The screening of the French documentary “Miyazaki: Spirit of Nature” directed by Léo Favier closed the 26th Mediterranean Film Festival in Široki Brijeg. 

The last festival day started with the MFF Fora program matinee, featuring the film "Bumblebee's Summer", directed by Daniel Kušan, and short films created at the "Zelenkapica" children's camp and the "Zabavator" workshop.  

Later in the afternoon, the audience saw the documentary “TOVA - Greatest Hand, Worst Elbow“, directed by Damir Jelić, dedicated to world table tennis champion Antun Tova Stipančić, and the film “Time of Suffering”, directed by Jozo Patljak, which speaks about tragic events in Bosanska Posavina during the Second World War.  

Screenings of local authors’ films were held the same day. The audience had the opportunity to see the film “Labyrinth of the Mind and Body”, directed by Katja Jurić and Lucija Delić, followed by "Andrej Meets a Flower", directed by Milij Đukić, and "Međugorje Breviary", directed by Zdenko Jurilj, a poetic short documentary dedicated to the phenomenon of Medjugorje.  

The Mediterranean Film Festival, which was opened on Tuesday, 7 October, screened 40 films within five programs. 

The documentary film „Welded Together“, made in French, Dutch, and Belgian co-production, and directed by Anastasya Miroshnichenko, was awarded the MFF Grand Prix at the 26th Mediterranean Film Festival by the jury’s decision, while the MFF Best Short award went to the film "Knifelife" by Croatian director Ivan Mokrović.  Best Camera award went to Italian filmmaker and cinematographer Cesare Bedogné for his film „Eight of Wands“, and the audience awarded the film ‘’Goodlands’’, by Vladimir Perović from Montenegro, with their votes.  

The jury composed of Zrinko Ogresta, Branka Bašević Gajić, and Toni Cahunek stated that the film captivates with its powerful and emotional story of Katya, a young woman whose daily physical labour is intertwined with her inner struggles and attempts to protect her younger sister.  

The jury also awarded two special mentions to films “Fiume o morte!”, directed by Igor Bezinović from Croatia, and “The Shepherd’s Keeper”, directed by Hadara Oren from Israel.  The jury for the short documentary category, consisting of Vinko Kraljević, Melina Alagić, and Bobby B. Grubić, awarded special mentions to the films "Mawtini" by French director Marianne Barakat, and "Goats!", a short documentary by Croatian director Toni Gaćina.

The cinematographers Alen Alilović, Jana Vuković and Zoran Pilipović, members of the jury for Best Camera, in their explanation why they were impressed by the Italian film „Eight of Wands“, stated that in it the camera, with its calmness, precision, and sensitivity, creates a deep visual and emotional experience. They also awarded a special mention to the Croatian film „Fiume o morte!“, directed by Igor Bezinović, which is the Croatian candidate for the Oscar.

The audience enjoyed the documentary spectacle, film “Tomislav, the King”, directed by Dražen Klarić, and they saw an exclusive announcement of the film “Conspirators”, directed by Bobby B. Grubić, based on a screenplay by the writer Miro Gavran. 

A forum on tourism, and a discussion on the topic “Culture as an inspiration for tourism”, which connected the art of film, cultural heritage, and the development of tourism potentials of our region, were organised in cooperation with the Office for European Integrations of the Government of West Herzegovina Canton. The general sponsor of the Mediterranean Film Festival is HT Eronet.