Masterclasses 

FIRST MASTERCLASS – GUEST: MIKE DOWNEY

THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT THE FIRST MASTERCLASS WAS PROMINENT INDEPENDENT PRODUCER MIKE DOWNEY, WHO MADE FILMS LIKE FALCONS, BATHORY: COUNTESS OF BLOOD OR DEATHWATCH HAPPEN.

The masterclass itself was preceded by a screening of the 2002 war drama Deathwatch. Mike Downey also had a producer role in Agnieszka Holland’s Czech-Polish film Charlatan (with iconic Czech actor Ivan Trojan in the leading role) and the Slovakian production Servants, both of which are on the 28th Prague IFF – Febiofest programme. The masterclass, run by film producer Keith Potter, was a unique opportunity for close-up learning from a prominent personality of European film.

All Masterclasses are free to attend.

SECOND MASTERCLASS – GUEST: MAHNAZ MOHAMMADI

THE SECOND MASTERCLASS WELCOMED IRANIAN FILM DIRECTOR AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVIST MAHNAZ MOHAMMADI.

Mohammadi’s debut dealt with homeless women living in a shelter. Her film Son-Mother won several awards at international festivals. Her Travelogue documentary was also highly discussed, and Mohammadi was not allowed to leave the country after its premiere. She has been imprisoned several times for her anti-regime activism. The debate, moderated by Amnesty International representatives, revolved primarily around human rights issues, but audience members were curious about her films as well. The Masterclass was held in English.

All Masterclasses are free to attend.

THIRD MASTERCLASS – GUEST: STURLA BRANDTH GRØVLEN

As part of the running bloc of healing screenings under the title Mental Hygiene, Aleš Stuchlý – a wild beast of Czech film reviewing, festival curator, moderator of the radio show Jaws and famous psychosomatician – has prepared a Masterclass with the fantastic Norwegian cinematographer Sturla Brandth Grøvlen. In the Profile: Sturla Brandth Grøvlen section, Prague IFF – Febiofest is bringing screenings of Shirley, starring Elisabeth Moss, much-lauded Heartstone, Oscar-winning Another Round, which is well-known to Czech audiences, as well as Grøvlen’s latest film, Last and First Men . The prominent cinematographer discussed his work on these films, among other topics.

All Masterclasses are free to attend.