Ahead of its 39th edition, Poland’s Warsaw Film Festival is betting on timely topics.
“The role of filmmakers, and artists in general, is to react,” says festival director Stefan Laudyn.
“For years, we have been showing films that criticize the situation in various countries, not just in Poland. We try to avoid puff pieces.”
While there is space for “lighter topics” as well, supporting Ukraine – and Ukrainian filmmakers – remains one of the priorities.
“We initiated the first solidarity action with Ukraine back in 2014, after the annexation of Crimea, we also supported Oleg Sentsov. Last year, we featured the entire Ukrainian competition from Odesa International Film Festival, which couldn’t take place due to the war.”
This year, eight Ukrainian productions and co-productions will be shown at the fest. Including “Diagnosis: Dissent” by Denys Tarasov, about punitive psychiatry used by the Kgb, and Taras Dron’s “The Glass House,” where...
“The role of filmmakers, and artists in general, is to react,” says festival director Stefan Laudyn.
“For years, we have been showing films that criticize the situation in various countries, not just in Poland. We try to avoid puff pieces.”
While there is space for “lighter topics” as well, supporting Ukraine – and Ukrainian filmmakers – remains one of the priorities.
“We initiated the first solidarity action with Ukraine back in 2014, after the annexation of Crimea, we also supported Oleg Sentsov. Last year, we featured the entire Ukrainian competition from Odesa International Film Festival, which couldn’t take place due to the war.”
This year, eight Ukrainian productions and co-productions will be shown at the fest. Including “Diagnosis: Dissent” by Denys Tarasov, about punitive psychiatry used by the Kgb, and Taras Dron’s “The Glass House,” where...
- 10/5/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
We can tell something is amiss the moment Nina (Maren Eggert) smiles and reminds her son Lars (Jona Levin Nicolai) that they only have “ten days left.” The way she says it carries a shared understanding. That he knew she’d be swamped with rehearsals gearing up for the concert she’s conducting. That he agreed to give her that space and time. So why does he look so pained? Why does her inability to not answer her phone make him so angry? What has changed? What hasn’t she realized yet?
Writer-director Hanna Antonina Wojcik Slak wastes little time providing the answer once Not a Word moves from their home to school. Hidden behind the group of boys Lars approaches after being ignored yet again by his mother is a photo memorial for a student. We don’t need details to know it was a tragic death. Whether suicide,...
Writer-director Hanna Antonina Wojcik Slak wastes little time providing the answer once Not a Word moves from their home to school. Hidden behind the group of boys Lars approaches after being ignored yet again by his mother is a photo memorial for a student. We don’t need details to know it was a tragic death. Whether suicide,...
- 9/11/2023
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
by Cláudio Alves
It's always curious how shared themes and repeated motifs can spread through a film festival's program. At TIFF '23, motherhood is among the hottest topics, especially concerning the bonds and barriers between single mothers and their adolescent sons. Another more unexpected trend is how many titles enjoying their North American or World Premieres recall Todd Field's TÁR, as if that work had echoed a shape-shift sound through the art film scene. None of this means cineastes are copying each other or that festival programmers are indulging in redundancy. It's merely a thought-provoking coincidence that can lead the viewer down the road to comparison and offer new avenues of analysis. Amid the similarities, you may grow to treasure each project's specificity, their points of divergence.
Consider Hanna Antonina Wojcik-Slak's Not a Word, where a busy orchestra conductor raising her son alone is confronted with the boy's inherent unknowability…...
It's always curious how shared themes and repeated motifs can spread through a film festival's program. At TIFF '23, motherhood is among the hottest topics, especially concerning the bonds and barriers between single mothers and their adolescent sons. Another more unexpected trend is how many titles enjoying their North American or World Premieres recall Todd Field's TÁR, as if that work had echoed a shape-shift sound through the art film scene. None of this means cineastes are copying each other or that festival programmers are indulging in redundancy. It's merely a thought-provoking coincidence that can lead the viewer down the road to comparison and offer new avenues of analysis. Amid the similarities, you may grow to treasure each project's specificity, their points of divergence.
Consider Hanna Antonina Wojcik-Slak's Not a Word, where a busy orchestra conductor raising her son alone is confronted with the boy's inherent unknowability…...
- 9/11/2023
- by Cláudio Alves
- FilmExperience
“Not a Word,” which is being sold by international sales agency Beta Cinema, will have its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in the competitive Platform section. Variety speaks to the film’s writer-director, Hanna Slak, and debuts its trailer.
“Not a Word” tells the story of a relationship crisis between a parent and her teenage son. Maren Eggert, who won the best acting award at the Berlin Film Festival for “I’m Your Man,” plays an ambitious orchestra conductor, Nina. Jona Levin Nicolai plays her moody son, Lars. Following the death of a girl at Lars’ school, the boy has a mysterious accident, but refuses to talk about it. Nina decides to take a break from city life and together they head to their vacation home on an island on the rugged Atlantic coast. As a storm gathers, their brittle relationship, wreathed in silence, is pushed to breaking point.
“Not a Word” tells the story of a relationship crisis between a parent and her teenage son. Maren Eggert, who won the best acting award at the Berlin Film Festival for “I’m Your Man,” plays an ambitious orchestra conductor, Nina. Jona Levin Nicolai plays her moody son, Lars. Following the death of a girl at Lars’ school, the boy has a mysterious accident, but refuses to talk about it. Nina decides to take a break from city life and together they head to their vacation home on an island on the rugged Atlantic coast. As a storm gathers, their brittle relationship, wreathed in silence, is pushed to breaking point.
