A strong program of films in competition marked the third day of the 24th Mediterranean Film Festival. In the morning screenings, from 10 a.m., the short documentaries 'Elders' by Spanish directors N. Ubach, D. Cano, U. Andersson, M. Codesido and 'The Maestrat of Film' by Fermin Sales were shown. 

‘In my film The Maestrat on film I reflect on the rural territory where I live. It is an archival exercise that questions the value of cinematographic images to understand a territory’, the author of the film ‘The Maestrat of Film' said.

He pointed out that this is his first visit to the Mediterranean festival and our country and that this is a great opportunity to meet these parts. 

'I feel very welcome from all the people included into the organisation of the festival, but also from the visitors who are very kind and sociable. I like Široki Brijeg, as a small film town, it really has a special story’, Fermin Sales said. 

Director Tijana Mamula presented herself with the film 'Ada, or', an Italian-Serbian co-production, and then followed documentary 'La Panadella', by Spanish director Joel Jimenez, and ‘Places We’ll Breathe’, by Croatian director Davor Sanvincenti. 

The program continued at 4 p.m. with the screening of a short domestic documentary co-produced with Sweden, 'Re-membering: Meditation on a Triptych' directed by Amra Hećo, and 'Three Sparks' directed by Naomi Uman, in Albanian-Mexican co-production. 

‘In every aspect, this festival has exceeded my expectations, in terms of quality and program selection. It is very nicely integrated into the culture of the city and it is something that gives a different profile and energy to this part of our country. The thing you are doing for the culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a true gift, and I really feel like I am among friends here’, Amra Hećo stated.

She pointed out that films in the competition are exceptionally quality films and that there is a nice balance in the way the program is composed. 

‘The selection of such films enables a broader approach to life and, which is very important, to the medium of film itself. The film as a medium can only be seen as entertainment, that's no problem, but this festival makes people literate in terms of film so that they can see it in a different way, not only as entertainment, because the film is a wealth in itself. This is really important, to teach people how to watch film’, added the director of the film ‘Re-membering: Meditation on a Triptych’.  

Later screenings on the third day of the festival also brought interesting titles. From 6:00 p.m., we watched 'A soft Hiss of this World', directed by Federico Cammarata and Filippo Foscarini, produced by Italy and Croatia, and the award-winning documentary 'Between Revolutions' by Romanian director Vlad Petri. The following screenings presented the Spanish documentary ‘In My Skin’ by Sandor M. Salas and French ‘Tawny Sands’ by Francis Del Rio. 

It is very pleasant to be a part of this festival, and it makes sense for my film especially since the theme of the film, bullfighting, is related to the Mediterranean and these areas,'' the French director said.

Before the screening at the Borak cinema, Del Rio pointed out that the goal of this film is to raise questions, and that it is full of contradictions, where he, as the author, does not suggest to the viewer to choose sides. The film brings emotion and lets the viewer to make their own choice.

‘Don't try to understand my film, just watch it and feel it,’ the author of ‘Tawny Sands’ said.

‘Valerija’ directed by the Croatian director Sara Jurinčić and "Mighty Afrin: In the Time of Floods" by the Greek director Angelos Rallis closed the third day of the festival.

We remind you that the Mediterranean Film Festival takes place from October 10 to 14 in Široki Brijeg. The competition includes ten feature-length documentaries that compete for the MFF "Grand Prix" award, and ten short documentaries that compete for the MFF "Best Short" award. The best film will be chosen by the audience, and that film is waiting for the MFF Audience Award. This year’s novelty is the ‘Best Camera’ award that will be awarded by the festival in collaboration with the Association of Cinematographers of B&H.  

The award ceremony will be held on Friday, October 13, while the festival will close on Saturday, October 14, with the screening of the documentary film about the basketball genius Dražen Petrović - 'Our Little Boy', directed by Ivana Guberina.

The general sponsor of the Mediterranean Film Festival is HT Eronet.