The 2008 AANO National Convention was hosted by the Philadelphia Chapter of the AANO on August 1, 2 & 3. The 2008 event was held in honor of longtime member Steve Stefani. The Albanian American National Organization also recognized Illyria Entertainment for it’s ground breaking documentary “Scanderbeg, Warrior King of Albania”.
Nik Gjonaj received the Albanian of the year honor along with his group for their patriotic efforts & cultural contribution.
The Scanderbeg Documentary: A Filmmakers Odyssey
“There is nobility in the conception of a work of art and slavery in the accomplishment”
Leonardo Da’Vinci
In late Fall of 2002, the artist Nua Gjelaj, put one of his paintings of Scanderbeg on Ebay for auction. Filmmaker Nik Gjonaj was the winning bidder. Agreeing to meet at Nua’s brother-in-laws bar where they spoke about their mutual interests of art, film, Albanian culture and history. Then and there they made a pledge (besa) to each other to make a documentary film about Scanderbeg. For the next couple of years they were in development; creating a script, commissioning a replica of the helmet, gathering film crew talent, contacting and interviewing scholars.
November of 2004, the first shoot was at St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church. Then in June of 2005, they went to Europe to interview scholars and historians as well as film footage in Albania; Kruja Castle, Shkoder Castle, Scanderbeg’s memorial at Lezha. The European journey took them first to England; Cambridge University, Nottingham University and London. Rome was the next destination, to interview Albanian scholars working in the Secret Vatican Archives. It was a remarkable opprtunity to actually view Scanderbeg’s documents and actual signature, Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg Dominus Albaniae (Lord of Albania). Their ultimate experience with the legend was when they went to Vienna and filmed the helmet and of sword of Scanderbeg, housed in the Kunsthistoriches Museum. The final leg of the journey was Albania and a brief trip to Kosova. In summation the gruelling itinerary was completed within 2 weeks, which included 12 cities, 9 airports and 3 castles.
At the end of the summer of 2005, they tried to get aid from Albanian American community leaders to help defray the enormous costs of production, however, most of them were unwilling or unable to give assistance. In hindsight the cynicism of some is quite understandable, in the last couple of decades many have tried to to take on a modern film project about Scanderbeg and failed. After viewing one of the trailers on the Illyria Entertainment website, Tringa Gojcaj was amazed at the production quality. Believing in the film, she contacted Nik and Nua, and offered to help in the completion of the project, Tringa was brought on board as executive producer. Final filming was completed in December of 2005. Post-production editing occupied all of 2006 and the first quarter of 2007.
Then began the most crucial phase of the project, distribution. Nik Gjonaj made a few key power plays to secure interest in the film industry and to lock a distribution deal and representation with Fantastic Films International. The film has been screened with great reception in Detroit and New York, and with acclaim at Raleigh Studios Hollywood, Berlin and Cannes.
After five long years, plagued by financial restraints, apathy and outright intransigence by some, the project was finally accomplished and the besa was honored.
Currently, domestic and international negotiations are underway for broadcast arrangements and DVD sales. Illyria Entertainment is proud to announce that the documentary has been recently awarded the coveted Silver Telly Award, “for best in category, for History / Biography” and the international Davey award for best in category for historical documentary.
