The Dok’n’Ritam festival, a prominent event celebrating musical documentaries, is set to take place from September 24 to 27, 2026, at the SOKOJ club and various other venues. This year’s festival will focus on the Serbian rock scene of the 1990s, a period marked by creativity and diversity despite the constraints of international sanctions. The festival will feature a series of discussions, tributes, and film screenings that highlight the cultural significance of this era in Serbian music.
One of the key events at the festival will be a panel discussion dedicated to the 1990s Serbian rock scene, featuring notable figures such as Predrag Novković, a journalist and author of the TV show “Dodatno ubrzanje,” and Željko Markuš from the band Kristali. This discussion, titled “Sad se svega sećam: Rock scena Srbije 90-ih godina,” will take place on September 26 at 19:30. It will also serve as a tribute to Dejan Gvozden, the late frontman of Kristali, celebrating his contributions to the music scene.
The festival will also honor Ivan Piko Stančić, a central figure in Yugoslav pop culture, particularly known for his role in the new wave movement. A conversation titled “Od 01 do 011 i obrnuto – Ritam novotalasne generacije Zagreba i Beograda kao životna misija” will be held on September 27, featuring participants such as Srđan Gojković Gile, Max Juričić, and Emil Tedeschi. This event will explore Stančić’s multifaceted contributions as a drummer, producer, and sound designer.
In addition to these discussions, the festival will include a tribute to Ljuba Ninković, a significant musician, composer, and radio host. This event, scheduled for September 25, will feature members of the bands S vremena na vreme and Tunel, as well as other notable figures from the Serbian music scene.
The festival’s program will also include the promotion of “Tajna starog hrasta,” a comprehensive art box set dedicated to Milan Manojlović Mance, an artist known for his unrestrained creativity and freedom. This set includes a collection of Mance’s musical and artistic works, along with a monograph and an exclusive vinyl record. The promotion event will take place on September 27, with contributions from editor Kornel Šeper and project initiator Emil Tedeschi.
Film screenings will be a significant component of the festival, with a lineup that includes the documentary “Svega će biti – maestro Radovan Papović” by Čedomir Marković, which portrays the life and work of a prominent Montenegrin music educator and conductor. Additionally, the festival will showcase a work-in-progress film about Toma Bebić, directed by Mladen Matičević, and a documentary on Livio Morosin by Ivan Živković.
The Dok’n’Ritam festival aims to not only celebrate the rich history of Serbian music but also to preserve and promote its legacy for future generations. By focusing on the influential rock scene of the 1990s, the festival highlights a period of significant cultural production and resilience in the face of adversity. The festival’s comprehensive program, which includes discussions, tributes, and film screenings, underscores its commitment to honoring the contributions of key figures in Serbian music and ensuring their stories continue to inspire.
