by Valeria Cozzarini
Julka, 2025, animated, rotoscoping, digital DCP, 1,85:1, 24, c + bw, 13 min
In progress
SI, IT, HR, BG
Julka is a Slovenian-speaking eight-year-old girl who has two friends, Danilo and Marko, with whom she is inseparable. Their lives change drastically when the fascist regime bans the use of local and minority languages and begins a period of persecution and oppression. One day, a teacher hears Julka speaking Slovene in class, so he punishes her and uses violence to enforce his excessive nationalism.
The story for the screenplay is based on a short story by the writer Boris Pahor, The Butterfly on the Hook.
Valeria Cozzarini started experimenting with animation during her BA in Painting at the Academy of Fine Art of Venice. She pursues experimenting with film intersecting animation and footage material in personal and commissioned projects. She took part in the European Animation Masterclass in Halle (Saale) – Germany – in 2008. In 2009 she was selected for the Fondazione Bevilacqua la Masa artists’ studios in Venice. She has had valuable experiences abroad, among them a working placement at the ZKM – Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe (Germany). She was awarded First Prize at the Cortinametraggio Film Festival and in 2017 Best Art Music Video Award at the Expression Art Movie Film Festival.
““I had started to know the world as a Slovenian, and now I couldn’t stand the imposition of transforming into an Italian.” – Boris Pahor
Language, as a part of identity, and its negation as a form of traumatic violence: by focusing on the aspect of linguistic imposition as a tool of dominance, this short film transcends its specific context and takes on a universal significance.”
Production Company ARSMEDIA was established in 1990.
With over 30 years of experience, this production company has established a strong reputation for excellence.
Boštjan Ikovic is a talented producer born in 1979 in Ljubljana. He studied Economics in both Ljubljana and Graz and upon graduation, embarked on a successful career in the film industry. Boštjan was even selected to participate in the prestigious "Producers on the Move" program during the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. With a diverse portfolio under his belt, including feature films, documentary films, short films, and TV series, Boštjan is a master of his craft. He is a member of the European Film Academy (EFA), board member of CEPI.
ARSMEDIA is dedicated to developing and finalizing new screenplays, and projects, and producing films. They are constantly seeking new challenges to push themselves further. Additionally, they offer services such as location scouting, casting organization, and finding crew members for basic production, post-production, promotion, and distribution of films.
Last year's films included Sarajevo Safari, Space Between Us, Once Were Humans, and Sing Me a Song. Currently, in pre-production, are Yugoslavia, My Fatherland (a feature film), Back to the Freedom (feature-length documentary) and some co-productions that are under development with Italians. In the development phase, there is a feature film and a feature-length documentary film titled "I Was, I Am and I Won't be a Miner Anymore," "My Name is Claudia," "Not Available," and "Lullaby for Drones.". In the production and post-production phase is “Julka”, a short animated film.