The 26th Palić European Film Festival began at the Summer Stage with a solemn opening ceremony and the presentation of the “Aleksandar Lifka” awards to the most deserving filmmakers – set designer Miljen Kljaković Kreka and Croatian director Rajko Grlić.
After the ceremony, Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film “Pain and Glory” starring Antonio Banderas premiered in Serbia.
The main program of this year’s edition of the festival, as chosen by selector Nenad Dukić, is characterized by a good balance between new films by renowned authors and works by young directors.
On behalf of the Ministry of Culture and Information, which supports this film festival, Assistant Minister Ivana Dedić emphasized the importance of the continued support that the festival receives.
She particularly highlighted the recognition that this festival received two years ago, when it was included in the five most important events of this kind in Europe. The festival has become a gathering place for young film artists, students and professionals, as well as amateurs and film enthusiasts, who improve their creative knowledge. This festival is an event where the future of Serbian and world cinema, to which we also belong, is being created.
On behalf of the hosts, the large audience was welcomed by Timea Horvat, Deputy Mayor of Subotica.
She emphasized that the Palić European Film Festival in Subotica is a first-rate cultural event, because thanks to this festival, the greatest European cinematographers have been visiting our city for a quarter of a century. This festival gathers around 20 to 25 thousand people every year, over 200 film professionals come, while 100 journalists follow the film. The wind at its back has been provided by the biggest names in domestic cinema since its inception.
After the opening ceremony and awards ceremony, Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film, “Glory and Pain,” was screened out of competition as part of the Main Program. The film, which won Antonio Banderas the Best Actor award at the recent Cannes Film Festival, follows the story of a young director who questions all the choices he has made in his life as his world collapses and the present and past intertwine.
After the film screening, a Cocktail was held to mark the opening of the Film Festival.