The European Film Festival opened in Kraljevo with a screening of the Greek film Animal in the outdoor garden of the Local Foundation Kraljevo. Held in the city for the first time as an open-air event, the festival aims to offer audiences the chance to enjoy some of the finest and most acclaimed works of European cinema during the warm summer evenings.
Audience interest exceeded the organisers’ expectations from the very first night. The Local Foundation’s summer garden proved too small to accommodate everyone who came to watch the powerful drama exploring the darker side of tourism in Greece.
“It’s a wonderful idea and something that has truly enriched Kraljevo’s cultural life this summer. The programme is exciting, the films are excellent, and we’re going to enjoy every moment,” said Tijana, one of the festival’s visitors.
The festival is divided into two editions: a summer programme and an autumn programme.
During the summer edition, running until 6 August, audiences will have the opportunity to watch films that stood out during the previous festival season and explore universal social themes.
“We didn’t have a specific target audience in mind when selecting the films, and that’s not just a cliché. These are films for everyone, from seven to seventy-seven years old. They’re wonderful films, and the summer selection is perfectly suited to screenings under the stars, both in atmosphere and in subject matter,” said Tomislav Milićević of the Local Foundation Kraljevo.
Milićević added that, beyond offering outstanding cultural content, the festival aims to bring people together and encourage them to enjoy warm summer evenings through art.
“What inspired us wasn’t only the idea of watching great films under the open sky. It was also about bringing people together, encouraging conversations before and after the screenings. Connecting people and strengthening the community is at the heart of what the Local Foundation does, helping make this city a better place to live,” he said.
The summer programme features the films Animal, Greice, Fathers & Mothers, Jippie No More, Jokes & Cigarettes, and Remember to Blink.
The autumn edition of the festival is scheduled to take place from 1 to 5 October.
The festival is supported by Europe House Novi Pazar.