becoming urgent. The panel brings together experts from the fields of culture and technology to anticipate the changes ahead and to define where the line lies between tool and replacement. The introductory lecture will be given by Professor Predrag Pale from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb.

The highlight of the evening begins at 9:30 PM with the award ceremony for the best films as decided by the professional juries. This will be followed by a screening of the Best Of films from this year’s program, after which the night continues with DJ Brcki.

In cooperation with the bus company Presečki, free transportation on the route Zagreb – Desinić – Zagreb is provided for all festival visitors, with prior registration required. For those who want to fully enjoy the festival atmosphere, fall asleep to the sound of the breeze, and wake up with a view of magical nature, there is also the possibility of free camping under the stars right next to Veliki Tabor. A tent spot can be reserved via an online form.

TABOR

NEW FRAME FILM

After more than two decades of the cult Tabor Film Festival, a new chapter begins. Tabor New Frame Film Festival is an international celebration of short film, spotlighting bold filmmakers under the age of 35. Set in the spectacular surroundings of Veliki Tabor Castle, all film programs, workshops, and concerts are free of charge for all visitors.

TABOR

NEW FRAME FILM

After more than two decades of the cult Tabor Film Festival, a new chapter begins. Tabor New Frame Film Festival is an international celebration of short film, spotlighting bold filmmakers under the age of 35. Set in the spectacular surroundings of Veliki Tabor Castle, all film programs, workshops, and concerts are free of charge for all visitors.

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