The 72/73 Martovski Festival, one of the oldest film festivals in Europe, will showcase a diverse selection of films on the second day of its program, scheduled for September 22, 2026. This year’s festival, held at the Dom omladine in Belgrade, features a lineup of nine films that delve into themes of personal and collective loss, family relationships, growing up, aging, migration, and artistic heritage.
The festival’s competitive programs include four films in the international competition, four in the domestic short film competition, and a long documentary film. The international competition will commence at 5 PM with four premieres. Among these is “Choice” (Severna Makedonija, 2025), a short film by Marko Crnogorski. It tells the story of a young mother facing the repercussions of a new law that bans her scheduled abortion, forcing her to consider an illegal procedure. The film highlights the impact of restrictive legislation on women’s reproductive rights.
Following this is “Role Play” (Crna Gora, 2024) by Ilija Zeković, which portrays a 60-year-old history professor who invites a young prostitute to celebrate his birthday, exploring themes of loneliness and companionship. The animated film “Melancholy of the Minotaur: the sketches for the labyrinth” (Japan, 2024) by Yujin Iwai, offers a unique narrative through the daily life of a Minotaur trapped in a labyrinth. The block concludes with “The Speed Of The Distance Between Us” (USA, 2024) by Yuval Shapire, a documentary focusing on Arab and Israeli parents coping with the loss of their children.
At 7 PM, the domestic short film competition will present four films with varying poetic styles and approaches. “Kralj Ničega” (2024) by Alekse Gajić follows a Belgrade artist undergoing a transformation after his mother’s death. “Ripple” (2024) by Pavle Aleksandar Subotić captures the final moments of an underwater welder’s life, while “Reka” (2024) by Uglješa Srđan Ranisavljević tells the story of a boy dealing with his father’s death and family changes. The block ends with “Vreme zalaska sunca” (2025) by Ognjen Petković, which addresses the challenges faced by the elderly in modern society.
The day’s program concludes at 9 PM with the long documentary “Priča o Subi” (2025) by Andrej Milinović. This film chronicles the artistic journey of Mitar Subotić Suba, whose avant-garde music significantly influenced both the Serbian and Brazilian music scenes. From his beginnings in Novi Sad to his impact in São Paulo, the documentary celebrates Suba’s legacy and artistic freedom.
The 72/73 Martovski Festival runs from September 21 to 27, 2026, combining selections from 2025 and 2026. It offers audiences a chance to experience new and award-winning films from both domestic and international filmmakers, many of which are premiering in Serbia. Tickets are available at the Dom omladine box office and online, priced at 500 RSD.
