Call for an International Group of Young Programmers 18+ at the Kino Otok – Isola Cinema International Film Festival

High school and university students aged between 18 and 26 years are invited to experience the 22nd edition of Kino Otok – Isola Cinema International Film Festival as part of the festival team in the role of young film programmers. Between 10 and 14 June 2026, the international group will watch several festival films in Izola and select one to be included in the summer travelling Cinema Istria programme, organised by Otok Institute. No previous experience is required, and applications are open until 29 May!

During the Kino Otok festival in Izola, members of the international group of young programmers will watch several festival films, engage in in-depth discussions with their mentors and share critical reflections. Guest filmmakers will offer first-hand insight into their creative processes. The films will be approached as comprehensively as possible – as works of art and creative expression, but also as a means and starting point for understanding society and the world more deeply. On the last day of the festival, the group will select one of the viewed films to be included in Cinema Istria, the summer touring cinema programme that brings films to places without cinemas across Slovenian Istria.

What we expect from the young film programmers: presence in Izola between 10 and 14 June, attendance at the selected film screenings at festival venues in Izola, participation in discussions with mentors and filmmakers, selection of one film, preparation of a presentation text and other promotional materials as agreed, and presentation of the selected film to the audience at a Cinema Istria screening.

What we offer: free participation and festival accreditation granting access to all Kino Otok screenings in Izola, mentorship, insight into the festival behind the scenes, and the possibility of accommodation in the festival camp. Participants will also become part of the Young4Film European festival network, gaining opportunities to take part in future international activities.

Participation is free of charge. Applications are open until Friday, 29 May, via the online application form. Activities will take place in English and the number of participants is limited, so early applications are recommended. For more information, please contact ana.cerar@isolacinema.org.

The activities of the young programmers are organised as part of the Young Programmers for Young Audiences! European Film Festival Network (Young4Film), supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA programme and implemented at film festivals in six European countries.