Short films by emerging filmmakers from Brazil, Hong Kong, Canada, the United States, and across Europe — many of which have been screened at some of the world’s most prestigious film festivals — will be presented to Sisak audiences and visitors this August. The official opening of the 13th Star Film Fest is scheduled for Thursday, 20th of August, at 8:15 PM at Theatre 21, as announced during the festival’s programme presentation.
The diverse selection of films featured at this increasingly significant event on the Croatian film scene was introduced by Festival Director Matija Holjevac and competition programme selector Martina Mladenović, with the support of Sisak Mayor Domagoj Orlić.
From 20th to 22nd August, Theatre 21 will host screenings of 37 short films, including 16 student productions from renowned regional and international film academies. The programme will be divided into seven screening blocks. This year’s jury consists of actress Petra Kurtela, film critic Bartol Babić Vukmir, illustrator and animator Ana Despot, director Lucija Brkić, and Slovenian director and interdisciplinary artist Hannah Koselj Marušić.
“This year’s festival theme is Light—a symbol of togetherness, creative energy, and the young stars who are yet to shine,” said Festival Director Matija Holjevac, emphasizing that for the thirteenth consecutive year, the festival will once again transform Sisak into a hub of emerging cinema, featuring films from 16 different countries.
Sisak Mayor Domagoj Orlić noted that summer in Sisak is unimaginable without Star Film Fest. He highlighted the city’s thirteen-year-long support and partnership with the festival and expressed particular enthusiasm for Star Gardens, whose inaugural edition will take place on 7 August at Jezerce Željezara as a special prelude to the festival.
“It is both an honour and a pleasure to present 37 short films by young filmmakers,” said Martina Mladenović, one of the competition programme selectors, alongside Anja Kavić and Iva Rosandić. She emphasized the high quality of this year’s selection, noting that the films explore contemporary issues through fresh, innovative, and creative perspectives.
The festival opens with the exhibition “Light in Blue Format” by Martina Mladenović, followed by two competition screening blocks and a live violin techno looping performance by SVEBOR.
The second festival day will feature a cyanotype workshop—a photographic technique known as the “sun print”—as well as a masterclass by acclaimed Croatian cinematographer and director of photography Davor Bjelanović. In addition to three new competition screenings beginning at 5:00 PM, audiences will have the opportunity to attend an inclusive screening of the Croatian box-office hit “Wedding”. The evening atmosphere will be provided by DJ Billogorz.
The final day at Theatre 21 includes a children’s screening of “Bighead”, accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences as well as blind and visually impaired visitors. The programme also features the Sisak-Moslavina County Tourist Board workshop “Cloud Nine & Wine” for children and adults, Small Film Talks with this year’s filmmakers, where they will share their creative journeys, and the festival’s traditional film quiz.
Following the awards ceremony, which begins at 8:30 PM, DJ Niki Peducci will close the evening, officially bringing the 13th edition of Star Film Fest to an end.
Star Film Fest is an international short film festival dedicated to filmmakers up to 35 years of age. Organised by the Sisak Cinema Club, the festival has welcomed hundreds of filmmakers from around the world over the past thirteen years.