- 8/29/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Next Goal Wins (Taika Waititi, 2023).The lineup is being unveiled for the 2023 edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, starting with 60 selections from the Gala and Special Presentations programs. The festival takes place from September 7–17, 2023.Gala PRESENTATIONSConcrete Utopia (Um Tae-Hwa)Dumb Money (Craig Gillespie)Fair Play (Chloe Domont)Flora and Son (John Carney)Hate to Love: Nickelback (Leigh Brooks)Lee (Ellen Kuras)Next Goal Wins (Taika Waititi)Nyad (Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin)Punjab ’95 (Honey Trehan)Solo (Sophie Dupuis)The End We Start From (Mahalia Belo)The Movie Emperor (Ning Hao)The New Boy (Warwick Thornton) The Royal Hotel (Kitty Green)The Holdovers.Special Presentationsa Difficult Year (Éric Toledano, Olivier Nakache)A Normal Family (Hur Jin-ho)American Fiction (Cord Jefferson)Anatomy of a Fall (Justine Triet)Close to You (Dominic Savage)Days of Happiness (Chloé Robichaud)The Rescue (Daniela Goggi)Ezra (Tony Goldwyn)Fingernails (Christos Nikou)Four Daughters (Kaouther Ben Hania...
- 8/14/2023
- MUBI
The Toronto International Film Festival lineup keeps rolling in, with Midnight Madness, Discovery, and Platform programs being unveiled this week. Leading the pack is the North American premiere of Harmony Korine’s infrared action feature Aggro DR1FT, while new films from Tarsem, Larry Charles, Patricia Arquette, Molly Manning Walker, and more were also added.
“Sides will be split — both figuratively and literally (on screen) — as Midnight Madness returns to the Royal Alexandra Theatre with another stimulating concoction of unpredictable shock and ‘y’arr!’ cinema,” said Peter Kuplowsky, TIFF International Programmer, Midnight Madness. “Featuring two timely satiric provocations from Saudi Arabia (Naga) and Serbia (Working Class Goes to Hell) — nations that are making their section debut — this year’s madness infectiously ignites with 11 o’clock numbers that go all the way to midnight courtesy of Larry Charles’ bonkers and bawdy Dicks: The Musical. A menagerie of tastes will be sated, so bottoms up!
“Sides will be split — both figuratively and literally (on screen) — as Midnight Madness returns to the Royal Alexandra Theatre with another stimulating concoction of unpredictable shock and ‘y’arr!’ cinema,” said Peter Kuplowsky, TIFF International Programmer, Midnight Madness. “Featuring two timely satiric provocations from Saudi Arabia (Naga) and Serbia (Working Class Goes to Hell) — nations that are making their section debut — this year’s madness infectiously ignites with 11 o’clock numbers that go all the way to midnight courtesy of Larry Charles’ bonkers and bawdy Dicks: The Musical. A menagerie of tastes will be sated, so bottoms up!
- 8/3/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Toronto — TIFF today unveiled the 10 World Premiere features that comprise the Platform programme for 2023, along with the 2023 Platform jury members: Academy Award–winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, joined by Cannes Jury Prize–winning director, writer, and actor Nadine Labaki, and 2022 Platform Prize–winning filmmaker Anthony Shim.
Since its introduction in 2015, Platform has celebrated and showcased films with unique directorial perspectives. The 10 films in the 2023 programme are eligible for the Platform Prize, an award of $20,000 Cad given to the best film in the programme, selected by an in-person international jury.
“I am delighted to announce that we have an international dream jury with acclaimed filmmakers Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki, and Anthony Shim as jury members for the Platform programme at TIFF,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “Together, they represent the bold and independent spirit of the Platform Prize.”
Platform is TIFF’s competitive programme that champions bold directorial visions. The...
Since its introduction in 2015, Platform has celebrated and showcased films with unique directorial perspectives. The 10 films in the 2023 programme are eligible for the Platform Prize, an award of $20,000 Cad given to the best film in the programme, selected by an in-person international jury.
“I am delighted to announce that we have an international dream jury with acclaimed filmmakers Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki, and Anthony Shim as jury members for the Platform programme at TIFF,” said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. “Together, they represent the bold and independent spirit of the Platform Prize.”
Platform is TIFF’s competitive programme that champions bold directorial visions. The...
- 8/2/2023
- by Movies Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
The Toronto International Film Festival has announced the world premieres of ten features that will be included in the 2023 Platform Programme for this year’s festivities. Anita Lee, the Chief Programming Officer of TIFF, has shared her excitement for this year’s entries, “I am delighted to announce that we have an international dream jury with acclaimed filmmakers Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki, and Anthony Shim as jury members for the Platform programme at TIFF. Together, they represent the bold and independent spirit of the Platform Prize.”
Robyn Citizen, Director, Programming & Platform Lead, has added her own statement of enthusiasm for the line-up they have compiled. “We are thrilled to present this year’s extraordinary films in the Platform programme, and especially delighted to present Kristoffer Borgli’s latest film Dream Scenario, starring Nicolas Cage, as Platform’s opening film. This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture...
Robyn Citizen, Director, Programming & Platform Lead, has added her own statement of enthusiasm for the line-up they have compiled. “We are thrilled to present this year’s extraordinary films in the Platform programme, and especially delighted to present Kristoffer Borgli’s latest film Dream Scenario, starring Nicolas Cage, as Platform’s opening film. This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture...
