Arben Zharku
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Arben Zharku | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Arben in 2011 | |
| Born | February 2, 1982[citation needed] |
| Occupation | Producer |
Arben Zharku (born 2 February 1982 in Kaçanik, Kosovo[citation needed]) is a creative producer based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He graduated in Acting from University of Pristina in 2004, and in 2009 graduated as a producer at European Audiovisual Entrepreneurs. From 2003 to 2014, he worked as a manager at the Multimedia Centre in Pristina, focusing on contemporary and children's theatre development. In addition to his producing work, Zharku has performed in various theater productions and films. He is a member of the European Film Academy and has served on the board of directors of European Film Promotion.[citation needed]
Early life
[edit]Zharku was a teenager during the Kosovo war. He remained in Kaçanik when the heavy invasion began and, in early 1999, went into the nearby mountains to assist doctors treating patients in need.[citation needed]
Producer
[edit]Zharku moved into film production through his background in theater. In 2009, with Jeton Neziraj, he co-funded Qendra Production with the aim to develop cinematography in Kosovo, focusing on new voices, development and creating opportunities for international co-production.[citation needed]
In 2011, Zharku won the Best Producer Award at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival with his film The Wedding Tape directed by Ariel Shaban.[citation needed]
Zharku is a voting member of the European Film Academy.[1]
In April 2012, the Robert Bosch Foundation[2] awarded Zharku Europe's highest short film co-production prize for his film I'll Go To War, But First Make Me a Coffee.
CEO Kosovo Cinematography Center
[edit]In April 2011, Zharku became president Kosovo Cinematography Center, a public film fund of the Republic of Kosovo, and later took the role of CEO in January 2014.[3] At 29 years of age, he was appointed head of the KCC.
During his mandate as the head of the KCC, he supported filmmakers and collaborated on many films, including but not limited to ‘Hive’ by Blerta Basholli, ‘Babai’ and ‘Exile’ by Visar Morina, ‘Looking for Venera’ by Norika Sefa, ‘Vera Dreams of Sea’ by Kaltrina Krasniqi, ‘Zana’ by Antoneta Kastrati, ‘The Hill Where Lionesses Roar’ by Luana Bajrami, ‘Cold November’ by Ismet Sijarina, ‘Shok’ by Jamie Donoughue, and ‘In Between’ and ‘Displaced’ by Samir Karahoda. These films generated attention at international festivals such as Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Karlovy Vary Film Festival Sundance Film Festival, San Sebastian International Film Festival, and Venice Film Festival, contributing to the emergence of the so-called Kosovo New Wave.
Controversy
[edit]On his appointment as President, Zharku spoke out against the stagnating state of film financing in Kosovo.[citation needed] Zharku has urged for reform in the structure of film financing within Kosova, arguing for the financing of "Kosovo New Wave" filmmakers who have traditionally made 'no budget' or guerrilla filmmaking films.
Zharku has set out to back voices that he believes are relevant and powerful with international reach. For Zharku, it is important that the stories of filmmakers and actors are heard and that the growing swell of new Kosovar talent is nurtured.[citation needed]
Festival Director
[edit]Zharku is a co-founder and former director of SKENA UP International Students Film and Theatre Festival in Pristina.
Jury Member
[edit]Zharku has been a Jury Member at international film festivals including:
- Tel-Aviv International Students Film Festival in Israel in 2010 (international competition).[4]
- Cottbus Film Festival in Germany in 2010 (short competition program).[5]
- Art Film Festival in Slovakia in 2010 (main competition program).[6]
- Munich International Student's Festival in Germany 2011.[7]
- ACT Festival in Bilbao 2010.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ The Balkan Chronicle Retrieved April, 2012.
- ^ Robert Bosch Stiftung Archived 2012-05-17 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved April, 2012.
- ^ Cineuropa Retrieved April 2012.
- ^ Tel-Aviv International Student Festival Archived November 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved April, 2012.
- ^ Cottbus Film Festival Archived 2012-04-05 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved April, 2012.
- ^ Art Film Festival Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved April, 2012.
- ^ Munich International Student's Festival Retrieved April, 2012.
- ^ ACT Festival Archived 2012-07-19 at archive.today Retrieved April, 2012.
External links
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