FEST CLOSES WITH TOP SERBIAN FILM AWARD FOR "GOLDEN CUT - CHILDREN OF KOZARA"

BELGRADE, OCTOBER 12 /SRNA/ - Lordan Zafranović has won the Milutin Čolić Award for best Serbian film for "Golden Cut '42: Children of Kozara", about the suffering of Serb children in the Ustasha-run Jasenovac concentration camp, at the 53rd FEST film festival, which has ended in Belgrade.

The jury honored the film for its powerful authorial voice and consistent exploration of the anatomy of evil and historical crimes, continuing Zafranović's long-standing engagement with the subject.

Zafranović said his wish was for a civilization of good, rather than a civilization of evil, to begin.

"It seems to me that we are at some kind of turning point. I feel that we have had enough of wars, enough of killing. That beast within us simply has to disappear," Zafranović said.

The festival ended last night with an awards ceremony at the Sava Center. Awards were presented in 12 categories this year.

The Nebojša Đukelić Award for best regional film went to the Croatian production "Women, Madmen and a Few Good Faggots", while the Slobodan Novaković Award for best debut film was presented for the first time.

In the regional competition, the Greek-Cypriot production "Hold On to Me" was named best film, while directing and screenplay awards went to "Last Call" and "Alone Together".

In the European competition, the Swedish film "The Silent Beekeeper" won best film, while the Spanish production "The Red Hangar" took the top prize in the world competition and also shared the best debut film award with the Chilean film "Wandering Rocks".

Directing and screenplay awards went to "Yellow Letters", "How to Get Divorced During the War" and "The Filipina and the Teacher", while "Narciso" received a special mention.

FEST once again brought together films from a range of countries.

FEST program and artistic director Dragan Jeličić said he was very satisfied with the selection and that all 115 films had been screened.