This year’s special programme has been dedicated to Turkish cinema as an example of how a Balkan cinema can grow to reach the universal
Tirana Times
TIRANA, August 9 – Francis Ford Coppola, the famous U.S director of the 1970s will be the special guest of this year’s edition of the Durres International Film Festival scheduled for August 27 to September 2 2011.
Anila Varfi, the festival’s director, says the legendary American director, producer and screenwriter famous for the first two series of the Godfather, will arrive in Durres on September 1. Two of his latest films “Youth Without Youth” and “Tetro” will be premiered for the Albanian public at the Aleksander Moisiu theatre and the local ancient Roman amphitheatre of Durres, the festival’s two venues.
German director Jan Harlan, Sheila Johnson, the president of the International Federation of Film Critics FIPRESCI will also be present at the festival.
British film producer Nick Powell will be the president of the international jury while Czech Republic’s Jiri Menzel will head the jury announcing the best Balkan film.
Although the festival’s official’s programme has not been announced yet, organizers say former Czech President Vaclav Havel film “Leaving” will compete in the Contemporary Vision category.
This year’s special programme has been dedicated to Turkish cinema as an example of how a Balkan cinema can grow to reach the universal.
The Albanian cinema will be represented with two out of competition movies, the “In the Woods” movie by Albanian born US based Zenelaj sisters and the “Out of touch” movie by Andi Deliana, another Albanian director who lives in the U.S.
The fourth Durres International Film Summerfest will be held on 27 August – 2 September 2011. At the “Island of Festival” near the beach, and at the Ancient Roman Amphitheatre, the public will watch the best world cinematographic productions just under the stars. This edition will promote important and innovative works of modern world cinema introducing them to the local audiences. This year, the festival will also establish a section on International Documentary Programme and the Short Film. The official competition will consist of 8 features selected among the most significant recent productions and 6 features at Balkan World Section, recent productions from the region. Durres is going once again, this year, to welcome many foreign artists and film makers, who will get to know Albania and this magnificent city through film,” organizers say on their website.
In last year’s edition, some 15 films competed in the festival’s two official categories, the Contemporary Visions and the Balkan World. The “Close encounters” category was dedicated to France.
The Last Days of Emma Blank,” a Netherlands-Belgian co-production, was awarded the Golden Gladiator prize. The festival also served to promote tourism in Durres, a city which boasts a 2700-year-old history. It is supported by the Culture Ministry, the National Cinematography Centre and Durres Municipality.
Prizes awarded in this festival include the Golden Gladiator to the best film, the best director, actor and actress, the film critic award, best Balkan film, and the Golden Gladiator – Career Achievement.
The festival is supported by the Culture Ministry, the National Cinematography Centre and Durres Municipality.
