The word festival originates from the Latin word festivus, meaning to celebrate and to rejoice.
The idea for a festival dedicated to children and young filmmakers grew out of a desire to bring the often unseen efforts of passionate filmmakers and emerging talents into the spotlight, giving them the opportunity to reach a wider audience and celebrate their work.
One of DUFF’s guiding principles is to bring young filmmakers together, encourage the exchange of ideas and creative energy, while at the same time fostering film and media literacy among children and young people.

Dubrovnik Cinemas, a public cultural institution, is dedicated to the development, presentation, and promotion of film and media culture, with a particular focus on improving film and media literacy among children and young people. In addition to year-round film screenings, the institution organises a wide range of educational programmes, workshops, film reviews, and festivals, while also hosting various cultural and artistic events. Through these activities, Dubrovnik Cinemas collaborates with numerous partners across the cultural and creative industries.
Šipan Film School is a non-profit association committed to promoting media culture, primarily through the development of media literacy. Its main mission is to strengthen media competence by encouraging children aged 9 to 14 to use new technologies and media creatively, critically, and responsibly.
The association is best known for organising the Šipan Summer Film School, which has been held annually since 2003. Over the years, it has received numerous awards and recognitions for its contribution to film education and media literacy.