6 September, Friday, Haaga-Helia University, Pasila
13:00 - 14:00 - Cinema as a medium to tell your story
Speaker: Cristiano Esposito (Italy)
Workshop Description: A filmmaker talks how to use film as a medium. Using his own film Voci da un'isola as an example.
Speaker Bio: Cristiano taught Ermeneutica Leopardiana, at the University of Naples at the Faculty of Literature, for 9 years. For 20 years now, Cristiano has been writing for the cinema, theatre and TV, directing and producing TV format and programmes, theatre and radio shows for regional networks. He has also conducted numerous talk shows and reports on radio and TV.
14:00-15:00 – My Film Journey concerning womens' education in China – A dialogue with Documentary Filmmaker
Speaker: Candy Chan (Hong Kong, China)
Workshop description: Director Candy Chan shares her experience and the creative process in making "SPRING BUD," a short documentary about a woman’s quest to tackle deep-rooted cultural injustices against girls and how she uses education as the tool to empower one thousand girls in China’s rural Shaanxi Province.
Speaker’s bio: Candy Chan holds a BA in Journalism from San Francisco State University. After graduating, she worked for several overseas Chinese media organizations in the US. Since 2013, she has worked as Associate Producer for Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang on multiple documentaries, including the feature, MY VOICE, MY LIFE, which The Wall Street Journal called one of the “five most essential films” to come out of Hong Kong in 2014. "SPRING BUD" is Candy's directorial debut.
15:00-16:00 - Yujiro Seki “How to create a platform for 21st century audience”
Speaker: Yujiro (Japan)
Workshop description: How to navigate the new generation to engaging and exciting learning experiences
Speaker’s bio: Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for film-making when he was in high school. Through making his first feature film, Sokonashi Deka (The Enigmatic Detective), he became enamored with the imaginative possibilities of cinema and vowed to master the art through study in the United States. Despite the fact that starting a new life in a new country was a challenge in itself, Seki earned a BA in Film from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed a short film, Sashimi Taco, for his senior, honors thesis. Following his graduation, Seki moved to Los Angeles to work as a director of the video department for Intermarket Design, and as a film instructor at Montecito Fine Arts College of Design. After attaining permanent U.S. residency, Seki began studying full time in the Cinematography program at UCLA Extension. Upon graduating from that program, he embarked on the journey of making his feature documentary project, Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan
16:00-17:00 - Josh Kapunsinski “Filmmaking as a tool in higher education and business in the USA”
Speaker: Josh Kapusinski (USA)
Workshop description: An online workshop about the role of video as a tool in higher education (colleges and universities) in the USA and how New York City College uses it as a recruiting tool, on social media to connect with students, inspire, advise, and recognize their achievements.
Speaker’s bio: Josh A. Kapusinski is an Emmy-winning creative director and educator with client work from Warner Bros., Samsung, ESPN, Chevrolet, and Estee Lauder. His work has been shown in film festivals and in sports arenas around the world, as well as on national television channels and on billboards in Times Square, NYC. He is a full-time professor at New York City College of Technology teaching video production, motion graphics, and storytelling.
Speaker: Cristiano Esposito (Italy)
Workshop Description: A filmmaker talks how to use film as a medium. Using his own film Voci da un'isola as an example.
Speaker Bio: Cristiano taught Ermeneutica Leopardiana, at the University of Naples at the Faculty of Literature, for 9 years. For 20 years now, Cristiano has been writing for the cinema, theatre and TV, directing and producing TV format and programmes, theatre and radio shows for regional networks. He has also conducted numerous talk shows and reports on radio and TV.
14:00-15:00 – My Film Journey concerning womens' education in China – A dialogue with Documentary Filmmaker
Speaker: Candy Chan (Hong Kong, China)
Workshop description: Director Candy Chan shares her experience and the creative process in making "SPRING BUD," a short documentary about a woman’s quest to tackle deep-rooted cultural injustices against girls and how she uses education as the tool to empower one thousand girls in China’s rural Shaanxi Province.
