I am Maxim Záborský and I have always admired artists. The ability to create anything out of nothing while giving it value that remains.
In art, specifically movies, it was great to see something where I felt there was passion and meaning behind it. Even if that vision may not have been perfectly brought to life, there was an attempt, an ambition, and that in itself is valuable.
I have watched movies since early childhood and developed a love for visual storytelling. I did not have much knowledge and my taste was not yet refined enough, but something was there. As a child, I always talked about wanting to be a director. This is where the idea to start creating was born.
I had a gut feeling that I didn't know enough about movies to ever make a movie that would be really good. And so I just watched and analyzed them. I tried to make sure I understood what made them good. Over time, my taste began to turn towards artistically abstract films, which greatly changed my view of what this art form could do.
However, these developments have not affected the fact that I still appreciate films that can engage, entertain and excite. Therefore, as a beginning screenwriter and director, it is about finding a balance between an artistically demanding and an audience-attractive storytelling style.
Story
After elementary school, I was faced with the decision of choosing a secondary school. I decided on the secondary school of St. Jozef Robotník in Žilina, where the main focus was graphic design, but video was also part of the package.
I worked on several one-minute short films without a plot to practice the principles of filmmaking.
The first major project I was a part of was the start-up school film club FilmCrew. I worked as one of the screenwriters on our first short film called Bridge (2021). This short film won at the French film festival Festiclip. It was a big step forward for me in terms of new experiences.
As a graduation thesis project, I decided to shoot my first short film, which was entirely my vision. Despite the doubts I had at the beginning, I found that this is the path I want to follow. Every part of the realization, from calling people, finding locations, discussing characters with the actors, drawing plans, writing scripts, writing schedules or filming itself, were amazing experiences.
Even though the movie is very imperfect, I love it simply because it exists. It shows what I was able to create with limited resources, the people around me and the current state of my knowledge. With this short film called Canistherapy (2022), I also advanced in the amateur film competition.
After graduation, our film club FilmCrew participated in Festiclip 2022 in France, where we were invited as guests.
During our stay in Paris, we visited the film school DBIMA (Don Bosco International Media Academy). Here, I had the opportunity to talk to the school principal and at the same time undergo an admissions interview. To my great surprise, they informed me the next day that I was accepted.
Out of 60 applicants, they accept only 8 students a year, and I would be the first Slovak to study there. It is a huge opportunity for me to study and create projects with the help of professionals in France, a country known for its cinematography.
What exactly will the money from this campaign be used for?
The money is intended for tuition and boarding for the first year of study.
Dormitory – €6,500/ 10 months
Money for studies:
1st year tuition – €11,640
1st installment – €3,165
2nd installment – €1,695
3rd installment – €1,695
4th installment – €1,695
5th installment – €1,695
6th installment – €1,695
Basic utilities – €1,860
I decided for this challenge through the donio.sk website, as studying is very financially demanding and I live only with my mother, who is a single parent, and my younger sister, who is still in school. The funds raised will be used to pay school fees, boarding school and the most necessary aids to get started. I want to provide for the remaining living expenses on my own in the form of a part-time job during my studies.
I would very much like to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to study in France. And with your support and financial help, I can gain the courage to handle what awaits me on the journey I have started.
Thank you all for every contribution that will help me study.