The XNUMXth FEST was closed last night with the award ceremony, and the film "I accuse" received the most recognition. The best film is "Nitram", and the award was also won by "Strahinja Banović". Stefan Arsenijević.
The jury, whose president was an actor Milos Bikovic, admitted that the work was "difficult and challenging due to the numerous high-quality achievements that were in the selection this year".
The "Fedeora" award for the best European-Mediterranean film went to the film "Accusation" Ivan Atala, which, as explained by the jury, "raises burning questions about sexual abuse and presents them in a way that confronts all conflicting parties", while the award "Milutin Čolić" for the best director of the Serbian film, named after the founder of FEST, as she announced Dubravka Lakić, film critic and member of the jury, unanimously went to Stefan Arsenijević for the film "Strahinja Banović".
Arsenijević, receiving the award, expressed his thanks and pointed out that "it is especially emotional when you receive an award in your city, country".
"And it's especially emotional when you receive an award that bears the name of the founder of FEST, and that's at the anniversary edition of the festival," said Arsenijević, whose film was previously crowned with the highest accolades at the festival in Karlovy Vary, where it premiered.
The "Nebojša Đukelić" award for the best film from the region, as stated by the members of the jury led by her Biljana Srbljanović, belonged to the movie "Darkness" Dusan Milić as "an impeccable study of the genre, based on the primal human fear of the unknown". Receiving the award, Milić emphasized how glad he was that the jury recognized his achievement, adding that Đukelić himself, as an excellent film connoisseur, had a lot of influence on the director liking the film himself.
In particular, a special recognition within the "FEST focus" selection was awarded to the film "Heroji" Goran Nikolić, because "it exudes a bold vision".
"I'm glad that authenticity and uncompromisingness are still not forgotten in this country. But, the greatest success of this film will be if only one person wants to work in film after watching "Hero", said Nikolić at the ceremony.
And the main award in this category went to the production "The World After Us", because in a "witty and sincere way it manages to capture the spirit of the generation".
The "Belgrade Winner" awards are traditionally awarded in the following categories: best film, director, screenplay, best female and male role.
Miloš Biković, president of the jury of the Main Competition Program, which also included Tamara Dragicevic, Đerđi Raduli, Agriris Papadimitropoulos i Toni Gojanovic, he pointed out that it is a great pleasure to work when you have many more good films that have deserved awards than awards themselves.
Special recognition went to the film "House Arrest".
It was declared the Best Debut Sonja Tarokic for the film "Zbornica", and the Croatian director thanked her in a video message, admitting that she was very surprised.
According to the jury, he achieved the best male role Caleb Landry Jones in the movie "Nitram" Justin Kurzel, and female Susan Juane for a role in the production "I accuse".
The award for the best screenplay also went to the film "I Accuse", and the award for the best director went to him Dina Duma for the realization of "Sisters". Receiving the award with huge applause, she said that this film was created thanks to FEST, because it was part of the "Fest Forward" program four years ago.
Justin Kurzel's "Nitram" was declared the best film because, as the jury explained, it deals with essential challenges, lack of communication and love. In a video message, Kurcel said that he was honored by the award, "especially since it is a film that he is very proud of".
The honorary winner of the "Belgrade Winner" is an American producer, screenwriter and director Dean Devlin, who will soon start filming a new sci-fi series in Serbia. The audience was reminded on this occasion in a video insert of his rich oeuvre - this New Yorker became famous for his collaboration with Roland Emmerich, with whom he wrote and produced the hits "Universal Soldier, "Independence Day", "Godzilla", and his directorial debut was the 2017 film "Geostorm" with Gerard Butler in main role.
"Thank you. When I was informed about the award, I was honored, but also surprised. The films I made were not made for criticism and awards, but to entertain the audience at least for an hour or two. The awards came from ordinary people. When I worked here movie a few years ago, a woman came up to me and asked me if I was Dean Devlin. Can you imagine how shocked I was - that someone in Belgrade recognized me," said Devlin.
The Jubilee FEST was solemnly closed with a film music concert by the RTS Symphony Orchestra under the baton of the conductor Bojan Sudjic, who performed music from famous film hits such as "Star Wars", "Indiana Jones", "Superman", "Harry Potter" ... All these compositions were signed by one of the greatest film music composers of our time - John Williams, who celebrated his 8th birthday on February 90.
During the ten days of the Fest, 380 film screenings were held, nine of which were premieres of local productions, and 116 guests came to the festival.
Bonus video:
