TIRANA, Sept. 17 – The tourist season in the lake town of Pogradec has received a boost with the Balkan Film and Food Festival.
More than 100 young film directors from the region have gathered in Pogradec in the fifth edition of the film and food festival, which is becoming a traditional annual event in the lake town, one of the country’s most popular destinations.
“This year’s goal is the acquaintance and promotion of the Balkan cinema but also the promotion of Balkan gastronomy and its recipes to European guests,” says director Eno Milkani, one of the organizers of the festival.
This year’s edition is also featuring the Balkan “Mish-mash film production” category where young directors can exchange experience in joint shooting projects.
The one-week festival will close in September 19.
Cinema and food are the best elements to get to know the Balkans, say journalist Fatos Baxhako and director Eno Milkani, the organizers of the Balkan Film and Food.
“In summer 2011, none of us thought the Balkan Film & Food Festival would be in another edition. But fortunately, we were wrong. Here we are again in the big table of Balkan movie and culinary next to the Pogradec Lake.”
“The Balkan region is changing rapidly. The reason is prevailing over anger and old nonsense inherited from the mad politics and nationalism which although still strong in the Balkan region has started feeling isolated in its darkness. Hatred is leaving room to unity while mutual recognition will one day prevail over intentional ignorance,” say the festival’s organizers
