By Marsida Gjoncaj
mgjoncaj@tiranatimes.com
The award’s ceremony marked the successful closure of the first edition of Prishtina Film Fest. It started with the red carpet walk where many of the celebrity guests along with well-known Kosovar artists appeared in glamour and style, and was crowned with the announcement of winners of the Golden Goddess in different categories.
The jury that evaluated the 10 films in competition was led by the prominent Kosovar director Isa Qosja as the president of the jury, and members Mira Staleva, Deputy Director of the Sofia International film festival in Bulgaria, Marcel Maiga, organizer of festivals Cottbus and Berlinale from Germany, Saimir Kumbaro, director from Albania and David Gothard, director from Great Britain.
The president of the jury, announced the prizes on behalf of the jury for the following categories: Golden Goddess for the best film went to ‘Snow’ directed by Aida Begic – Bosnia and Hercegovina Golden Goddess, Special jury prize to ‘East West East’, film from Albania, directed by Gjergj Xhuvani Golden Goddess for the best director went to ‘Opium War’ directed by Siddiq Barmak, Afghanistan Golden Goddess for the best actor was received by actor Velibor Topic, on behalf of the actors of the film ‘The living and the dead’ from Croatia Golden Goddess for the best actress went to Labina Mitevska for her role in ‘I am from Titov Veles’, a film from Macedonia, directed by Teona Mitevska. Special mention of the jury also went to ‘I am from Titov Veles’, a film from Macedonia, directed by Teona Mitevska. Audience prize went to the film from Albania ‘Time of the comet’, directed by Fatmir Koci.
Judging by comments, feedback and positive opinions from foreign guests at the festival, artistic community and the media, the first edition of the festival is considered a successful initiative even on its first year. The festival aims to continue to work professionally in future to bring the world of cinema to Kosovo, as well as promote and develop the Kosovar cinematography. PriFilmFest will have its second edition in June 2009.
