Star Film Fest brought together filmmakers from all over the country and beyond, and through various workshops and screenings managed to, at least briefly, strengthen the film culture in the city itself. The grand opening has traditionally been held in the Sisak Fortress (Stari grad Sisak), and the program continued through the next two days at Theatre 21 (Kazalište 21).
The movie night started with film music of course, performed by Alen Bakarić and Sven Tomanić, who showed their skills on keyboard, guitar and oral accordion. The installation, which visitors had the opportunity to see at the entrance of the Sisak Fortress, is an artistic installation of three girls, who by the name of the exhibition ‘Kraj’ (End) wanted to mark Star Film Fest as the last cultural event in the town of Sisak. Their names are Leila Kasumović, Marina Jukić and Ena Jurov better known as leilamarinaena.
The opening ceremony was hosted by Saša Tadić and Martina Werft, and the audience was greeted by festival director Matija Holjevac, who told everyone: “Live your film and fly into space”. The festival is under high patronage of president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, and enjoys the support of the City of Sisak on which behalf opening was attended Ivana Krčelić, President of the City Council of the City of Sisak, and also refinery INA, C.I.O.S. Group, as well as the Sisak-Moslavina County in front of which was Vlasta Mesić. The official opening was followed by screenings of films, and the whole impression of a wonderful evening was enriched by the performance of Stephany Stefan. Rijeka’s multidisciplinary artist, as well as the official photographer of Star Film Fest, made it even more magical under the starry sky.
The following day, visitors had the opportunity to try Slackline, take part in an acoustic jam session, watch 4 blocks of competitive screenings, and in the evening see the screening of the The Last Serb in Croatia, the first Croatian zombie comedy and feature film by Predrag Ličina. This was followed by a concert by the band Elemental, which, after many years, came to Sisak, as they say, the film festival is an ideal link to their music because ‘They are always in their zone’.
The youngest filmlovers had the opportunity to watch Maya the Bee Movie the next morning, those slightly older walked the gourd as part of a Slackline workshop, enjoyed an acoustic jam session or attended a movie quiz organised by the KOZa team, and then they could’ve listen to a public debate ‘The position of director in Croatia’. The talk show host and moderator was Sandra Bosnar, a popular presenter of HRT’s Kokica show. She led the conversation between Silvio Petranović and Antun Vrdoljak, who shared their rich film experiences. The outdoor screening of the movie IKEA for YU, a documentary that talks about embracing your own value system and creating a stable and loving family, was also seen by many. Dinka Radonić, this year’s president of the Star Film Fest jury, in 2018 co-authored this film in collaboration with Marija Ratković Vidaković.
Finally, it was time to share the Star Film Fest awards. The jury consisting of Dinka Radonić as this year’s president, last year’s Star Film Fest winner Federico Schmukler, Dino Pešut, Filip Mayer, Bobby Boško Grubić and Nina Kojc as members, made the decision on who will recieve the awards. At the end of the evening, the winners were announced by category and a special audience award was presented. The best films of this year’s 6th Star Film Fest is My Body, an animated film by the duo Sandralee Zinzen and Nicolas Nivesse. The best proclaimed documentary film was A Gis, directed by Thiago Carvalhaes. The best experimental film award went to director Gabriel Moran for White Bedrooms. The Breathing was named the best industrial film, directed by Farshid Ayoobinejad. In the feature category, the best was Vrzel, directed by Ana Trebša. The award for best film editing was won by Jan Chaplin‘s The Angry Anonymus, for the best camera award went to Elani Molfet, director of film Nekydallo. The award by festival selectors was given to the film 3. rujan 2015., by director Sara Jurinčić, and the audience’s award was received by the recently audience ovation awarded Agelasta by director Sara Garcia Jimenez. The best regional film award went to Mishko, by director Hanis Bagashov.
The award ceremony closed the 6th Star Film Fest in Sisak, hinting at its 7th edition, which will take place next year at the end of August. We would like to thank all those who have supported us, from sponsors, patrons, partners, to festival visiters and citizens of Sisak.
