JUBILEE PRVI KADAR FILM FESTIVAL OFFICIALLY OPENS

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, NOVEMBER 2 /SRNA/ – The 20th jubilee "Prvi Kadar" /“First Frame”/ International Film Festival opened this evening in Istočno Sarajevo under the motto "The Struggle Continues".

This year's competition program features 30 films from more than 20 countries in five selections. The films have drawn attention at major domestic and international festivals, including Berlin, Cannes and Locarno.

Festival Director Vitomir Mitrić said the motto "The Struggle Continues" reflects the organizers' efforts to preserve the art of film and keep developing the festival despite many difficulties.

This evening, director Dragan Elčić received the "Key of Katera" award for his outstanding contribution to cinema and to the development of the festival. He said the festival has managed to survive and grow into one of the major showcases of documentary, short fiction and animated film.

The festival's Artistic Director and Producer, Aleksandra Mitrić Štifanić, said the festival brings major world, regional and domestic premieres. Its focus is on short documentary and fiction films and on the work of young filmmakers.

According to her, the festival program includes five competition selections: international short documentary, regional short documentary, short fiction, student fiction and student documentary.

Mitrić Štifanić also highlighted the educational and children's film program. Secondary school students will take part in a film criticism and analysis workshop, and the youngest participants will attend an animation workshop as part of the "Young Talents Academy" film school.

The festival's Creative Director and Programmer, Matija Štifanić, said the program includes many films from Republika Srpska. Among them are works by young filmmakers supported by the Audiovisual Centre of Republika Srpska.

This year's festival also spotlights a screening of "Slet 1988" by Marta Popivoda, a member of the European Film Academy.

The festival will also screen animated films made at last year's animation workshop of the "Prvi Kadar" film school, attended by primary school pupils from Istočno Sarajevo.

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