- 8/2/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Beta Cinema has boarded international sales on “Not a Word,” which will have its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in the competitive Platform section. The cast is led by Maren Eggert, who won the best acting award at the Berlin Film Festival for “I’m Your Man.”
The film is written and directed by Hanna Slak, whose credits include the Slovenian Oscar entry “The Miner,” and was lensed by Claire Mathon, the cinematographer of “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” “Saint-Omer,” “Stranger by the Lake” and “Spencer.”
Eggert plays ambitious musician and conductor Nina. When her teenage son, Lars, has a strange accident at school, she decides to take a break from city life and together they head to their vacation home on an island on the rugged Atlantic coast. Bound in silence, their already brittle relationship is pushed to the edge.
Jona Levin Nicolai co-stars as the provocative teenage son while Maryam Zaree,...
The film is written and directed by Hanna Slak, whose credits include the Slovenian Oscar entry “The Miner,” and was lensed by Claire Mathon, the cinematographer of “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” “Saint-Omer,” “Stranger by the Lake” and “Spencer.”
Eggert plays ambitious musician and conductor Nina. When her teenage son, Lars, has a strange accident at school, she decides to take a break from city life and together they head to their vacation home on an island on the rugged Atlantic coast. Bound in silence, their already brittle relationship is pushed to the edge.
Jona Levin Nicolai co-stars as the provocative teenage son while Maryam Zaree,...
- 8/2/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The Toronto Film Festival on Wednesday revealed the 10 titles in its Platform program, a sidebar that will tee off with A24’s Kristoffer Borgli comedy Dream Scenario starring Nicolas Cage. This year’s Platform includes movies from 12 countries across three continents, all of which are making their world premiere at TIFF, which this year runs from September 7-17.
In addition, the fest today unveiled this year’s Platform jury, which includes Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins as chair; Cannes Jury Prize–winning director, writer, and actor Nadine Labaki; and 2022 Platform Prize–winning filmmaker Anthony Shim.
The Platform program, going into its eighth year, is curated for its bold directorial visions. The movies in the 2023 program are eligible for the Platform Prize, an award of CA$20,000 selected by the in-person international jury.
Barry Jenkins
“I am delighted to announce that we have an international dream jury with acclaimed filmmakers Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki,...
In addition, the fest today unveiled this year’s Platform jury, which includes Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins as chair; Cannes Jury Prize–winning director, writer, and actor Nadine Labaki; and 2022 Platform Prize–winning filmmaker Anthony Shim.
The Platform program, going into its eighth year, is curated for its bold directorial visions. The movies in the 2023 program are eligible for the Platform Prize, an award of CA$20,000 selected by the in-person international jury.
Barry Jenkins
“I am delighted to announce that we have an international dream jury with acclaimed filmmakers Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki,...
- 8/2/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Barry Jenkins will head the jury for the competitive section.
Kristoffer Borgli’s Dream Scenario has been set as the opening night film for the Platform section at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) (Sept 7-17).
Barry Jenkins has been named jury chair for the competitive section, which according to the festival “champions bold directorial visions.” Other jury members are Nadine Labaki and Anthony Shim, whose Riceboy Sleeps won the Platform prize, which comes with an award of Cad $20,000, last year.
Among the other nine world premieres in this year’s section are Tarsem Singh Dhandwar’s Dear Jassi,...
Kristoffer Borgli’s Dream Scenario has been set as the opening night film for the Platform section at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) (Sept 7-17).
Barry Jenkins has been named jury chair for the competitive section, which according to the festival “champions bold directorial visions.” Other jury members are Nadine Labaki and Anthony Shim, whose Riceboy Sleeps won the Platform prize, which comes with an award of Cad $20,000, last year.
Among the other nine world premieres in this year’s section are Tarsem Singh Dhandwar’s Dear Jassi,...
- 8/2/2023
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
“Dream Scenario,” a bizarre comedy starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, will be one of 10 films competing in the Platform program at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF organizers announced on Wednesday.
The films will be competing for the Platform Prize, a $20,000 Cad award that will be given to the film chosen as the section’s best by a jury consisting of directors Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki and Anthony Shim (who won the Platform Prize last year for “Riceboy Sleeps”).
In a statement released by TIFF, programming director and Platform lead Robyn Citizen singled out “Dream Scenario,” which will serve as the section’s opening-night film, and said, “This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture — especially ‘going viral’ — and its impact on the way that we interact with others in our day-to-day life. Cage delivers some of his finest work.” She went on to say,...
The films will be competing for the Platform Prize, a $20,000 Cad award that will be given to the film chosen as the section’s best by a jury consisting of directors Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki and Anthony Shim (who won the Platform Prize last year for “Riceboy Sleeps”).
In a statement released by TIFF, programming director and Platform lead Robyn Citizen singled out “Dream Scenario,” which will serve as the section’s opening-night film, and said, “This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture — especially ‘going viral’ — and its impact on the way that we interact with others in our day-to-day life. Cage delivers some of his finest work.” She went on to say,...
- 8/2/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The Toronto International Film Festival has today announced the 10 world premiere features that comprise its Platform program for the 2023 edition, along with the 2023 Platform jury members: Academy Award–winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins serves as jury chair; joined by Cannes Jury Prize–winning director, writer, and actor Nadine Labaki; and 2022 Platform Prize–winning filmmaker Anthony Shim. Both Jenkins and Shim have previously shown work in the section, and Shim was awarded program’s highest prize in 2022 for his “Riceboy Sleeps.”
