About education

Through continuous investment in education, HFS contributes to strengthening Croatian audiovisual culture and building a community of creators, mentors, and viewers.

The goals of the educational programs are to:

• encourage critical thinking about film and other audiovisual content;
• provide theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of film and video production;
• develop creative skills;
• empower mentors and teachers working with young people;
• offer adult film enthusiasts and cinephiles the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the art, practice, and theory of film.

‍The flagship and most comprehensive educational program of HFS, the Dr. Ante Peterlić” Media Culture School, was established in 1999. It brings together participants from all over Croatia and the region, offering professional development in directing, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, and film analysis through specialized workshops and seminar lectures.

Workshops for children and youth have been held at the National Center for Technical Culture (2009–2021) in Kraljevica, as well as in multiple cities (Pula, Rijeka, Bjelovar, Križevci, etc.). Within one-day or multi-day workshops (most often during school holidays), participants have the opportunity to engage in the production of short films, learning about all stages of the process – from idea development to post-production.
Since 2007, HFS has also organized the School in the Cinema at Zagreb’s Tuškanac Cinema, intended for primary school students from the City of Zagreb, and since the 2012/2013 school year, film education for secondary school students (today titled “Film EDUcation”).

A key educational segment of HFS is the training of mentors and teachers, providing them with methodological and practical tools, as well as expert knowledge needed for working with young people. Equally important is HFS’s support for the initiation and organization of educational programs by member associations, such as the long-running International Workshop of the School of Animated Film in Čakovec, and its ongoing investment in digital tools – video lessons, interactive materials, and online workshops – to make film education accessible to all who seek it.