The Festival program officially started at 5 pm with the screening of short documentary films from the „IN Focus“program. The first day of the festival also featured an “In Memoriam” program, through which MFF paid tribute to long-time festival selector Zdravko Mustać and director Zrinko Ogresta, people who left a huge impact on the festival and film in general through their work. 

The director of the Mediterranean Film Festival Tomislav Topić welcomed the guests and the audience at the beginning of the opening ceremony, and emphasised the importance of the continuity of the festival and its position on the film map of the region. 

“The Mediterranean Film Festival has been trying to do one simple thing for 27 years – to bring good films, interesting people, and different stories to one place. I am truly happy that we are together again this year and that we succeeded in achieving that. It is my pleasure to say that the Mediterranean Film Festival is going out to the town streets, so from tomorrow, with the support and collaboration of the Town of Široki Brijeg, we will again have screenings in the town centre. I would like to invite you all to join the screenings in the open-air cinema, as we want the festival atmosphere to be felt in the very heart of the town”, said the Festival director.

The Minister of Civil Affairs Dubravka Bošnjak declared the festival open. 

“These 27 years of the Festival speak for themselves – about the people who have been creating this festival and the audience that keeps coming back. The Mediterranean Film Festival has shown how documentary film can open a space for understanding life, experiences, and stories of other people and to raise important questions about identity, memories, and the society we live in. This festival is important because it shows that a serious film scene does not have to be related to the big cities. When a city gathers authors for years, develops a film audience, and connects people from different countries, culture becomes part of its identity, but also an important driver of its development," said Bošnjak and declared the festival open.

The festival producer Robert Bubalo also addressed the audience, talking about this year’s program, the audiences, and the importance of holding the festival. Following the opening day, the festival program continues with screenings in the official competition, the "In Focus" section, domestic productions, and the OFF program. The youngest audiences can also look forward to festival events, as well as the return of the open-air cinema to Dr. Ante Starčević Square.

The lineup includes the documentary “Follow Me with Your Heart” by Zdenko Jurilj, which will be screened on Thursday, September 24, at 7 p.m. Over the coming days, the festival will feature meetings between filmmakers and the audience, along with diverse film stories from the region and around the world.

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.