Per TIFF, “Since its introduction in 2015, Platform has celebrated and showcased films with unique directorial perspectives.” The section is the fest’s “competitive program that champions bold directorial visions.” The films selected for this year’s lineup come from 12 countries across three continents, all of which will be making their world premiere at TIFF.
This year’s lineup includes new films from Kristoffer Borgli, whose razor-sharp “Sick of Myself” recently hit America,...
Per TIFF, “Since its introduction in 2015, Platform has celebrated and showcased films with unique directorial perspectives.” The section is the fest’s “competitive program that champions bold directorial visions.” The films selected for this year’s lineup come from 12 countries across three continents, all of which will be making their world premiere at TIFF.
This year’s lineup includes new films from Kristoffer Borgli, whose razor-sharp “Sick of Myself” recently hit America,...
- 8/2/2023
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Kristoffer Borgli’s Dream Scenario comedy, starring Nicolas Cage with a hair transformation and Julianne Nicholson, will open the Toronto Film Festival’s Platform competition program with a world premiere.
The latest film from the director of Cannes gem Sick of Myself also stars Dylan Baker, Kate Berlant, Michael Cera, Dylan Gelula and Tim Meadows, and is part of a competitive program of emerging and established directors headed to Toronto with world premieres.
“This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture — especially going viral — and its impact on the way that we interact with others in our day-to-day life. Cage delivers some of his finest work,” Robyn Citizen, director, programming & platform lead at TIFF, said in a statement about choosing A24’s Dream Scenario as the opening film for the competitive sidebar.
Toronto unveiled 10 features with world premieres for the festival section where international films outside the Hollywood studio orbit compete.
The latest film from the director of Cannes gem Sick of Myself also stars Dylan Baker, Kate Berlant, Michael Cera, Dylan Gelula and Tim Meadows, and is part of a competitive program of emerging and established directors headed to Toronto with world premieres.
“This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture — especially going viral — and its impact on the way that we interact with others in our day-to-day life. Cage delivers some of his finest work,” Robyn Citizen, director, programming & platform lead at TIFF, said in a statement about choosing A24’s Dream Scenario as the opening film for the competitive sidebar.
Toronto unveiled 10 features with world premieres for the festival section where international films outside the Hollywood studio orbit compete.
- 8/2/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
European Film Promotion highlights 28 European films for the 90th Academy AwardsPutting a spotlight on a record number of 28 European Oscar® entries, Efp (European Film Promotion) offers additional screenings of the films in L.A. for Academy members, journalists, U.S. distributors and international buyers. With the special support of the Efp member organizations, the event helps the productions to stand out among a record number of 92 submissions for the 90th Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
This year the Efp Screenings Of Oscar® Entries From Europe were held from November 2–15 at the state of the art Dick Clark Screening Room. The campaign is financially supported by the Creative Europe — Media Programme of the European Union and the participating Efp member organizations.
Many of the European Oscar submissions feature European Shooting Stars or were made by Efp-related filmmakers. Notably four films were realized by participants of this year’s edition...
This year the Efp Screenings Of Oscar® Entries From Europe were held from November 2–15 at the state of the art Dick Clark Screening Room. The campaign is financially supported by the Creative Europe — Media Programme of the European Union and the participating Efp member organizations.
Many of the European Oscar submissions feature European Shooting Stars or were made by Efp-related filmmakers. Notably four films were realized by participants of this year’s edition...
- 11/17/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Sha Gua (To Kill a Watermelon), from Chinese director Zehao Gao, was awarded the Grand Prix of the 33rd Warsaw International Film Festival, which drew to a close Saturday in the Polish capital.
Also among the winners were French director Joan Chemla, who received best director honors for Si tu voyais son coeur (If You Saw His Heart).
The special jury award went to Allen Dizon and Angelie Sanoy, the stars of Bomba (The Bomb) by Philippine director Ralston Gonzales Jover.
A special mention was given to the Slovenia/Croatia co-production Rudar (The Miner), helmed by Hanna Slak.
...
Also among the winners were French director Joan Chemla, who received best director honors for Si tu voyais son coeur (If You Saw His Heart).
The special jury award went to Allen Dizon and Angelie Sanoy, the stars of Bomba (The Bomb) by Philippine director Ralston Gonzales Jover.
A special mention was given to the Slovenia/Croatia co-production Rudar (The Miner), helmed by Hanna Slak.
...
- 10/21/2017
- by Vladimir Kozlov
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Slovenia has selected Rudar (Miner), directed by Hanna Antonina Wojcik Slak, for best foreign-language film Oscar consideration.
Based on a true story, the drama is centered on Alija, a Bosnian miner who migrated to Slovenia. In an abandoned mine, he discovers the remains of victims of post-World War II reprisal killings. In his determination to fight for a decent burial of the executed people, he goes against his managers and loses his job.
Co-produced by Slovenia and Croatia, Miner premiered at the Slovenian Film Festival earlier this month and is scheduled to open in theaters Sept. 28.
Slak's...
Based on a true story, the drama is centered on Alija, a Bosnian miner who migrated to Slovenia. In an abandoned mine, he discovers the remains of victims of post-World War II reprisal killings. In his determination to fight for a decent burial of the executed people, he goes against his managers and loses his job.
Co-produced by Slovenia and Croatia, Miner premiered at the Slovenian Film Festival earlier this month and is scheduled to open in theaters Sept. 28.
