Mastering the Narrative: "Easy to Be Young?" Film Festival Announces International Masterclass Series
Alongside the competition screenings of the "Easy to Be Young?" International Student Short Film Festival, a series of masterclasses will take place from March 12 to 14 at the Latvian Academy of Culture (LAC) National Film School (Miera iela 58a). Renowned directors from Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania will share practical insights into visionary filmmaking, screenwriting processes, and current industry trends.
The series opens on March 12 at 11:00 with a masterclass by European Film Academy Award-nominated director Lauris Ābele. His feature-length animated film Dog of God is currently achieving both national and international acclaim. Ābele will discuss the strategic importance of the short film format within the industry. The session will feature a screening of his Tampere Film Festival-winning short Castratus the Boar, followed by an analysis of the path to international success and how a strong festival run can define a filmmaker's future career.
On March 13 at 10:00, European Film Academy Award winner Anna Hints (Estonia) will take the stage. Her documentary Smoke Sauna Sisterhood became a global phenomenon, while her latest short film, Sauna Day, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Hints' masterclass will focus on visionary thematic research and the dynamics of a professional director-producer partnership when navigating both short and feature-length formats.
The program concludes on March 14 at 10:00 with Lithuanian director and screenwriter Titas Laucius, offering a practical perspective on one of the most challenging elements of screenwriting: dialogue. In this masterclass, Laucius will reveal his personal methodology for crafting scenes with multiple characters. Through the analysis of both short and feature film excerpts, he will address key creative questions: what should characters talk about, how to initiate a conversation on screen, and when is the right time for silence?
Practical Information
The masterclasses will be held in English at the LAC National Film School. They are open to festival participants, film industry professionals, and the public free of charge. Participants who wish to receive a professional development certificate can do so for a fee of 35 EUR. Registration: Please fill out the registration form.
Full Program & Screenings: lka.edu.lv
Tickets: splendidpalace.lv
Updates: Follow us on Instagram @filmu_skola
Festival Supporters: State Culture Capital Foundation (VKKF), Splendid Palace, Go3 Television, SIA “BBRental”, SIA “BBPostHouse”, Valmiermuiža Brewery.