With a screening of Goran Radovanović’s film “Bauk” and the concert “An Evening of Film Music” performed by the Zemun Chamber Orchestra, this year’s “Dunav Film Fest” began last night in the Small Town of Smederevo Fortress. Until 25 August, more than 40 of the most important films from the countries of the Danube basin will be screened.
At the opening ceremony, the audience was first addressed by Igor Stanković, the festival’s selector and founder, who stressed that the “Dunav Film Fest” continues and endures thanks to the strong support of the City of Smederevo and the Ministry of Culture. According to him, this year’s festival includes works by well-known filmmakers, among them films screened at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Berlin and Karlovy Vary, and in Bulgaria.
“With this festival, Smederevo, as a city of rich history and cultural heritage, once again confirms its place on the cultural map of Serbia and of the region.
We are proud that the festival is growing from year to year, bringing together renowned filmmakers, young talent and audiences who believe in the power of art. The Dunav Film Fest is more than a festival: it is a symbol of the link between the past and the future, between Smederevo and the world. We are confident that this year’s Dunav Film Fest will also bring a wealth of inspiring moments, unforgettable films and new friendships,” said the Mayor of Smederevo, Jasmina Vojinović, at the opening ceremony of the 7th “Dunav Film Fest”.
Wishing the audience pleasant film evenings, the actor Vojin Ćetković officially declared the festival open, saying that it was a great honour for him and that this was his first time at the “Dunav Film Fest”, although he had previously filmed several films and series at Smederevo Fortress, acted in plays there and seen many performances.
“In the past, the Danube carried by boat all kinds of conquerors, armies and entire civilisations that brought their cultures with them, and today film arrives along the Danube, both upstream and downstream from Smederevo,” Ćetković said, among other things.
The competition programme of the 7th “Dunav Film Fest” will include 7 films: “78 Days” by Emilija Gašić, “Three Kilometres to the End of the World” by Emanuel Pârvu, “Explanation for Everything” by Gábor Reisz, “Dying” by Matthias Glasner, “Windless” by Pavel Vesnakov, “Scorched Earth” by Thomas Arslan and “The Hungarian Dressmaker” by Iveta Grófová.
The “Danube Boat” award for the best film in the competition selection is presented by a professional jury, made up of director Jasna Nanut, actress Dajana Gudić and sculptor Viktor Kiš. Awards will also be presented for best screenplay, direction and acting.
The seventh “Dunav Film Fest” comprises four strands and is being held at four locations in the city: the Small Town of Smederevo Fortress, the plateau by Karađorđe’s Mulberry Tree, the Danube Quay and the Cultural Centre.
An exclusive part of the festival programme is the premiere screening of the first two episodes of the series “Ringišpil”, based on the novel by Jelena Bačić Alimpić, which will soon be broadcast on television.