Slak's...
- 9/19/2017
- by Vladimir Kozlov
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Last year and again this year we are invited to attend the Sarajevo Film Festival by Asja Makarević, Project Manager for Sarajevo Talent Campus. If you are going, look for Peter Belsito there!
Sarajevo Film Festival (August 16-24, 2013), now in its 19th year, is an international film festival with special focus on the region of Southeast Europe, it provides high quality programming, a strong industry segment, an educational platform for young filmmakers, the presence of numerous representatives of film industry, film authors and media representatives from all over the world, as well as over 100,000 visitors, thus confirming the festival's status, renowned and recognized by film professionals as well as by its audience.
It serves as a catalyst for cooperation within the region, and establishes connections with partners from all over the world. It also represents a platform for development of film business in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region, as well as setting new standards of festival organization and film presentation. While Karlovy Vary Film Festival has the Best of the East which gives a good view of finished films from Eastern Europe and is especially kind to journalists around the world, Sarajevo simultaneously hosts Cinelink, a very pro-active co-production market and workshop and Talent Campus which is a part of the Berlinale. This general networking of the world film industry is even more interesting because of its location in the city of Sarajevo itself. After the 4 year long siege of Sarajevo, it was founded as a means to recreate civil society of the City in 1995.
American actor/activist Danny Glover will curate and present the award for this year's Katrin Cartlidge Foundation Award to a new cinematic voice whose work embodies Katrin Cartlidge’s “integrity of spirit and commitment to independent film”. Cartlidge, who died in 2002, was a British actress best known for her work with Mike Leigh and whose last role in the Bosnian filmmaker Danis Tanović’s No Man’s Land. Over the past nine years the Foundation has appointed a curator, selected from Cartlidge’s friends and colleagues, who in turn chooses a recipient for the annual award, a cash bursary, which is announced at a special red carpet gala at the Festival.
This year, all the selections of the Sff Competition Programme will present a total of 50 films. This brings the best of regional cinema and follows the Sarajevo Film Festival strategy of discovering new talents, approaches and tendencies rooted in the world cinema today.
For the final line-up of the Competition Program, programmers and the Sarajevo Film Festival team saw 750 films from the region, including 200 feature films, 150 documentaries and 400 short and animated films. This year's selection, but also the general interest in our Competition selections, encourages the Sarajevo Film Festival in its determination to continue working on strengthening regional film production, promotion and film distribution. This is even more strongly emphasized by the fact that this year, in its three Competition selections, the Festival brings 14 world premieres, 7 international and 19 regional ones.
Competition Program - Feature Films
World Premieres
Carmen, Romania, 88 min. Director: Doru Nițescu, Screenplay: Tudor Voican, Doru Nițescu
Runaway Day, Greece, Black & White, 80 min. Director and screenplay: Dimitris Bavellas
Talea, Austria, 75 min. Director: Katharina Mückstein, Screenplay: Selina Gnos, Katharina Mückstein
With Mom / Sa Mamom, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Slovenia, 80 min.
Director and screenplay: Faruk Lončarević
Wolf / Lupu, Romania, 77 min. Director and screenplay: Bogdan Mustață
Regional Premieres
In Bloom / Grzeli Nateli Dgeebi, Georgia, 102 min. Director: Nana Ekvtimishvili ♀, Simon Groß, Screenplay: Nana Ekvtimishvili ♀ . Isa: Memento
Soldate Jeannette, Austria, 79 min. Director and screenplay: Daniel Hoesl
A Stranger / Obrana I Zaštita, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 87 min. Director and screenplay: Bobo Jelčić. Berlinale Forum.
When Evening Falls On Bucharest Or Metabolism / Când Se Lasă Seara Peste Bucureşti Sau Metabolism, Romania, 93 min. Director and screenplay: Corneliu Porumboiu
Documentary Competition:
World Premieres
A Slave (Bosnia and Herzegovina) by Bosnian director Pjer Žalica, known internationally for fiction films Days and Hours and Fuse [trailer]Autofocus, director: Boris Poljak (Croatia)Crazy About You, Danilo Marunović (Montenegro)Escape, Srdjan Keča (Serbia-Bosnia and Herzegovina) who was the winner of Best Central and East European Documentary Award at Jihlava for Mirage and Best Balkan Documentary at Prizren Dokufest for A Letter to DadFinding Family, Chris Leslie, Oggi Tomic (Bosnia and Herzegovina-uk)Patient, Zdenko Jurilj (Bosnia and Herzegovina)Screens, Hanna Slak ♀(Slovenia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Germany)
International Premieres
Here... I Mean There, Laura Capatana – Juller♀ (Romania), winner of Romanian Days Award For Feature Film at the Transylvania International Film FestivalMarried to the Swiss Franc, Arsen Oremović (Croatia)Mother Europe, Petra Seliškar♀ (Slovenia-Macedonia-Croatia) whose Grandmothers of Revolution played in Sarajevo’s documentary competition in 2006Yugoslavia, How Ideology Moved Our Collective Body, Marta Popivoda ♀(Serbia-France-Germany) which played in 2013 Berlinale Forum Expanded
Regional Premieres
The Cleaners, Konstantinos Georgousis (Greece), Idfa competition entryGangster of Love, Nebojša Slijepčević (Croatia-Germany-Romania), winner of audience award at Zagrebdox and competition entry at Karlovy VaryThe Grocer, Dimitris Koutsiabasakos (Greece), audience award winner at the Thessaloniki Documentary Film FestMy Fathers, My Mother & Me, Paul-Julien Robert (Austria), world premiere Visions du RéelMy Kith and Kin, Rodion Ismailov (Azerbaijan), world premiere Visions du RéelRegina, Diana Groó ♀ (Hungary-uk-Germany)Sickfuckpeople, Juri Rechinsky (Austria)Unplugged, Mladen Kovačević (Serbia-Finland), world premiere Visions du RéelThe Verdict, Djuro Gavran (Croatia)When I Was a Boy, I Was a Girl, Ivana Todorović ♀ (Serbia), Berlinale Shorts title