Speaker’s bio: Candy Chan holds a BA in Journalism from San Francisco State University. After graduating, she worked for several overseas Chinese media organizations in the US. Since 2013, she has worked as Associate Producer for Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang on multiple documentaries, including the feature, MY VOICE, MY LIFE, which The Wall Street Journal called one of the “five most essential films” to come out of Hong Kong in 2014. "SPRING BUD" is Candy's directorial debut.
15:00-16:00 - Yujiro Seki “How to create a platform for 21st century audience”
Speaker: Yujiro (Japan)
Workshop description: How to navigate the new generation to engaging and exciting learning experiences
Speaker’s bio: Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for film-making when he was in high school. Through making his first feature film, Sokonashi Deka (The Enigmatic Detective), he became enamored with the imaginative possibilities of cinema and vowed to master the art through study in the United States. Despite the fact that starting a new life in a new country was a challenge in itself, Seki earned a BA in Film from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed a short film, Sashimi Taco, for his senior, honors thesis. Following his graduation, Seki moved to Los Angeles to work as a director of the video department for Intermarket Design, and as a film instructor at Montecito Fine Arts College of Design. After attaining permanent U.S. residency, Seki began studying full time in the Cinematography program at UCLA Extension. Upon graduating from that program, he embarked on the journey of making his feature documentary project, Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan
16:00-17:00 - Josh Kapunsinski “Filmmaking as a tool in higher education and business in the USA”
Speaker: Josh Kapusinski (USA)
Workshop description: An online workshop about the role of video as a tool in higher education (colleges and universities) in the USA and how New York City College uses it as a recruiting tool, on social media to connect with students, inspire, advise, and recognize their achievements.
Speaker’s bio: Josh A. Kapusinski is an Emmy-winning creative director and educator with client work from Warner Bros., Samsung, ESPN, Chevrolet, and Estee Lauder. His work has been shown in film festivals and in sports arenas around the world, as well as on national television channels and on billboards in Times Square, NYC. He is a full-time professor at New York City College of Technology teaching video production, motion graphics, and storytelling.
10 September, Tuesday, NewCo Helsinki, Kallio
15:00-16:00 – “How to create a platform for 21st century audience”
Speaker: Yujiro (Japan)
Workshop description: How to navigate the new generation to engaging and exciting learning experiences
Speaker’s bio: Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for film-making when he was in high school. Through making his first feature film, Sokonashi Deka (The Enigmatic Detective), he became enamored with the imaginative possibilities of cinema and vowed to master the art through study in the United States. Despite the fact that starting a new life in a new country was a challenge in itself, Seki earned a BA in Film from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed a short film, Sashimi Taco, for his senior, honors thesis. Following his graduation, Seki moved to Los Angeles to work as a director of the video department for Intermarket Design, and as a film instructor at Montecito Fine Arts College of Design. After attaining permanent U.S. residency, Seki began studying full time in the Cinematography program at UCLA Extension. Upon graduating from that program, he embarked on the journey of making his feature documentary project, Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan
16:00-17:00 - Josh Kapunsinski “Filmmaking as a tool in higher education and business in the USA”
Speaker: Josh Kapusinski (USA)
Workshop description: An online workshop about the role of video as a tool in higher education (colleges and universities) in the USA and how New York City College uses it as a recruiting tool, on social media to connect with students, inspire, advise, and recognize their achievements.
Speaker’s bio: Josh A. Kapusinski is an Emmy-winning creative director and educator with client work from Warner Bros., Samsung, ESPN, Chevrolet, and Estee Lauder. His work has been shown in film festivals and in sports arenas around the world, as well as on national television channels and on billboards in Times Square, NYC. He is a full-time professor at New York City College of Technology teaching video production, motion graphics, and storytelling.
