Creative Lab of Audiovisual Production and Activism
Young filmmakers and activists changing the world through film, one frame at a time. A non-profit from Zagreb, Croatia, founded in 2026.
KLAPA was founded in 2026 in Zagreb by three people who had spent years running international youth film programmes – above all the International Youth Media Summit and the Seven Issues Film Festival – and wanted to give them a home of their own in Croatia.
Why? Because we believe film is the best laboratory for social change. By making their own films, young people learn to think critically about media, connect with activists and civil-society organisations, and tackle global problems at a local level. Hence the lab. Hence the klapa – Croatian for clapperboard.
We work with young people aged 14 to 30: filmmakers, multimedia artists, activists, pupils and students – and with everyone who wants to watch, debate and act.
An international short-film festival for filmmakers aged 18 to 30, divided into seven categories – one for each global issue. The first edition took place in July 2025 at Edison Cinema in Karlovac, Croatia, as part of the 20th International Youth Media Summit. Second edition: Paris, 2026.
More about the festivalFounders and the association's authorised representatives, elected for the 2026–2031 term.
President
Filmmaker and video editor, in film since childhood. With IYMS since 2019, now vice-president of its Youth Committee and a Summit organiser. MA in Public Relations from the Catholic University of Croatia. When not editing – dance, ballet and choreography.
Vice-President
Communication scientist completing an MA in Public Relations at the Catholic University of Croatia, with experience in TV production and film projects. Croatia's IYMS delegate since 2023 (Wisconsin, Zanzibar), co-directing and editing the Summit's media projects.
Executive Director
In audiovisual media since 2009. Has chaired the International Youth Media Summit's Youth Committee since 2016 and co-coordinates the Youth Cinema Network. He is an MSc student in Interactive Media Technology at KTH Stockholm and collaborates with the Croatian Film Association.
Want to submit a film, host a workshop, become a member or a partner? Drop us a line.
antonio@kreativnilabos.com