Gala Screening - Out Of Competition
Occupation, the 27th Picture, Pavo Marinković (Czech Republic-Croatia) Competition ProgramSarajevo Film Festival Competition Program screens world, international and regional premieres of feature, short, animated and documentary films from: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Malta, Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldavia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey. Films selected in Competition Programmes for feature, short and documentary film compete for the prestigious Heart of Sarajevo Awards. Feature FilmHeart of Sarajevo for Best Film - 16,000 EurosSpecial Jury Prize - 10,000 Euros Heart of Sarajevo for Best Actress - 2,500 EurosHeart of Sarajevo for Best Actor - 2,500 Euros Short and Animated FilmHeart of Sarajevo for Best Film - 2,500 Euros Documentary FilmHeart of Sarajevo for Best Film - 3,000 Euros CinelinkCineLink, the backbone of the festival’s Industry Section, is a development and financing platform for carefully selected feature projects from Southeast Europe suited for European co-production. With an average conversion rate of its selected projects from development to production at 60% over the past decade, CineLink has grown into one of the most successful development and financing platforms in Europe. With its CineLink, CineLink Plus and Work in Progress sections it caters for projects in all stages of development, as well as projects in production and postproduction. CineLink also offers an awards fund of over 160,000 Euros in cash and services. CineLink is open for feature-length fiction film projects with potential for theatrical distribution, created by authors from Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Malta, Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldavia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey. As part of CineLink, a new project called Regional Forum was first launched in 2009, organised in cooperation with Screen International, one of the leading global magazines in film industry. Regional Forum, conceived as a platform offering a discussion framework for relevant national and regional film organisations and professionals from Southeast Europe, also encourages the harmonisation of national film policies and offers a possibility for exchange of good ideas and practices. Sarajevo Talent CampusSarajevo Talent Campus, the educational and networking platform for emerging filmmakers from Southeast Europe, was launched in 2007 in cooperation with Berlin International Film Festival and Berlinale Talent Campus. The programme offers inspiring lectures, panel discussions, and active critical debates, complemented by workshops, practical tutorials, screenings and inter-festival excursions for participants. The 7th Sarajevo Talent Campus, taking place from the 18th to the 24th of August, will be inviting scriptwriters, directors, actors, producers and film critics. Participation in Sarajevo Talent Campus is open to candidates from: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Malta, Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldavia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey. 18th Sarajevo Film Festival By Numbers:
• 21 Programmes • 210 Films From 57 Countries• 10 Venues • 330 Employees and 280 Volunteers• More Than 1000 Accredited Guests • More Than 800 Accredited Media Representatives From 32 Countries • More Than 100,000 Visitors At All The Programs
Sarajevo City Of FilmAs the continuation of the activities in accordance with the goals set by the Sarajevo Talent Campus, the Sarajevo City of Film Fund was launched in 2008. The project is aimed at testing the knowledge and experience gained by the Sarajevo Talent Campus participants through the practical application in realisation of low-budget short films, as well as development of cooperation between the young creative authors whose work represents the future of the regional cinematography. Sarajevo City of Film Project has so far led to the filming of 20 short films screened worldwide and won numerous festivals awards.
Sarajevo Film Festival (August 16-24, 2013), now in its 19th year, is an international film festival with special focus on the region of Southeast Europe, it provides high quality programming, a strong industry segment, an educational platform for young filmmakers, the presence of numerous representatives of film industry, film authors and media representatives from all over the world, as well as over 100,000 visitors, thus confirming the festival's status, renowned and recognized by film professionals as well as by its audience.
It serves as a catalyst for cooperation within the region, and establishes connections with partners from all over the world. It also represents a platform for development of film business in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region, as well as setting new standards of festival organization and film presentation. While Karlovy Vary Film Festival has the Best of the East which gives a good view of finished films from Eastern Europe and is especially kind to journalists around the world, Sarajevo simultaneously hosts Cinelink, a very pro-active co-production market and workshop and Talent Campus which is a part of the Berlinale. This general networking of the world film industry is even more interesting because of its location in the city of Sarajevo itself. After the 4 year long siege of Sarajevo, it was founded as a means to recreate civil society of the City in 1995.
American actor/activist Danny Glover will curate and present the award for this year's Katrin Cartlidge Foundation Award to a new cinematic voice whose work embodies Katrin Cartlidge’s “integrity of spirit and commitment to independent film”. Cartlidge, who died in 2002, was a British actress best known for her work with Mike Leigh and whose last role in the Bosnian filmmaker Danis Tanović’s No Man’s Land. Over the past nine years the Foundation has appointed a curator, selected from Cartlidge’s friends and colleagues, who in turn chooses a recipient for the annual award, a cash bursary, which is announced at a special red carpet gala at the Festival.