Speaker: Yujiro (Japan)
Workshop description: How to navigate the new generation to engaging and exciting learning experiences
Speaker’s bio: Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for film-making when he was in high school. Through making his first feature film, Sokonashi Deka (The Enigmatic Detective), he became enamored with the imaginative possibilities of cinema and vowed to master the art through study in the United States. Despite the fact that starting a new life in a new country was a challenge in itself, Seki earned a BA in Film from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed a short film, Sashimi Taco, for his senior, honors thesis. Following his graduation, Seki moved to Los Angeles to work as a director of the video department for Intermarket Design, and as a film instructor at Montecito Fine Arts College of Design. After attaining permanent U.S. residency, Seki began studying full time in the Cinematography program at UCLA Extension. Upon graduating from that program, he embarked on the journey of making his feature documentary project, Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan
16:00-17:00 - Josh Kapunsinski “Filmmaking as a tool in higher education and business in the USA”
Speaker: Josh Kapusinski (USA)
Workshop description: An online workshop about the role of video as a tool in higher education (colleges and universities) in the USA and how New York City College uses it as a recruiting tool, on social media to connect with students, inspire, advise, and recognize their achievements.
Speaker’s bio: Josh A. Kapusinski is an Emmy-winning creative director and educator with client work from Warner Bros., Samsung, ESPN, Chevrolet, and Estee Lauder. His work has been shown in film festivals and in sports arenas around the world, as well as on national television channels and on billboards in Times Square, NYC. He is a full-time professor at New York City College of Technology teaching video production, motion graphics, and storytelling.
11 September, Wednesday, Haaga-Helia University, Pasila
15:00-16:00 - Yujiro Seki “How to create a platform for 21st century audience”
Speaker: Yujiro (Japan)
Workshop description: How to navigate the new generation to engaging and exciting learning experiences
Speaker’s bio: Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for film-making when he was in high school. Through making his first feature film, Sokonashi Deka (The Enigmatic Detective), he became enamored with the imaginative possibilities of cinema and vowed to master the art through study in the United States. Despite the fact that starting a new life in a new country was a challenge in itself, Seki earned a BA in Film from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed a short film, Sashimi Taco, for his senior, honors thesis. Following his graduation, Seki moved to Los Angeles to work as a director of the video department for Intermarket Design, and as a film instructor at Montecito Fine Arts College of Design. After attaining permanent U.S. residency, Seki began studying full time in the Cinematography program at UCLA Extension. Upon graduating from that program, he embarked on the journey of making his feature documentary project, Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan
Speaker: Yujiro (Japan)
Workshop description: How to navigate the new generation to engaging and exciting learning experiences
Speaker’s bio: Born and raised in Japan, Yujiro Seki discovered his passion for film-making when he was in high school. Through making his first feature film, Sokonashi Deka (The Enigmatic Detective), he became enamored with the imaginative possibilities of cinema and vowed to master the art through study in the United States. Despite the fact that starting a new life in a new country was a challenge in itself, Seki earned a BA in Film from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed a short film, Sashimi Taco, for his senior, honors thesis. Following his graduation, Seki moved to Los Angeles to work as a director of the video department for Intermarket Design, and as a film instructor at Montecito Fine Arts College of Design. After attaining permanent U.S. residency, Seki began studying full time in the Cinematography program at UCLA Extension. Upon graduating from that program, he embarked on the journey of making his feature documentary project, Carving the Divine: Buddhist Sculptors of Japan
12 September, Thursday, NewCo Helsinki
13:00 – 15:00 - Film screenings “Economical Reconciliation” by Andree Cazabon and "Entrepreneurship - The Role Schools have in the Education of Entrepreneurs" by Michael Lusardi
Description: Produced on the heels of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations, this film elevates the voices of Indigenous Leaders on economic reconciliation. Canada is ranked as one of the best country to live in the world whereas Canada’s Indigenous Peoples’ living condition rank 63rd in the world. The gaps in living condition is revealed along with the ongoing impact of Canada’s colonialism. Indigenous leaders pave the way forward towards concrete solutions that can help fuel economic growth of Indigenous Nations which would benefit the entire country.
