Philip LaZebnik – FILMS FOR KIDS.Pro #NoweHoryzonty

Philip LaZebnik – tutor – FILMS FOR KIDS.Pro

FRED’s Matt Micucci interviews Philip LaZebnik, one of the tutors of FILMS FOR KIDS.Pro, a program dedicated solely to the development of films dedicated to a young audiences, from the T-Mobile New Horizons International Film Festival.

He talks to us about how he worked on this role, and gives us an overview of his tasks and activities. Being an experienced writer, who has worked extensively with Disney and DreamWorks, we also take this opportunity to discuss with him the current state of cinema for a young audiences, the problems with financiers backing such projects, the unfounded prejudices of filmmaking who view films for a young audiences as second rate, and he even pinpoints a reoccurring flaw that often marks such films.

Philip also talks about the writing process and the importance of the story, the true secret weapon that a film has to compete in a market largely dominated in Europe by American cinema and studio giants.

“FILMS FOR KIDS.Pro is the first program in Europe dedicated solely to the development of films for young audiences. Our goal is to support the production of ambitious movies for children aged 5-12 years, based on the highest artistic and production standards of European, and in particular Norwegian, cinema. We will work on ideas brought by participants and develop them from a short synopsis through first draft to a second draft of the screenplay (approximately 90-pages long). In parallel we will work with their respective producers on a strategy for financing, promoting and distributing those movies. All elements of the program are focused specifically on cinema for children. More information: www.filmsforkidspro.eu Supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants and co-financed by the Polish funds. Participation in the whole program is free of charge (tutoring, lectures, transportation, accommodation and board, and also participation in film festival screenings).”