＜Report＞Swiss U-30 film festival Jugend Filmtage talent camp experience
In March 2025, the 49th edition of Jugend Filmtage, an international film festival for young filmmakers (for those under 30), was held in Zurich, Switzerland, with the screening of seven short films recommended by SSFF & ASIA and a Talent Camp, a five-day workshop for creators from European countries.
As the festival’s focus this year was on Japan, Izumo Kawabe, winner of the Best Short Award of SSFF & ASIA 2024 U-25 category, was invited to attend the Talent Camp. We asked him about his experience and his impressions after the camp.
●How many people from what countries attended this camp?
There were approximately 20 participants at the camp. The participants came from many different countries, mainly from Europe.
● What was the age range?
The youngest participant was 18 years old and many were in their mid-20s.
● What was your experience at the camp?
Each day, lectures were given by lecturers from different areas of the film industry. For example, the writing lecturers used Breaking Bad as a subject, explaining the basic structure and ‘triggers’ of the story, as well as talking about how they work together in a team as writers on a large series.
There were also lectures by a producer promoting sustainable filmmaking and a director whose documentary on gender discrimination was shortlisted for the Berlin International Film Festival and the Academy Awards.
Particularly memorable was a lecture by French digital filmmaker Loïc. He makes films using digital technology that express his own relationship with the internet, and his lecture gave me the opportunity to expand my own range of expression. I also learnt about the financing mechanisms in European film production through the story of French photographer Laurent, with whom he is a mutual acquaintance.
In Europe (especially France), in particular, I noticed that cinema is not just an entertainment business, but is seen as ‘art’, and the idea that it is an essential part of human life is deeply rooted in the country. In many cases, artists’ living and production costs are supported by the state, in contrast to the American view that “film = business”. In the US, there are many classes on how to raise funds, which I feel is important, but I was reminded that the European approach to art is also interesting.
● Were there any activities outside the classroom?
Although we didn’t have the opportunity to actually film or produce, networking with young European film professionals was a great benefit. During the pitch competition and the opening and closing events, we were able to meet and exchange contacts with film professionals not only from Switzerland but also from other European countries.
Especially at film festivals, there are few opportunities to meet other creators of the same generation, but this time the focus was on the younger generation, so it was a valuable experience to be able to talk about the future with students of the same generation attending a renowned film school in Switzerland. I think the most important outcome of the camp was that I made friends that I can rely on if I ever have the opportunity to shoot in Europe.
● Are there any difficulties during the camp?
There were no major difficulties. Valentina, the programme director, and Sam, who was in charge of running the camp, were very helpful and supportive from the moment I arrived, which allowed me to concentrate on the workshop.
●Japan was the Focus country of the festival this year, were you asked any questions or asked for your opinion in this regard?
When I spoke to Valentina, I was told that this was the first year that we had a non-European country as a Focus country, and I was honoured to be invited to the occasion. I did not receive any specific questions because I was from Focus country Japan, but the exchange of ideas about the film industry was very useful. In addition, I was also able to meet with many people from other countries.
I have experienced on film shoooting in many different countries, including Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and the USA, so I have been asked, ‘How is it different comparing to Europe?’ I was often asked for my opinion. In Europe, it is common for people to go across borders, and in this point the filmmaking environment is different. My film “Mother’s Receipe” depicts the differences between the Japanese and Singaporean environments, and I was very happy that it resonated with the European audience as well.
● Were there any discoveries or gains made through the camp?
The biggest gain was the networking with other filmmakers of my generation. I find it most meaningful that we were able to discuss our dreams and goals not only in formal settings, but also in casual moments such as going to the bar, chatting in the room or going to McDonald’s.
We also had the opportunity to watch many European short films. What I noticed was that many of the European films were more artistic and focused more on the theme or message of the film rather than on the twist or drama of the story.
●What are you currently studying, what are your future goals and dreams?
I am currently studying a wide range of subjects at NYU, from technical skills such as audio and camera to how to express myself as an art form. I am particularly focusing on screenwriting and directing classes.
In scriptwriting, students learn how to put the themes they want to express into a narrative structure. In the directing class, we were given a script and two actors for a 30-minute test where we were assessed on how we established the characters and brought out their performances using only words in that short period of time. This was a valuable class where I learnt about New York’s unique directing skills, which cannot be gained from on-the-job experience alone.
My future goal is to produce a feature film after graduating from university. During these four years, I would like to acquire the necessary fundraising skills, networking and directing techniques to achieve this. My short-term goal is to win an Academy Student Award for a film produced in the school. It is a big goal, but I want to make steady progress step by step.