Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Norwegian Festivals Not to Miss in 2018 The four-day festival concludes with a glamorous award show. Photo: Erik Børresen
The festival is under patronage of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. Photo: Torbjørn Olsen
Photo: Amandus – Lillehammer International Student Film Festival
Where filmmakers are made For the past 30 years, the Amandus Festival has been the biggest and most important festival for young filmmakers in Scandinavia. When the festival kicks off for the 31st time this March, hundreds of young talents and film enthusiasts will gather in the Olympic town of Lillehammer to attend talks and workshops, discuss the opportunities of today’s film industry and, above all, celebrate the filmmakers of tomorrow. By Linn Skjei Bjørnsen
The little brother of the Amanda Film Awards, the Amandus Festival was established as a platform where young filmmakers could not only showcase their work, but also be inspired to make film. “Our vision has always been to inspire young filmmakers and help them make their way into the film industry. We want to be a place where film enthusiasm is grown and nurtured,” says festival coordinator Eivind Nordengen. The festival, which is under patronage of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit, takes place on 21-24 March and will see close to 1,000 youths, film students and industry professionals from all over the Nordics come together for four days of screenings, workshops, inspirational talks and networking, which all accumulate in the grand finale: a 72 | Issue 108 | January 2018
spectacular award show where famous Norwegian film profiles hand out prizes to the best films in an array of categories. “It is not just a film competition, but also a place for young talents to share their experiences and learn from experienced professionals about various topics in the industry. This year’s festival programme will have a special focus on gender equality. We feel a particular responsibility to encourage young female filmmakers to make their voices heard, and there will be a series of panel discussions, seminars and film screenings on the topic,” Nordengen points out. As part of the gender equality focus, Amandus has partnered with China Women’s Film Festival, Duhok International Film Festival in Iraq as well as various festivals, film schools and organisations in the Nordics to highlight the issue.
Last year, the festival got the extension Amandus – Lillehammer International Student Film Festival when it joined forces with the Norwegian Student Film Festival, and it grew from being a festival for young filmmakers under the age of 20 to encompass film students in higher education institutions. “For 2018, we have introduced a new category in addition to our traditional Junior, Youth and Student categories,” Nordengen explains. “The Open category allows unestablished filmmakers under the age of 26 from all over the world to submit their work – making the festival even more international.” The Amandus festival sees hundreds of young film enthusiasts come together to celebrate young filmmakers. Photo: Amandus - Lillehammer International Student Film Festival
Web: www.amandusfestivalen.no