The Kustendorf Film Festival, the 14^th edition of which kicks off today, 22 January, held in the tiny ski resort that was originally built as a set for Emir Kusturica’s Life Is a Miracle, is one of those annual gatherings that boast both a great programme and an enchanting atmosphere. While visiting the festival, you can talk to seasoned filmmakers such as the founder himself, as well as up-and-coming Kusturicas – emerging talents from all over the world, who can show off their first efforts and enjoy all-night discussions about art and life, which only the youth can stomach.

Owing to the pandemic, only the film part of the programme has been salvaged, and it’s definitely worth spending the time to enjoy it online. The international short-film competition, simply called Competition, consists of 22 titles, produced in Serbia and abroad: Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Germany, Romania, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Israel, Iran, Germany, Russia, Denmark, Romania, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Montenegro and France. The best of the bunch – as chosen by the jury consisting of Alice Rohrwacher, Bruno Tarrière and Miki Manojlović – will receive the Golden, Silver and Bronze Eggs. Additionally, French DoP Michel Amathieu will decide on the laureate of the Vilko Filac Award for Cinematography.

The newcomer-centric programme will be complemented by screenings of recent films by more experienced filmmakers – Dear Comrades [+lee también:
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ficha de la película] by Andrey Konchalovskiy, Wendy by Benh Zeitlin, Miss Marx [+lee también:
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entrevista: Susanna Nicchiarelli
ficha de la película] by Susanna Nichiarelli, Una Promessa [+lee también:
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entrevista: Gianluca y Massimiliano De…
ficha de la película] by Gianluca and Massimiliano De Serio, and Dissolve by late Korean master Kim Ki-duk. The directors of all but the last film will meet with the audience during special, online conversations. Additionally, Emir Kusturica himself will be talking to Dinara Zhumagaliyeva, the producer of and lead actress in Dissolve. The Serbian master will also present an extended version of his famed masterpiece Underground in four episodes, lasting almost six hours in total, within a section appropriately called “Retrospective of the Giants”.

The 14^th Kustendorf Film Festival will wrap on Monday 25 January.