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Program for Students, High Schoolers and Young Talents

Markus Vad Flaten

Fredrikstad Animation Festival offers a wide range of opportunities for youth and young adults during the festival days 23–26 October at Fredrikstad Kino – whether you’re in high school, a student, or a recent graduate. Join us to dive deeper into animation, film, media production, and develop your skills.

The festival offers discounted festival passes to all students. Get your festival pass here.

Edufest

Students and pupils from high schools, folkehøgskole, and higher education institutions are invited to a seminar day at the Fredrikstad Animation Festival, with a program designed to inspire the next generation of storytellers. The seminars are offered free of charge to schools and educational institutions.

Session 1: Ethical Storytelling Techniques and Representation in Animation

Thursday, 23 October, 11:00 – 12:30
Fredrikstad Kino – Sal 3
Tickets here

Two lectures will present different approaches to how filmmakers can broaden and diversify their stories.
What responsibilities do filmmakers have when creating characters and stories outside of their own lived experiences? Dr. Alex Widdowson, a British filmmaker, academic, and festival director, will give a lecture on ethical approaches to representation in animation and documentary film. His talk will draw on his award-winning films about neurodiversity, disability, and psychology, as well as his PhD thesis on ethics in animated documentaries, showing how filmmakers can explore a diversity of stories with authenticity, respect, and collaboration. This seminar is ideal for students interested in animation, documentary, and inclusive storytelling.

The second part of the seminar will feature a 'making of' presentation of a film where character diversity plays a key role in the development of the story. Speaker to be announced.

Session 2: Building a Career in Animation

Thursday, 23 October, 13:00 – 14:15
Fredrikstad Kino – Hall 3
Tickets here

How does one become an animator or filmmaker in today’s media landscape? During the Fredrikstad Animation Festival, professional filmmakers will share their experiences: which educational paths can you choose, and how do you build a career. The day concludes with a presentation of animation programs in Norway and France. This seminar is organized in collaboration with the French Institute in Norway.

Workshop for Young Talents

Are you interested in animation and film, and dream of making your own animated movies? Do you want to learn how to create animated characters and develop your own animated universe? During the Fredrikstad Animation Festival, director Markus Vad Flaaten will give young people ages 16–20 the chance to design and bring a character to life. What does it look like, how does it move, maybe you’ll even develop its backstory or side characters – all leading up to creating a mini-trailer!

Date: October 25–26
Location: E6 – Østfold Medieverksted
Application deadline: Open for applications until full
Register here

The course is free of charge and includes accommodation. Participants will also receive festival accreditation and are invited to screenings and seminars at the festival.

The workshop is organized by Fredrikstad Animation Festival in collaboration with the Amandus International Student Film Festival – Lillehammer, and E6 – Østfold Medieverksted, with support from Viken Ung.

Portfolio Session

Thursday, 23 October, 14:00 
TÆPS

Are you a student interested in having your current work reviewed by FAF’s guests and partners from the animation industry? Are you new to the field, looking for opportunities, and unsure where to start? Getting feedback is a key part of building a career in animation. Bring your portfolio and impress our panel of experienced filmmakers and professionals. Open only to festival guests with a festival pass. Registration opens 17 October when the festival releases single-ticket bookings.