This year, all the selections of the Sff Competition Programme will present a total of 50 films. This brings the best of regional cinema and follows the Sarajevo Film Festival strategy of discovering new talents, approaches and tendencies rooted in the world cinema today.
For the final line-up of the Competition Program, programmers and the Sarajevo Film Festival team saw 750 films from the region, including 200 feature films, 150 documentaries and 400 short and animated films. This year's selection, but also the general interest in our Competition selections, encourages the Sarajevo Film Festival in its determination to continue working on strengthening regional film production, promotion and film distribution. This is even more strongly emphasized by the fact that this year, in its three Competition selections, the Festival brings 14 world premieres, 7 international and 19 regional ones.
Competition Program - Feature Films
World Premieres
Carmen, Romania, 88 min. Director: Doru Nițescu, Screenplay: Tudor Voican, Doru Nițescu
Runaway Day, Greece, Black & White, 80 min. Director and screenplay: Dimitris Bavellas
Talea, Austria, 75 min. Director: Katharina Mückstein, Screenplay: Selina Gnos, Katharina Mückstein
With Mom / Sa Mamom, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Slovenia, 80 min.
Director and screenplay: Faruk Lončarević
Wolf / Lupu, Romania, 77 min. Director and screenplay: Bogdan Mustață
Regional Premieres
In Bloom / Grzeli Nateli Dgeebi, Georgia, 102 min. Director: Nana Ekvtimishvili ♀, Simon Groß, Screenplay: Nana Ekvtimishvili ♀ . Isa: Memento
Soldate Jeannette, Austria, 79 min. Director and screenplay: Daniel Hoesl
A Stranger / Obrana I Zaštita, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 87 min. Director and screenplay: Bobo Jelčić. Berlinale Forum.
When Evening Falls On Bucharest Or Metabolism / Când Se Lasă Seara Peste Bucureşti Sau Metabolism, Romania, 93 min. Director and screenplay: Corneliu Porumboiu
Documentary Competition:
World Premieres
A Slave (Bosnia and Herzegovina) by Bosnian director Pjer Žalica, known internationally for fiction films Days and Hours and Fuse [trailer]Autofocus, director: Boris Poljak (Croatia)Crazy About You, Danilo Marunović (Montenegro)Escape, Srdjan Keča (Serbia-Bosnia and Herzegovina) who was the winner of Best Central and East European Documentary Award at Jihlava for Mirage and Best Balkan Documentary at Prizren Dokufest for A Letter to DadFinding Family, Chris Leslie, Oggi Tomic (Bosnia and Herzegovina-uk)Patient, Zdenko Jurilj (Bosnia and Herzegovina)Screens, Hanna Slak ♀(Slovenia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Germany)
International Premieres
Here... I Mean There, Laura Capatana – Juller♀ (Romania), winner of Romanian Days Award For Feature Film at the Transylvania International Film FestivalMarried to the Swiss Franc, Arsen Oremović (Croatia)Mother Europe, Petra Seliškar♀ (Slovenia-Macedonia-Croatia) whose Grandmothers of Revolution played in Sarajevo’s documentary competition in 2006Yugoslavia, How Ideology Moved Our Collective Body, Marta Popivoda ♀(Serbia-France-Germany) which played in 2013 Berlinale Forum Expanded
Regional Premieres
The Cleaners, Konstantinos Georgousis (Greece), Idfa competition entryGangster of Love, Nebojša Slijepčević (Croatia-Germany-Romania), winner of audience award at Zagrebdox and competition entry at Karlovy VaryThe Grocer, Dimitris Koutsiabasakos (Greece), audience award winner at the Thessaloniki Documentary Film FestMy Fathers, My Mother & Me, Paul-Julien Robert (Austria), world premiere Visions du RéelMy Kith and Kin, Rodion Ismailov (Azerbaijan), world premiere Visions du RéelRegina, Diana Groó ♀ (Hungary-uk-Germany)Sickfuckpeople, Juri Rechinsky (Austria)Unplugged, Mladen Kovačević (Serbia-Finland), world premiere Visions du RéelThe Verdict, Djuro Gavran (Croatia)When I Was a Boy, I Was a Girl, Ivana Todorović ♀ (Serbia), Berlinale Shorts title
Gala Screening - Out Of Competition
Occupation, the 27th Picture, Pavo Marinković (Czech Republic-Croatia) Competition ProgramSarajevo Film Festival Competition Program screens world, international and regional premieres of feature, short, animated and documentary films from: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Malta, Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldavia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey. Films selected in Competition Programmes for feature, short and documentary film compete for the prestigious Heart of Sarajevo Awards. Feature FilmHeart of Sarajevo for Best Film - 16,000 EurosSpecial Jury Prize - 10,000 Euros Heart of Sarajevo for Best Actress - 2,500 EurosHeart of Sarajevo for Best Actor - 2,500 Euros Short and Animated FilmHeart of Sarajevo for Best Film - 2,500 Euros Documentary FilmHeart of Sarajevo for Best Film - 3,000 Euros CinelinkCineLink, the backbone of the festival’s Industry Section, is a development and financing platform for carefully selected feature projects from Southeast Europe suited for European co-production. With an average conversion rate of its selected projects from development to production at 60% over the past decade, CineLink has grown into one of the most successful development and financing platforms in Europe. With its CineLink, CineLink Plus and Work in Progress sections it caters for projects in all stages of development, as well as projects in production and postproduction. CineLink also offers an awards fund of over 160,000 Euros in cash and services. CineLink is open for feature-length fiction film projects with potential for theatrical distribution, created by authors from Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Malta, Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldavia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey. As part of CineLink, a new project called Regional Forum was first launched in 2009, organised in cooperation with Screen International, one of the leading global magazines in film industry. Regional Forum, conceived as a platform offering a discussion framework for relevant national and regional film organisations