Žilnik graduated from law school (University of Novi Sad). Prior to that, when he finished high school in his hometown of Novi Sad, he was offered a position as program director at Youth Tribune, which was a multidisciplinary cultural center in Novi Sad. It was here that Žilnik received his first practical experience working in arts management, and this position also allowed him to meet and collaborate with many important figures on the Yugoslav cultural scene. Žilnik worked in this capacity from 1961-63.