Director’s bio: As an ally- settler, Andree Cazabon made a personal and professional 10-year commitment to reconciliation in 2007. She works under the vision, guidance and direction of Indigenous Peoples in all her projects. With the collaboration and guidance of First Nations University of Canada and NCCIE, this 4-part series on reconciliation is a continuation of her commitment.
As a Gemini nominee, Andrée Cazabon’s films have amassed over 1 million viewers on CBC -Newsworld, TVA, Canal D, Radio-Canada, and CBC Television. A member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and Documentary Organization of Canada, she is the founder and CEO of Productions Cazabon, an award-winning bilingual film and television production company based in Toronto, Canada, with a satellite office in Regina, Saskatchewan. 2019 marks the twelfth year of her professional and personal commitment to reconciliation since her film, ‘3rd World Canada’. Rideau Hall acknowledged her service to reconciliation by awarding her the Meritorious Service Decorations - Civil Division. Andrée Cazabon is a fifth-generation francophone from the Ottawa region.
15:00-16:00 – Entrepreneurship
Speaker: Michael Lusardi
Workshop description: An entrepreneur tells his story and uses it as an example to show how video/filmmaking is a valuable tool in business.
Speaker’s bio: Michael Lusardi is an American living in Finland. He is a former US Marine and has six years of experience as an entrepreneur. Michael is the Vice President of Helsinki Education Film Festival International (HEFFI) a film festival focused on education. Michael runs his own business called Lusardi Media which offers media production, photography, and social media consulting services. He is a passionate self-taught photographer and filmmaker, who is always looking to learn new techniques to hone his craft.
Description: Produced on the heels of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations, this film elevates the voices of Indigenous Leaders on economic reconciliation. Canada is ranked as one of the best country to live in the world whereas Canada’s Indigenous Peoples’ living condition rank 63rd in the world. The gaps in living condition is revealed along with the ongoing impact of Canada’s colonialism. Indigenous leaders pave the way forward towards concrete solutions that can help fuel economic growth of Indigenous Nations which would benefit the entire country.
Director’s bio: As an ally- settler, Andree Cazabon made a personal and professional 10-year commitment to reconciliation in 2007. She works under the vision, guidance and direction of Indigenous Peoples in all her projects. With the collaboration and guidance of First Nations University of Canada and NCCIE, this 4-part series on reconciliation is a continuation of her commitment.
As a Gemini nominee, Andrée Cazabon’s films have amassed over 1 million viewers on CBC -Newsworld, TVA, Canal D, Radio-Canada, and CBC Television. A member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and Documentary Organization of Canada, she is the founder and CEO of Productions Cazabon, an award-winning bilingual film and television production company based in Toronto, Canada, with a satellite office in Regina, Saskatchewan. 2019 marks the twelfth year of her professional and personal commitment to reconciliation since her film, ‘3rd World Canada’. Rideau Hall acknowledged her service to reconciliation by awarding her the Meritorious Service Decorations - Civil Division. Andrée Cazabon is a fifth-generation francophone from the Ottawa region.
15:00-16:00 – Entrepreneurship
Speaker: Michael Lusardi
Workshop description: An entrepreneur tells his story and uses it as an example to show how video/filmmaking is a valuable tool in business.
Speaker’s bio: Michael Lusardi is an American living in Finland. He is a former US Marine and has six years of experience as an entrepreneur. Michael is the Vice President of Helsinki Education Film Festival International (HEFFI) a film festival focused on education. Michael runs his own business called Lusardi Media which offers media production, photography, and social media consulting services. He is a passionate self-taught photographer and filmmaker, who is always looking to learn new techniques to hone his craft.
13 September, Friday, Haaga-Helia University, Pasila
12:00-13:00 - Giving voice to a historical figure through a film
Workshop description: The workshop starts with an introduction of Queen Juana of Castile, her life and the events that brought to her imprisonment in the fortress of Tordesillas. Later, it focuses on the use of film to give somebody in the past (like Queen Juana) a voice to reveal something that may have been concealed.
