Considering the film was written while Antoneta was studying at America’s prestigious Columbia University, the film is nominated in the category of Best Film (Domestic Schools).

‘The idea came about in my second year at Columbia, and then we developed it during my third and fourth year of film directing. Students attending universities in the United States produce and finance their own final films, so the Croatian Audiovisual Centre definitely helped the film succeed. I am honoured to be a part of this selection, among many of my colleagues from Columbia and Croatia. I am also proud that Columbia, which is my Alma Mater, each year has a candidate, and in the last three years two winners. I am most happy for the young actors who are the core of this film,’ said Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović on her nomination.

Into the Blue is competing for a medal (Gold, Silver, Bronze) which is awarded to the winners by the Academy. Winning a medal automatically enters the film into the qualification round for an Oscar Award nomination.

The film is about Julia and her mother who run from domestic abuse and move to the idyllic island where Julia spent her childhood. The film is produced by Motion (Croatia) and Blade Production (Slovenia). The film is written by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović and co-written by Christina Lazaridi. It stars Gracija Filipović, Vanesa Vidaković Natrlin, Dominik Duždević, Andro Režić, Nataša Dangubić and Marija Kohn. The cinematographer is Marko Brdar, the producers are Barbara Vekarić and Vlaho Krile (Motion) and Zoran Dževerdanović (Blade Production). The film is supported by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre and the Slovenian Film Centre, and as a project was developed at the Short Film Station, part of the 2016 Berlinale Talents programme.

Into the Blue had its world premiere in the Generation 14plus programme at this year’s Berlinale where it received Special Mention, while at the Oberhausen International Short Film Festival it won the Young Jury Award. The film will have its regional premiere at the 23rd Sarajevo Film Festival.

Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović was born in Dubrovnik in 1985. The themes of her films focus on the darker side of passion, familial boundaries, and the dangers that come with secrets. She is currently working on her first feature film, together with screenwriter Christina Lazaridi, called Murina. The film is about a Croatian family that wanders an island uncovering hidden violence existing among parents, lovers, and their children. Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović has a Masters Degree in Film Arts from Columbia University in New York.

Last year, Judita Gamulin’s film Flowers, produced by the Academy of Dramatic Arts, was one of seven finalists in the category of Best Foreign Film.

The Student Academy Awards were founded in 1972 in order to support and encourage excellence in filmmaking at the academic level, in America and across the globe. Some film directors who have won in the past include John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Robert Zemeckis, Trey Parker and Spike Lee. The 44th Student Oscars will take place on October 12th in the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills.

For more information please follow this link, and for a complete list of finalists click here.

Cover photos: scene from Into the Blue; Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović; Student Academy Awards logo; scene from Into the Blue