"GOLDEN CLAPPERBOARD" FOR TARA GAJOVIĆ'S "ACROSS THE THRESHOLD"

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, NOVEMBER 3 /SRNA/ - "Across the Threshold", a Serbian film directed by Tara Gajović, has won the "Golden Clapperboard" Grand Prix for best film at the "Prvi Kadar" /"First Frame"/ International Film Festival.

The film follows two teenagers who become bride and groom, two young people who, despite everything, promise each other love. That promise, at once naive, tender and moving, is where the film's particular beauty lies.

The jury described the film as a true cinematic fantasy, woven from deeply emotional and delicate layers, in which every element has been carefully crafted, from the cinematography and the outstanding performances to the set and costume design.

Gajović addressed the audience in Istočno Sarajevo by video message, thanking the festival for the award and saying she regretted not being able to attend in person, talk about her film and see the other films screened at the festival.

The "Gate of Zvornik" award for best director went to Veljko Petrović for "Existence Is a Coincidence". The jury, made up of director Jelena Radenović, director and producer Vesna Dinić and director Miloš Škundrić, said the film showed the courage needed to step off the well-trodden paths of genre, of the themes favored by festival trends and of the ways those themes are usually handled.

Radenović said choosing the best films had been no easy task, adding that activism stood out as a theme this year.

The "Clapperboard" award for best film in the "In Focus" selection went to French director Margot Fournier for "If You Don’t Like It, Look Away", while the "Clapperboard" in the "Short Stories" selection went to Sara Radusinović for "Happy Holidays, Olga".

The "Clapperboard" for best film in the "Ex-Yu in Focus" selection was awarded to Ivana Todorović of Serbia for "Women of the Popular Front".

The jury also gave special mentions to "White Days" by Nevena Desivojević, "After the Party" by Stefan Tomić and "Donkey on Trial" by Jelena Medić.

The festival’s artistic director and producer, Aleksandra Mitrić Štifanić, said the winners announced this evening were fitting for the jubilee, 20th edition of the festival.

“The festival continues, both the competition and the side programme. Tomorrow, audiences in Istočno Sarajevo will be able to see films from the competition programme, and secondary school students will take part in the second day of the documentary film workshop,” Mitrić Štifanić said.

She added that the festival is moving on to Zvornik, where the competition films will be screened for local secondary school students. Zvornik will also host "Kids Fest", featuring a selection of animated films made at previous "Prvi Kadar" animation workshops.

"The second day of the festival has been extremely well attended. Today the 'Kids Fest' screening was packed, and the youngest viewers really enjoyed their film program," she said.

According to Mitrić Štifanić, the focus of the day was the panel "From Domestic Production to World Festivals". Producers and filmmakers from Republika Srpska discussed how a film goes from idea to completion and how important the systematic support of the Audiovisual Centre of Republika Srpska is for the development of cinema.

The 20th "Prvi Kadar" International Film Festival opened last night in Istočno Sarajevo under the motto "The Struggle Continue"”. It runs until Saturday, November 7, in Istočno Sarajevo and Zvornik.

The festival's general sponsor is the Audiovisual Centre of Republika Srpska, with support from the cities of Istočno Sarajevo and Zvornik and the municipalities of Istočno Novo Sarajevo and Istočna Ilidža.

The festival's media sponsor is the Media System of Republika Srpska - SRNA.