Speaker: Fabiola Bittarello (Italy)
Speaker's bio: Fabiola Bittarello is an actress. She graduated in Political Sciences at La Sapienza University in Rome and studied acting at “Ribalte” Drama School directed by Enzo Garinei. In the following years she continued to train, attending workshops and studying different “acting techniques”. She is currently working as voice actress. Her deep love for history, her passion for Mythology and the attention for the social issues, pushed her into writing. “Tordesillas” arises from Bittarello' s interest in the life of Doňa Juana of Castile.
13:00-14:00 – Stef Brok “How to make a no-budget educational film”
Speaker: Stef Brok (Netherlands)
Workshop description: A filmmaker talks about the process of making a no-budget educational film with a delicate subject matter.”
Spaeker’s bio: Stef is a graduate of the Willem de Kooning Academie in Rotterdam and works as an editor/director for television in the Netherlands.
14:00-15:00 - Jon Ugarizza “Why I chose film instead of a traditional live presentation”
Speaker: Jon Ugarizza (Spain)
Workshop description: A world-renowned choreographer/dance teacher talks about the advantages of film over the traditional gala presentation and the process of making his multi-award winning dance film “The Key.”
Speaker’s bio: Jon Ugarriza has worked with the Victor Ullate Ballet, Zaragoza Ballet, English National Ballet, Tetsuya Kumakawa K- Ballet Company (Japan), the National Ballet of Portugal, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Staatsballet Berlin and the Basel contemporary Ballet in Switzerland. Jon are also a member of the Jury of Diputación Foral de Bizkaia.
As a choreographer he has developed pieces for top performers at the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, StaatsBallet Berlin, Opéra de Nice, Ballerische Staatsoper, Joffrey Ballet in Chicago and the New York City Ballet.
Executive Producer and choreographer of THE KEY.
Jon has a degree in Choreography and Dance Technique Performance from the Ministry of Education and the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum (New York).
15:00-16:00 - Gary Janks “Watching great films for learning and pleasure”
Speaker: Gary Janks (UK)
Workshop description: A filmmaker and educator talks about the importance of developing education and entrepreneurial business skills and enterprise through films using his own film “Chasing Mandela’s rainbow” as an example.
Speaker’s short bio: Gary Janks is the Director & Producer of the film “Chasing Mandela’s Rainbow to be screened on the 14th September at HEFFI. He is a semi-retired English teacher from South Africa. His teaching career spans 34 years, mainly in England. He taught English and Drama/Theatre Studies, to A levels and Matric in England and South Africa, also History, Geography and IT to year 9. He was Co-ordinator for Citizenship and PSHE; rugby, athletics and cricket coach; drama director for student theatre; public speaking and debating co-ordinator. Produced, directed, filmed, edited, ‘A Bridge of Sighs and Hopes.’ A post credit crash, economic debate on Information TV Channel 212, (2014).
16:00-17:00 - Andrea Baroni “From the mind to the screen”
Speaker: Andrea Baroni (Italy)
Workshop description : How to make a movie starting from an idea, introducing it to the film industry and distribute it all over the world
Speaker’s bio: After his studies in Medicine and a career as journalist, Andrea graduates as screenwriter, attending a course by Marcello Olivieri at the University of Cinema and Performing Arts in Cinecittà.
With his short movie ‘Quando a Roma nevica’ he stands out in a new wave of Italian directors, winning prizes and gaining selections in one of the most important Italian and international film festivals. While waiting for his first fiction feature film to be released, he shoots ‘Ciao Bianca’, winner of the 48 hours film project and screened in Italian cinemas.
He also films ‘9 out of 10’ presented as National Première at Cineteca di Bologna, the beginning of its national and international festival tour.
