10/05/2018 - The educational section of the Espinho-based festival (18-25 June) will host masterclasses by Stephan Elliot, David Seidler, Gabriella Cristiani and Roman Coppola

On its way to the 14th edition, FEST - New Directors | New Films Festival (18-25 June), set in Espinho, a beach town just below Porto, has a very clear goal: to be a stepping stone to up-and-coming filmmakers’ careers by helping them connect and understand the industry.

As usual, the educational section of the festival, Training Ground, hosts a very diversified set of masterclasses and workshops led by around 25 industry speakers. Already confirmed as guest speakers for the 2018 edition of Training Ground, are for the first-time in the event, Stephan Elliot, the celebrated director and writer of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994); the screenwriter David Seidler whose script for The King's Speech [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Tom Hooper
film profile] (2010) won the Oscar and BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay; Gabriella Cristiani, the experienced italian editor, whose astonishing work on Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor back in 1987 earned her the Academy Award for Best Edition; Roman Coppola, the famous director, producer and screenwriter whose talent was proven in several major solid hits such as Moonrise Kingdom (2012) and the recently released and highly acclaimed Isle of Dogs [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] (2018), both Wes Anderson’s productions.

Promoting networking between participants and guest speakers in a very informal and relaxed environment is also one of the objectives. Through very simple and spontaneous mechanisms like Industry Meetings - which allows participants a 15 minute one-on-one meeting with a speakers of their choice - or the Filmmakers’ Corner - where they can simply book a slot on a dedicated screening room and present their work - participants are invited to exchange opinions, experiences and stories.

Registrations are open here until 31 May. The registration that normally costs €69.99, is available for €57.99 as part of a 40 hour campaign, ending on 11 May at 24h00.

For more information visit www.fest.pt.