The EPYC Project
The project
EPYC – Enhancing Peace through Youth Creativity
Giffoni Macedonia is a regional hub of the world’s leading festival for children and youth, the “Giffoni Film Festival” from Italy.
Since 2013 Giffoni Macedonia has been successfully promoting media literacy, education, critical thinking and international cooperation, developing them through active involvement of young people in creative activities connected to film, audiovisual arts and creative industries.
The project EPYC – Enhancing Peace through Youth Creativity is part of the eleventh edition of Giffoni Macedonia, which will take place in Skopje, in September and October 2023.
The main objectives of the EPYC project are:
- To promote the values of intra-regional integration, peace and reconciliation and human rights through film and creative expression;
- To encourage young filmmakers from the Western Balkans and beyond to create films for young audience that promote peace and reconciliation, regional integration and democracy, European values and human rights;
- To create opportunities for young people from the region and beyond to participate together in creative activities and to exchange experiences and practices through cultural exchange;
- To allow young people from the region to meet and exchange ideas with representatives of the creative industries and the institutions on the importance of using film and arts in the education of young people and conveying the messages of non-violence and peace.
The project is supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the program Bando Balcani 2022.
EPYC movies in the official selection of the festival, in all three categories: Juniors, Cadets and Seniors.
There is no better way to spread messages for peace among peoples than by creative expression.
The jurors will meet professionals
from creative industries and talk with them on importance of art in peacebuilding.
The EPYC Blog is a space for your thoughts, articles, interviews and essays about peace-building art and movies, space for your art expressions.
The first edition of the EPYC Short Film Awards will take place in October 2023, as part of the eleventh edition of Giffoni Macedonia Youth Film Festival.