During GEW 2012, Croatia had 55 partners organize 61 activities that engaged 12,000 participants. But its focus was on the creation of an inspirational film—in collaboration with Thirty 7 Productions and Solar Productions from the United Kingdom, the Croatian Small Business Union supported by Croatia Airlines and 65 collaborators.
An inspiring film which captures the dreams and ambitions of Croatia’s entrepreneurs of tomorrow, set against a backdrop of how the country is helping to make those dreams a reality.
GEW / Croatia wanted to capture the country’s energy, spirit and passion – for the world to see.
There is an excitement and an energy within Croatia right now – and now is the time to get a strong and heartfelt message out to the young entrepreneurs of tomorrow, encouraging them to dream – and dream big!
This film will also put Croatia on a world stage, showing other countries how entrepreneurship is benefitting individuals, communities, society as a whole and, in time, the country’s future economy.
2013 is a significant year… a coming of age with 21 years since independence, full EU participation in July, the 10th EU day of the Entrepreneur in Croatia, and a strong entrepreneurial story to share with the world.
The film takes us on a journey from the classroom to the boardroom, showing how entrepreneurship is a genuine career choice for individuals, and also a potentially valuable boost to Croatia’s future global economic status.
Filming took place mainly during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November 2012, with many events taking place globally. Also, in December and January 2013.
In total we interviewed 77 representatives from various business sectors to culture, art and sports. Among the interviewees we have the President of the Republic of Croatia Ivo Josipovic, EU Ambassador in Croatia Paul Vandoren, Deputy minister of entrepreneurship Drazen Pros, Mayors of Cities of Zagreb-Split-Vukovar-Koprivnica-Hrvatska Kostajnica-Vodice, Adviser for economy in Zagreb county Krunoslav Pilko, innovators.
THE DOERS AND DREAMERS TELL THEIR STORIES.
Each of them had to answer to the same questions: Who you are – What do you do – What have you achieved – What is your dream and how do you dream Croatia in 5-10 years.
The core creative concept for the film was to show how anyone with the passion and determination has the opportunity to turn their dream into reality, no matter what their background or starting point in life.
This journey was broken down into three parts:
- the facilitators/organisations who help provide the support through school, university and beyond;
- the boardroom, where ‘the doers’ have already made it… we met some of the country’s top business people
- the sports arena where 12000 people shout Dream Croatia
We asked pupils to share their dreams on camera. We talked to existing SMEs and asked them to tell us about their business journeys – and what their ambitions are. We talked to Croatia’s top entrepreneurs and got their insight and perspective on being their own bosses. We showed a mix of industries and a vibrant economy including new and emerging industries which are also the key.
Croatia is a beautiful country in central Europe, with beautiful Adriatic Sea and this offers a rich visual backdrop for the film including aerial shots. We filmed at 21 locations including magnificant Plitvice lakes / National park, Cities of Zagreb-Split-Dubrovnik and many more amazing places offering lots of opportunities for collaboration and investments.
But also we were in the mine fields while Croatia is still under mines and lot of activities have to be undertaken to shorten the period of demining to give space young people to stay, live and work at home.
After Rio premiere, the second premiere will take place in Zagreb beginning of June. The film would then be distributed to schools and universities and other relevant organisations, companies and media.