INDEPENDENT PROJECT

House of Velvet
Igor Smitka + co-director Ivana Hucíková

Nominee

Title:	House of Velvet
Director:	Igor Smitka + co-director Ivana Hucíková
Production Company:	Superfilm, No Cap collective
Instagram Tag:	director @igorsmitka co-director @huncutikova Producer @superfilm_production Co-producer @nocap___collective Cinematography @dusanhusar Set Designer @ninaferiancova Editor @basabubelova Cast @kikihouseofvelvet
How does this production embrace sustainability?:	Film explores ballroom culture and the safe space it provides in the Central Eastern European environment. For us it's very important to touch upon queer issues and human rights especially in this region. It's also interesting to observe this subculture in a very different context than where it originated from. Central & Eastern Europe definitely has its own set of challenges - Slovakia is going backwards when it comes to queer rights and lgbtq+ people are becoming a political target. We believe it’s important to portray how ballroom culture targets and softens these issues. What could be perceived as something purely performative, aesthetical or fashion oriented by some, is actually deeply activistic for others.
Synopsis:	House of Velvet is a short film that follows a day in the life of the Kiki House of Velvet members. Scattered moments from their everyday experiences in the outside world dissolve when everyone meets again in the safety within their chosen family. Scripted scenes merged with authentic and lived experiences of the characters show how the ballroom culture intertwines with their lives & vice versa.