Topics such as mental health, anxiety and art are the focus of young documentary filmmakers attending Teen Docs workshops as part of the UnderhillFest International Documentary Film Festival, reports PR Center.
Short documentary films prepared by high school students from Podgorica and Danilovgrad provide a space for young people to express their own experiences and reflections through film, and will be presented on June 17th, at the closing evening of the Underhill Fest.
One of the mentors of the Teen Docs workshop Ivan Cojbašić, He pointed out that the main goal of the workshop is to bring documentary film closer to young people and introduce them to the art of film that is not represented in formal education.
"Film is not studied in schools, which is why the workshop seeks to provide young people with contact with filmmaking and encourage the development of new filmmakers, directors, and film critics," he said.
About the things they want to change
Speaking about working with the participants, Čojbašić stated that mentors help young people develop their ideas into film projects. In cooperation with mentors from Montenegro and abroad, including Dejan Petrovic i David Todorovic, participants learn the basics of film directing, production, and shooting.
"We try to show them which film methods and techniques they can use to develop their stories, to communicate them in a cinematic way," said Čojbašić, adding that one of the most important lessons that the participants need to learn is the patience needed to make a film.
Čojbašić explained that mentors try to guide young people towards topics that are personally important to them, encouraging them to think about what they would like to change, record, or about people who fascinate them...
"We try to get out of them what they would like to change, what they would like to record, who the people are who fascinate them, to direct them in the direction of dealing with themselves and topics that are important to them," concluded Čojbašić.
A tool for stimulating critical thinking
Executive Director of the "Interaction" festival and one of the workshop mentors, Sladjana Petrovic-Varagic, She pointed out that documentary film can be an important tool for encouraging critical thinking and a different way of looking at the world.
"Through documentary film, young people can develop critical thinking, different thinking and a different perspective on the world around them, but also give voice through art to people and groups that we often don't notice, even though they are part of our everyday lives. In a way, film sheds light on them and allows us to hear their stories," said Petrović-Varagić.
Speaking about working with the trainees, she explained that the mentors from Underhill, including Vuk Perovic, Ivan Čojbašić, David Todorović and their associates have been introducing participants to the world of film through theoretical and practical work over the past few weeks.
Meanwhile, the participants were tasked with finding topics and making their first recordings, while during the workshop they presented the projects they were working on.
"Each team presents its project, and we provide comments and suggestions. Other participants also have the opportunity to comment, after which the teams continue to develop their ideas and record additional material," said Petrović-Varagić.
He believes that it is most important that young people understand the power of documentary film as a means that can bring certain topics closer to the audience, encourage thinking, and open up space for dialogue and connecting people.
Generation Z breaks prejudices
Expert in sustainable business and event organization at One, Jelena Rabrenović, believes that true social progress occurs the moment we stop speaking for young people and instead give them the tools to articulate their own truth.
"Documentary film is the most powerful medium for this, because it does not tolerate compromises. Young authors show us fascinating maturity through this year's Teen Docs, without shying away from difficult social topics that older people often turn a blind eye to. For the One company, giving our space to this school represents the essence of our business philosophy. Whether we are creating new digital services with them, or giving them space to dissect social problems through our lens, our approach is the same - we want to listen," said Rabrenović.
She emphasized that it is a privilege to watch how, in the One company premises, "Generation Z is breaking down prejudices, proving that they are not just passive consumers of the digital age, but courageous and aware drivers of social change."
A word from young filmmakers
Second grade student at the "Slobodan Škerović" High School Danilo Pekovic He signed up for the Teen Docs workshop on the recommendation of his English teacher, and with his team he plans to make a documentary about anxiety and the challenges his generation faces.
"We are in a kind of transitional period, we are leaving our world and entering a new one, which is why we want to make a documentary on the topic," said Peković.
He expects the workshop to teach him how a film is made and what the creative process behind each frame looks like, stating that the most interesting thing about this process is the opportunity to tell a story in a creative and interactive way.
Third grade student at the Gymnasium in Danilovgrad Elena Stankovic She applied for the Teen Docs workshop on the recommendation of her professors and friends who had participated in the program in previous years, stating that their experiences and the way they presented the workshop were an additional motivation for her to apply.
She said that she and her team would like to make a film about mental illness, a topic that she believes is very important and current.
"We believe that this is a very important topic that is being talked about a lot today, but that it can also be presented in a different, more creative way," said Stanković.
She said that she expects the workshop to provide her with new knowledge about teamwork and the filmmaking process, but also to develop creativity through filmmaking.
Second grade student at the "Slobodan Škerović" High School Simeun Barasin He said that during the workshop he expects to learn how a film is made, how teamwork works, as well as what working behind the camera and communicating with people looks like while collecting information for a documentary.
The most interesting part of filmmaking for him is direct communication with people, which is especially important in the documentary form.
"It's probably the direct communication with people that is most often needed in documentary film. I don't have any experience with that yet, so I'll just have to learn what it looks like," Barašin concluded.
Third grade student of the Philology department at the "Slobodan Škerović" Gymnasium Kira Kuzminec said that she and her team would like to make a film about the anxiety and challenges facing her generation, including issues of identity and the future.
"How difficult it is sometimes to understand who you are, where you are and what you will do in the future. I think this is a very important topic that needs to be talked about," said Kuzminec.
He believes that the most interesting aspect of film expression is the ability to tell stories through images and film, especially when it comes to topics that are difficult to express in words.
Third grade student at Danilovgrad Gymnasium Relja Djukic He said that the team he is participating in the workshop with plans to make a film about art, both in Montenegro and beyond, with a focus on artists who, as he stated, often remain less visible despite their quality.
Speaking about expectations, he emphasized that he wants to learn more about the filmmaking process, as well as the technical aspects and methods of working in film production.
"The most interesting part of the workshop is the fact that the participants are young people of the same age who are entering the filmmaking process for the first time, which gives the whole experience special value," said Đukić.
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