Filmmakers Academy: Interview with Olivia Frey and Tatjana Honegger

Story Lab participants Olivia Frey and Tatjana Honegger took part in this year’s Locarno Filmmakers Academy, a ten-day programme aimed at young filmmakers and held at the Locarno Film Festival. What did they learn, and what surprised them? Olivia and Tatjana reflect on their time at the Academy.

What were your expectations going into the Academy?

Olivia Frey (OF): I was prepared for ten very intense days, both socially and professionally. I was mainly excited, but also a little nervous…

Tatjana Honegger (TH): I don’t think I really had any expectations going into the Academy. It was more a sense of curiosity – about the other participants, their films, but also about the more subtle aspects: their everyday lives, their routines, their experiences. I wanted to remain open and allow the ten days to shape me, rather than the other way around.

What were the ten days like, how would you describe the programme?  

OF: The first few days were extremely intense. The first masterclass starts relatively early in the morning and the day is packed with screenings and masterclasses, plus of course getting to know the other participants, so you don’t go to bed until late. After a few days, there were a little fewer items on the programme, so we had time to go swimming together or do other things. Stefano and Mosè, who look after the participants, were very keen to make sure that everyone was happy. They created a wonderful setting for encounters – both with big names from the international film world and between the participants themselves.

TH: Every day brought something different. The focus was on masterclasses – with actors, filmmakers and screenwriters – in an intimate setting that left plenty of room for questions and open dialogue. We spent the rest of the time in constant exchange with each other: we watched films, shared our own projects and talked to other festival visitors.

What role does a format such as the Academy play in the further development of filmmakers, whether at the beginning or in the middle of their careers?

OF: The best thing for me was that I got to know a whole group of other filmmakers, most of whom are a little further along, but still at a very similar point in their careers. There is an exchange on equal terms, which is very diverse due to the fact that so many different cultural backgrounds and approaches to filmmaking come together. It broadens one’s horizons and has given me a lot of clarity on questions about my current project.  

TH: A format like the Academy allows filmmakers to break out of the bubble of their own projects and take a moment to pause and reflect. At the same time, it creates space for genuine exchange – not only among us filmmakers, but also with the critics and industry participants. These worlds often seem far removed from our everyday work, but the ten days we spent together brought them closer and made them part of the same conversation. It was a collective experience from which I took away a lot of inspiration and motivation.  

Was there a moment during the Academy when you questioned your own work or creative approach?

OF: Hmm, not necessarily my creative approach, but perhaps the time frame in which I wanted to realise my project. The screenings organised as part of the Academy were very impressive. I can’t remember ever seeing so many good short films in such a short time. The care and passion that went into each of these films made a deep impression on me. In particular, the precision with which the films were made and the length of time involved in their production made me rethink my own schedule. 

TH: During the Academy, there were several moments when I reflected on my own work, especially the project I am currently developing. A short film by another participant made a particular impression on me. The playful approach to narrative and structure opened up new perspectives for me and gave me a lot of inspiration, which I am now taking with me into the writing phase of my current project. 

Has the Academy changed your view of the film industry?

OF: The exchange with the other participants, who came from all over the world, was very important. We all learned a lot from each other: some have more experience shooting with higher budgets, while others know a lot about programmes similar to the Filmmakers Academy. I still have to process the impressions and what I learned, but it was a lot, in every respect.

TH: The international orientation of the Academy was particularly exciting for me. It was impressive to see how filmmakers work in regions with less support and a smaller industry. This gave me a broader view of what is possible in filmmaking beyond the familiar systems, while also making me question the structure of the industry – its rules, hierarchies and assumptions.

What did you think of your interactions with the other filmmakers?

OF: It was wonderful. It was great to spend ten days with such a talented group of filmmakers, watching films together and attending masterclasses, but the personal exchanges were particularly enriching. You grow together as a group and with a surprising number of individuals because you experience so much together. This also makes the exchange about current projects and each other’s work very profound.

TH: The exchange with the other filmmakers was about getting to know each other and learning from each other. Our films were very different – some more narrative-driven, others experimental – and yet we quickly thought about how we could support each other. For example, I plan to discuss my next screenplay draft with the participating filmmaker from Thailand and maybe go to Albania to work on someone else’s first feature, while he in turn plans to be involved in the shooting of another participant from Iraq. There was a genuine openness and respect for each other’s work and ideas, as well as a strong desire for collaboration and community.

What did you learn at the academy, and what will you take away from it?

OF: Above all, I’m taking away lots of great acquaintances and friendships. At our last breakfast together, we promised to meet up with the whole group on Zoom every few months to support each other in the development of our projects. Let’s see if it works out… But one thing is certain: some of these friendships will remain and grow, and that will certainly be very enriching for filmmaking.  

TH: One thought that particularly stuck with me from the masterclass with Miguel Gomes is: ‘Cinema can give you back your innocence.’ For me, this sums up what the Academy has offered me: the masterclasses, screenings and constant exchange with other filmmakers created a space to approach filmmaking with curiosity and openness. I am leaving the Academy with new inspiration and energy and hope to take this with me into my future projects.