Workshop description: The workshop starts with an introduction of Queen Juana of Castile, her life and the events that brought to her imprisonment in the fortress of Tordesillas. Later, it focuses on the use of film to give somebody in the past (like Queen Juana) a voice to reveal something that may have been concealed.
Speaker: Fabiola Bittarello (Italy)
Speaker's bio: Fabiola Bittarello is an actress. She graduated in Political Sciences at La Sapienza University in Rome and studied acting at “Ribalte” Drama School directed by Enzo Garinei. In the following years she continued to train, attending workshops and studying different “acting techniques”. She is currently working as voice actress. Her deep love for history, her passion for Mythology and the attention for the social issues, pushed her into writing. “Tordesillas” arises from Bittarello' s interest in the life of Doňa Juana of Castile.
13:00-14:00 – Stef Brok “How to make a no-budget educational film”
Speaker: Stef Brok (Netherlands)
Workshop description: A filmmaker talks about the process of making a no-budget educational film with a delicate subject matter.”
Spaeker’s bio: Stef is a graduate of the Willem de Kooning Academie in Rotterdam and works as an editor/director for television in the Netherlands.
14:00-15:00 - Jon Ugarizza “Why I chose film instead of a traditional live presentation”
Speaker: Jon Ugarizza (Spain)
Workshop description: A world-renowned choreographer/dance teacher talks about the advantages of film over the traditional gala presentation and the process of making his multi-award winning dance film “The Key.”
Speaker’s bio: Jon Ugarriza has worked with the Victor Ullate Ballet, Zaragoza Ballet, English National Ballet, Tetsuya Kumakawa K- Ballet Company (Japan), the National Ballet of Portugal, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Staatsballet Berlin and the Basel contemporary Ballet in Switzerland. Jon are also a member of the Jury of Diputación Foral de Bizkaia.
As a choreographer he has developed pieces for top performers at the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, StaatsBallet Berlin, Opéra de Nice, Ballerische Staatsoper, Joffrey Ballet in Chicago and the New York City Ballet.
Executive Producer and choreographer of THE KEY.
Jon has a degree in Choreography and Dance Technique Performance from the Ministry of Education and the American Ballet Theatre® National Training Curriculum (New York).
15:00-16:00 - Gary Janks “Watching great films for learning and pleasure”
Speaker: Gary Janks (UK)
Workshop description: A filmmaker and educator talks about the importance of developing education and entrepreneurial business skills and enterprise through films using his own film “Chasing Mandela’s rainbow” as an example.
Speaker’s short bio: Gary Janks is the Director & Producer of the film “Chasing Mandela’s Rainbow to be screened on the 14th September at HEFFI. He is a semi-retired English teacher from South Africa. His teaching career spans 34 years, mainly in England. He taught English and Drama/Theatre Studies, to A levels and Matric in England and South Africa, also History, Geography and IT to year 9. He was Co-ordinator for Citizenship and PSHE; rugby, athletics and cricket coach; drama director for student theatre; public speaking and debating co-ordinator. Produced, directed, filmed, edited, ‘A Bridge of Sighs and Hopes.’ A post credit crash, economic debate on Information TV Channel 212, (2014).
16:00-17:00 - Andrea Baroni “From the mind to the screen”
Speaker: Andrea Baroni (Italy)
Workshop description : How to make a movie starting from an idea, introducing it to the film industry and distribute it all over the world
Speaker’s bio: After his studies in Medicine and a career as journalist, Andrea graduates as screenwriter, attending a course by Marcello Olivieri at the University of Cinema and Performing Arts in Cinecittà.
With his short movie ‘Quando a Roma nevica’ he stands out in a new wave of Italian directors, winning prizes and gaining selections in one of the most important Italian and international film festivals. While waiting for his first fiction feature film to be released, he shoots ‘Ciao Bianca’, winner of the 48 hours film project and screened in Italian cinemas.
He also films ‘9 out of 10’ presented as National Première at Cineteca di Bologna, the beginning of its national and international festival tour.