Creating His Own Path - The Story of Filip Čizmadija

This is based on an interview with the participant, incorporating his personal reflections, memories, and experiences. His perspective has been carefully adapted and written in the third person while preserving the authenticity of his voice as part of the In Their Element project.

He considers enrolling in Media Culture and Management to have been a turning point in his life. Initially, he wanted to study Acting and Puppetry at the academy, as he had been involved in acting for many years in his free time, ever since his youth.

At that time, he met a student who is now a journalist and who was writing an article about him. It was through her that he learned a new programme, Media Culture and Management, had opened at the academy that year. That evening, he came home and asked his parents, “Is this a sign that I should take this path?” Now, several years later, he is completing his third year of Media Culture and Management studies.

At university, he always finds ways to connect acting with his coursework. During his second year, he attended a course focused on dramaturgy, and he was surprised by how naturally it came to him. His work was ultimately selected among the six best student projects.

For now, he has stepped away from developing his acting skills and expression, choosing instead to dedicate himself to his field of study. After graduation, he plans to see where life takes him.

Since his remaining exams involve a great deal of theory and reading, he decided to take up painting on canvas as a hobby—something different that would help break the routine of studying. He attended painting classes with his mentor at a local gallery. Their painting group consists of three members, and they meet once a week to practice together.

The gallery he currently attends continues to support their artistic work, and his mentor is actively working on expanding opportunities so they can keep creating together in the future.

Alongside his university exams, he is also required to complete an internship, which he is currently undertaking at the PRONI Centre for Youth. This experience has opened doors to new knowledge and opportunities, particularly in the fields of digital marketing and journalism.

During our interview, he revealed that the PRONI Centre is preparing something very exciting for the autumn, although he preferred to keep the details a surprise for now.

Another passion he hopes to pursue in the future, when he has more free time, is singing. As he shared during our interview, many of his acquaintances believe he has a beautiful singing voice. He was actively involved in a choir for a period of time and also played the piano in church.

At the academy, there is a piano available for students who are learning to play, and whenever he has an exam, he often hears someone practicing. In a way, this inspired him to consider learning the piano himself. However, for the time being, he has decided to focus on his studies and internship.

“I have always felt most like myself wherever I could express my creativity,” Filip says.

Although it was difficult for him to open up about his condition, the possibility of encouraging and helping someone else gave him the strength to share his story.

Filip has cerebral palsy and encourages others to be brave and keep fighting. As he explains, “Cerebral palsy has a thousand faces.” Some days can feel almost perfect, while others can be incredibly challenging.

As a person with a disability, he wants to serve as an example to others, especially to fellow students who also live with disabilities. He believes that through perseverance, dedication, and hard work, people can achieve recognition and create meaningful paths for themselves.

There is one sentence he remembers from a friend of his mother's:

“Who will, if not me? When, if not now?”

He hopes to inspire others and wants people to be able to say:

“If Filip succeeded, then all of us can succeed too.”

If his journey, creativity, and passion inspired you, be sure to follow him on social media below and support his work. Every follow, like, and kind word helps creators continue doing what they love.