Tirana Film Festival – the parade of global films in the Albanian capital

TIRANA, Nov.28- In a six day event that has brought to the Imperial Cinema in Tirana movies, directors, cinema critics and art lovers from throughout the world, a series of movies have competed for the annual prize awarded by the festival. This is the fifth year the festival has been held, and it is now earned considerable international prestige. More than 800 participants from 75 countries have sent submissions to this year’s festival. Well-known names such as Alexander Rockwell, Gianni Amelio and Phil Parmett have participated in the event as well. The event was launched with a premiere of the movie, “Eduard” from Greek director Angeliki Antoniu, which is based upon an Albanian story. Many Albanian actors were cast in the movie as well. The festival generated much media attention when the Ministry of Culture and Tourism refused to finance it, prompting the organizers, Ilir Butka and Genc Permeti, to seek assistance elsewhere as well as to collect petition signatures from artists and citizens in general. The festival is supported by the National Center of Cinematography. The entry for art students was free during the festival and only in the evening the organizers collected symbolic fees.