A press conference was held today at the Public Library in Široki Brijeg on the occasion of the 27th Mediterranean Film Festival, which will once again bring together documentary film enthusiasts, filmmakers, and film professionals in Široki Brijeg from September 23 to 26. Four festival days feature 19 films in the official competition program, various events in the off program, bring together the authors and audiences, and continue the festival story that has been establishing its place on the regional film scene for nearly three decades.

The festival’s director Tomislav Topić pointed out that this year’s program, in addition to the official competition, brings a wide range of topics and film stories through the In Focus program, local production, OFF program, Program for children, and Open Air Cinema.  He singled out nine films in the In Focus program which address various contemporary issues – from life in Gaza, violence against women, addiction, tradition, and personal life stories. 

 

A total of 250 films from 17 Mediterranean Countries were submitted for this year’s Festival official competition which will feature 19 documentary films – nine feature-length and ten short films. In addition to the films in competition, the festival audience can look forward to a number of other film events throughout the festival. 

The Open-Air Cinema once again holds a special place this year, returning to the city centre at Dr. Ante Starčević Square. Screenings will take place over two evenings, with the aim, as highlighted at the press conference, of bringing film closer to a wider audience, and further enriching public space with cultural content.

Robert Bubalo, producer of the festival, Ivan Kraljević on behalf of the town of Široki Brijeg, and Nela Ćosić on behalf of HT Eronet, general sponsor of the Festival, also spoke about the festival, the official competition part of the program, films from the accompanying programs, and numerous festival contents.

Kraljević congratulated the organizers on the 27th edition of the festival, emphasising that the Mediterranean Film Festival has long been recognised beyond local borders. He particularly highlighted the return of Open-Air Cinema, a result of the collaboration between the Town and the organizers. “We wanted to return the film, i.e., open the film to wider audiences and enrich the public space with cultural content”, Kraljević said, emphasising the connection between the festival and the town’s cultural program. 

He also added that the Town of Široki Brijeg sees the MFF as an important international and cultural event and announced the continuation of the Town’s support for the festival.

Besides documentary film, this year’s edition of the MFF will, once again, offer programs which connect the festival with other forms of cultural creativity. Local filmmakers hold a special place at the festival, and the audience will have the opportunity to see documentary film “Follow Me With Your Heart” by Zdenko Jurilj, as well as films in the OFF program. 

Nela Ćosić, on behalf of HT Eronet, which this year also provides rich prizes to festival visitors, pointed out that they are happy to be with the Mediterranean Film Festival as a general sponsor again and that they continue to have the opportunity to grow and socialise with the MFF. 

"We are very pleased that this year, as a general sponsor, we are part of the Mediterranean Film Festival, which, with its 27th edition, once again confirms how important it is for the cultural and festival scene of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also that its quality has long gone beyond local boundaries and become part of the wider regional and international cultural scene", said Ćosić and invited all film lovers to visit the MFF video library via the Home TV platform and watch some of the films from previous festivals.

The Festival producer Robert Bubalo thanked the Town of Široki Brijeg for their collaboration and support and emphasised the strong connection of the festival with the town over the past few years. He singled out the renovated cinema hall, which now provides the audience with better conditions for watching film screenings.

Bubalo also reminded of the Mediterranean orientation of the festival, which refers not only to the film, but also to the wider festival environment, the gathering of guests and the connection of film with gastronomy, oenology, and other forms of cultural expression.

The international jury in three categories will decide on the best works at MFF. Members of the jury for the best feature documentary film - MFF Grand Prix are Alena Džebo, Johannes Pause and Vinko Brešan, while the jury members for best short film - MFF Best Short are Miro Barnjak, Siniša Gačić and Almin Kaplan. In addition to the Grand Prix and Best Short, the audience will traditionally award their prize, while the Best Camera award for the best cinematography will be awarded by the Association of Cinematographers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This year's program, it was pointed out at the conference, again brings a combination of international documentary film, domestic production, and content for different generations of audiences. In its 27th edition, the MFF keeps its Mediterranean focus while remaining open to diverse film cultures and unique artistic perspectives.

The festival will open on Wednesday, September 23rd, with a screening of the documentary film "To Hold a Mountain", directed by Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić, while during the four festival days the audience will be able to watch screenings in the official competition and side programs.