and professionals from Southeast Europe, also encourages the harmonisation of national film policies and offers a possibility for exchange of good ideas and practices. Sarajevo Talent CampusSarajevo Talent Campus, the educational and networking platform for emerging filmmakers from Southeast Europe, was launched in 2007 in cooperation with Berlin International Film Festival and Berlinale Talent Campus. The programme offers inspiring lectures, panel discussions, and active critical debates, complemented by workshops, practical tutorials, screenings and inter-festival excursions for participants. The 7th Sarajevo Talent Campus, taking place from the 18th to the 24th of August, will be inviting scriptwriters, directors, actors, producers and film critics. Participation in Sarajevo Talent Campus is open to candidates from: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Malta, Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldavia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey. 18th Sarajevo Film Festival By Numbers:
• 21 Programmes • 210 Films From 57 Countries• 10 Venues • 330 Employees and 280 Volunteers• More Than 1000 Accredited Guests • More Than 800 Accredited Media Representatives From 32 Countries • More Than 100,000 Visitors At All The Programs
Sarajevo City Of FilmAs the continuation of the activities in accordance with the goals set by the Sarajevo Talent Campus, the Sarajevo City of Film Fund was launched in 2008. The project is aimed at testing the knowledge and experience gained by the Sarajevo Talent Campus participants through the practical application in realisation of low-budget short films, as well as development of cooperation between the young creative authors whose work represents the future of the regional cinematography. Sarajevo City of Film Project has so far led to the filming of 20 short films screened worldwide and won numerous festivals awards.
- 7/20/2013
- by Sydney Levine, Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
Feature film competition five world premieres and four regional premieres, including multi award-winner In Bloom.
The Sarajevo Film Festival (Sff), running August 16-24, has announced the Feature, Short and Documentary Competition titles comprising 50 films.
Selectors and the Sff team viewed 750 films from the region, including 200 feature films, 150 documentaries and 400 short and animated films.
Across the three Competition sections are 15 world, seven international and 18 regional premieres.
The main competition will feature five world premieres including Carmen, the first feature by Romanian director Doru Nitescu.
It is a family drama co-written by Tudor Voican, known for Periferic and Medal of Honour. The Filmex Romania production stars Doru Ana from Principles of Life, Adrian Titieni from Child’s Pose and Maia Morgenstern.
Greek director Dimitris Bavellas’ debut feature Runaway Day is a black-and-white film exploring how young Greeks feel lost in modern day Athens, a city under financial occupation. It starts Maria Skoula from Wasted Youth.
Austrian [link=nm...
The Sarajevo Film Festival (Sff), running August 16-24, has announced the Feature, Short and Documentary Competition titles comprising 50 films.
Selectors and the Sff team viewed 750 films from the region, including 200 feature films, 150 documentaries and 400 short and animated films.
Across the three Competition sections are 15 world, seven international and 18 regional premieres.
The main competition will feature five world premieres including Carmen, the first feature by Romanian director Doru Nitescu.
It is a family drama co-written by Tudor Voican, known for Periferic and Medal of Honour. The Filmex Romania production stars Doru Ana from Principles of Life, Adrian Titieni from Child’s Pose and Maia Morgenstern.
Greek director Dimitris Bavellas’ debut feature Runaway Day is a black-and-white film exploring how young Greeks feel lost in modern day Athens, a city under financial occupation. It starts Maria Skoula from Wasted Youth.
Austrian [link=nm...
- 7/18/2013
- by vladan.petkovic@gmail.com (Vladan Petkovic)
- ScreenDaily
Sarajevo Film Festival’s documentary competition will include seven world premieres. Non-competitive sidebar Kinoscope will feature 17 films.Scroll down for full lists
The documentary competition at the the 19th Sarajevo Film Festival is to include 20 shorts and features, with seven world premieres and four international debuts.
World premieres include Escape by Serbian director Srdjan Keča, whose previous film Mirage won the Best Central and East European Documentary Award at the Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival and Best Short Documentary award at London Short Film Festival; and A Slave by Bosnia’s Pjer Žalica, best known for fiction films Fuse and Days And Hours.
International premieres include Marta Popivoda’s Yugoslavia, How Ideology Moved Our Collective Body, which screened in Berlinale’s Forum Expanded section; and Here… I Mean There by Laura Capatana-Juller, winner of the Romanian Days Award For Feature Film at the Transylvania International Film Festival.
Among regional premieres, there are three...
The documentary competition at the the 19th Sarajevo Film Festival is to include 20 shorts and features, with seven world premieres and four international debuts.
World premieres include Escape by Serbian director Srdjan Keča, whose previous film Mirage won the Best Central and East European Documentary Award at the Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival and Best Short Documentary award at London Short Film Festival; and A Slave by Bosnia’s Pjer Žalica, best known for fiction films Fuse and Days And Hours.
International premieres include Marta Popivoda’s Yugoslavia, How Ideology Moved Our Collective Body, which screened in Berlinale’s Forum Expanded section; and Here… I Mean There by Laura Capatana-Juller, winner of the Romanian Days Award For Feature Film at the Transylvania International Film Festival.
Among regional premieres, there are three...
- 7/17/2013
- ScreenDaily
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