Festival of International Student Theatre - FIST

Tune in FIST!

"Our mission is to stage drama students' productions, both national and international, to promote contemporary theatre trends and art students' work. The idea behind the festival is to teach students about aspects of the theatre that cannot be learned but through interaction with colleagues from around the world. We are giving our best for our programme and work at the festival to be professional, and to put FIST on Belgrade and world cultural map", explains Milica Novković, festival coordinator


By JOVANA GRUBAČ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


Festival of International Student Theatre (FIST) runs from November 12-16, at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade. Founded in 2005, it started out as an event where young foreign directors would gather and present their latest productions to Serbian audience. The idea came from Jovana Popović, Marko Radenković and Nenad Meršnik, former students in Management and production in theatre, radio and culture Department (at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts) and it caught on. Other students joined in, released energy and creativity and, with very limited funding, established FIST 01. It is now held annually, growing into a major event.

Students involved in the organization of FIST are from the following departments (Faculty of Dramatic Arts): Management and production in theatre, radio and culture, Acting, Theatre and radio directing, Dramaturgy Camera and Sound recording and design, assisted by students from the Faculty of Applied Arts. Milica Novković, this year's FIST Coordinator, will now shed more light on FIST 04, the programme, the organizators' expectations.

"Our mission is to stage drama students' productions, both national and international, to promote contemporary theatre trends and art students' work. The idea behind the festival is to teach students about aspects of the theatre that cannot be learned but through interaction with colleagues from around the world. This festival is run by students, for students. It does not stop us, however, from being professional about it, requiring a certain quality standard and putting FIST on Belgrade and world cultural map."

This is the fourth FIST and the previous ones have attracted almost 11,000 visitors and given an opportunity to 25 troops from 25 different countries to perform in Belgrade. Hundreds of students have developed their skills in nearly 20 different workshops led by recognized experts from all around the world.

- Having in mind the success of the festival so far, the new generations of students want to achieve more. Apart from cultivating and growing cultural awareness by promoting contemporary trends, art students' work and by organizing experience sharing, they want the festival to become a cultural brand; the one playing a prominent role among other student festivals and becoming an equal to professional festivals.

The main events are plays from Finland, Mexico, Iran, Israel, Romania, Macedonia, BIH Federation, Serbia and one co-production of Serbian and Czech troops.

- All the plays mentioned are extremely unusual, modern and inspirational student plays, which indicate new trends in drama arts. In addition, there is a special programme consisting of: Acting Workshop by Michael Devine (Canada), Light in Theatre by Susanne Ressin (Germany), Improvisation Workshop by Fazakas Misi (Romania), and Costume as a Message by Ksenija Marković (Serbia). Fist also has its so-called OFF programme, which presents works and installations of young artists from the Faculty of Applied Arts and the Faculty of Fine Arts. Not to forget, fabulous FIST parties every evening during the festival.

FIST 04 has been recognised as a significant cultural event and that the Faculty of Dramatic Arts put it in their curriculum. This shows that professors view it as a valuable experience for their students.

- However, it does not imply their control over the festival. FIST is still a students' venture, completely organized and carried out by students. The novelty is that our FIST last 5 days now, instead of four. (November 12-16, 2008) We needed the extra day as we had a lot of superb plays submitted. This is the first year we have had a Festival Selector, namely Mathias Lucas De Man, who is one of the founders and the Artistic Director of the Dutch network of young theatre directors INSTED and with whom we have had a good cooperation.

For the first time, the festival will have its own radio station.

- Yes, that is right. FIST radio is there to inform about the festival programme and the ideas the festival promotes. Students will be given an opportunity to get an insight into all radio production stages. Short, clear, picturesque and precise - these are the key words of FIST editorial policy. News, talks, reviews, info and announcements - everything about the Festival of International Student Theatre. You can listen to the radio in the cafe in the Faculty of Dramatic Arts and on our Internet website. Join us from 10th to 17th November, either at our cafe or on www.fistbelgrade.com.

FIST has its own production as well. Any projects you would like to mention?

- There is a co-production with the Czech troop SKUTR which was awarded the judges' Grand prix at the FIST 03. The directing tandem is Czecho- Slovakian, with Martin Kukučka and Lukáš Trpišovský and they have worked with our actors for a month. The result is a play called 'Limitless Lines', a theatrical essay on the lines of our lives.

Both graduated in directing and dramaturgy from the Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre at Prague Academy of Performing Arts. They have cooperated with many renowned theatres in the Czech Republic (such as Archa Theatre, Divadlo na Zabradli, Prague National Theatre). They also participated in several international co-productions and are currently managing an experimental studio Archa.lab in Archa Theatre. "Fucking time. Fucking morning. Fucking wake-up. Fucking thinking. Theatrical essay about the lines surrounding us, about the lines of our lives, our rememberance. Six actors, six lines, move, speech, music, school boards. Poetry. And that's all."


(Published: 15.11.2008.)