The project aims to promote Croatian video games co-financed by HAVC, encourage children and young people to watch domestic films at the cinema, develop and educate the youngest audience through cinema events, and educate and lay the foundations for a better understanding of AV content – both video games and films.

In the coming months, the programme Cinema, Game, Film will bring a series of specially created screenings of video games and children’s films referencing the themes from the video games, both for preschool and elementary school children. The project is the result of cooperation between three activities within HAVC – Cinema, Video Games (Games Croatia) and Film Literacy.

Each program is designed so that the game’s creative team presents the game’s content to children of appropriate age, as well as the kind of work involved in its production. In continuation, the children play these games at the cinema. This is followed by a screening of a children’s film that references the themes from the game; the program ends with a group analysis of the film, which encourages children to better understand the content of the game and the film, and to think critically about what they have seen.

The programme officially started on Monday, 10 March at the Novska Open University in Novska, with the presentation of the video game Moopies, of creative duo Mateja and Stefan Vedrina. The aforementioned educational mobile phone game is intended for children aged 3 to 7, and aims to help children develop mathematical and logical thinking skills through play, as well as learn about colours and letters, while being taught by tiny creatures from another planet. The video game presentation is followed by a screening of the children’s film Cricket & Antoinette directed by Luka Rukavina, the most watched film in domestic cinemas in 2023, while the group discussion is led by prof. Marina Zlatarić.

The program will continue on 1 April at the Art-kino Croatia in Rijeka, with the domestic video game Cave Hikers created by Zvonimir Barać, a humorous pseudo-documentary adventure video game that combines alchemy, riddles and interaction with characters. Players will follow three protagonists – warrior Aki, alchemist Valerian and mechanic Vuv – as they explore a mysterious “cave with an endless ceiling”.

The program continues on 14 May at Edison Cinema in Karlovac, with the video game Dark Queen of creator Josip Vincetić, which is based on Croatian literary and oral tradition. Inspired by the works of Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić and August Šenoa, the game brings an original story about the legend of the Dark Queen, the infamous ruler of Medvedgrad. The game wishes to thematise and popularise the cultural heritage and history of continental Croatia, drawing attention to lesser-known aspects of our tradition.

The Cinema, Game, Film program will make a guest appearance at the Mediterranean Film Festival Split on 13 June, with the video game Bura – The Way the Wind Blows, in collaboration with the project Kino Mediteran. The video game, the work of creator Rea Burić and her studio Tiny Meow, brings a laidback adventure inspired by Dalmatian folklore. If its popularity on Kickstarter is anything to by, we’re seeing a rapidly growing interest in domestic gaming projects. Bura explores a life’s journey from youth to old age, with scenes of traditional activities such as making lace from Pag and playing bocce.

The Cinema, Game, Film program offers a unique opportunity for children and young people to develop not only their technical skills and creativity, but also critical thinking and film literacy through games and films. In addition to educational games, children have the opportunity to learn about history and culture through interactive approaches, such as games inspired by Croatian literature and tradition.

The visuals of the video games and the Cinema, Game, Film project is available for download here.