The National Film and Television Festival (NAFFIT) in Zlatibor, Serbia, has concluded, leaving many questions unanswered about its organization and transparency. The festival, which ended on September 6, has been criticized for its lack of information regarding the selection of films and series, the decision-making process for awards, and the identities of those responsible for these decisions. Despite these uncertainties, several awards were distributed, including the prestigious Award for Contribution to World Cinema, which was presented to renowned actress Nastasja Kinski.
Kinski, a celebrated figure in international cinema, received her award from Serbia’s Minister of Culture, Nikola Selaković. During the ceremony, Selaković praised Kinski as a “world-class” actress, highlighting her collaborations with numerous significant filmmakers throughout her career. In her acceptance speech, Kinski encouraged the audience to remain hopeful and loving, and she reminisced about her role in the film “Savior,” directed by Predrag Gaga Antonijević, which was also featured at this year’s festival.
The festival recognized the film “Harvest” as the best film, while the TV series “Fortress” was awarded the best series, along with seven other accolades. “Harvest,” directed by Paul Kampf and based on the novel “Serbian Heart” by Veselin Dželetović, is a national project produced by TS Media, the Film Center of Serbia, Bandur Film, and Delius. The film follows a character experiencing visions after a heart transplant, leading him to Kosovo. However, the film has faced criticism from some quarters, with Vreme film critic Đorđe Bajić suggesting that the resources spent on its production could have been better utilized elsewhere.
“Fortress,” produced by RTS, Miloš Avramović, and the production house “Režim,” explores the lives of two young people, a Serb and a Croat, during the breakup of Yugoslavia and the formation of the Republic of Srpska Krajina. The series has been praised for its portrayal of family dynamics, although it has also been critiqued for romanticizing certain political and military aspects of the era.
The festival’s organization has been under scrutiny, with little known about the creators or the criteria for the selection of films and series. The event was organized with support from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, the Film Center of Serbia, and the Zlatibor Cultural Center. The Russian Federation was a partner of the festival, and guests from China were also present, reflecting the festival’s international partnerships.
This year’s NAFFIT faced a boycott from Serbian film associations, which have expressed dissatisfaction with the festival’s lack of transparency and its alignment with foreign interests. The absence of a comprehensive main program and the reliance on pre-festival screenings have been points of contention. Critics have also pointed out that the festival’s website is non-existent, further complicating access to information about the event.
The festival’s conclusion with a gala evening dedicated to Radoslav Vladić, a prominent cinematographer and director of photography, was another decision that raised eyebrows, as it deviated from the traditional closing ceremonies of film festivals worldwide.
The future of NAFFIT and its impact on Serbian cinema remain uncertain. The festival’s organization and execution have sparked debate within the film community, with calls for greater transparency and accountability. The Ministry of Culture’s involvement and the significant financial support it provided underscore the festival’s importance to the Serbian cultural landscape, but the controversies surrounding its execution may influence its credibility and future role in the film industry.
