36th Trieste Film Festival

January 16–24, 2025

From January 16 to 24, 2025, Trieste will once again become the center of cinematic activity with the 36th Trieste Film Festival. Numerous films and authors previously featured at the cross-border film festival Tribute to a Vision (in the sections Visionaries and Excursion) will also captivate the Trieste audience, which brings us great joy. Dedicated to the cinema of Central and Eastern Europe, the festival offers a rich and diverse program that reflects the complex stories and creative visions of this part of Europe.

On Saturday, January 18, the audience will be invited into the world of Homelands, directed by Jelena Maksimović. Her sensitive storytelling and insightful perspective promise a touching cinematic experience that raises questions about belonging and identity.

On Wednesday, January 22, the competition section will feature the feature film Family Therapy, directed by Sonja Prosenc. The film delves into the fragile and intricate threads of family relationships through an innovative visual narrative. On the same day, the festival will honor the work of renowned Latvian director Laila Pakalniņa, who received the Darko Bratina Award in 2014 for her remarkable film poetics and unique worldview.

One of the festival’s highlights will be the screening of The Sky Above Zenica, directed by Nanna Frank Møller and Zlatko Pranjić. This poignant documentary, touching on universal themes of perseverance and the search for meaning, had its Slovenian premiere in November 2024, co-organized by Kinoatelje. It will once again resonate with the audience, this time on Trieste’s cinematic stage.

This year’s festival places special emphasis on Romanian cinema, which has impressed audiences for many years. The program Romanian Experimental Cinema will showcase the boldness and innovation of Romanian filmmakers, whose works often transcend genre boundaries and clichés.

Among the short films in the program, The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent, directed by Nebojša Slijepčević, stands out. With its incisive narrative and masterful execution, the film holds up a mirror to societal issues and creates space for reflection.