The twelfth edition of Bašta Fest, the international short film festival in Bajna Bašta, opened on Friday, October 24, in the “Vlaja” cinema of the “Kultura” institution with an opening speech by actress Nevena Nerandžić and addresses by festival founders Maja Šuša and Jovan Jelisavčić, after which films from the festival’s competition program were shown.

“I know that this festival may not be conceptually what you are used to from us, but I can’t say that I am dissatisfied because we will show the films in the cinema, which for me is the most important in the world”, said Jovan Jelisavčić. “I remember it in a much worse state, and today it has been digitalized and gives us the chance to watch all the film titles almost on the same day as the premiere in Belgrade. It traced my path, and therefore certainly influenced the fact that Bašta Fest happened”, concluded the co-founder of the festival.

Maja Šuša said in her opening speech: “This Bašta Fest in coats, which is very unusual for me to see, focuses on the film and educational program. This is how we were reminded of the basic values ​​and ideas from which we started: the quality and diverse author’s program that we bring to the local audience and a space for young authors to express and educate themselves, a place for meeting and dialogue. This is a year in which we all need tenderness, communication and hugs, so I wish you three such day.”

The festival was officially opened by actress Nevena Nerandžić: “I’m extremely glad that I’m back in Bašta and that we finally managed to get together this year, despite all the, to put it mildly, chaos that we live every day. And even though it’s not summer, and the program may not be entirely in the format we’re used to, I honestly prefer it even more — because I think the festival has only grown with this. It stood with the voice that’s being heard the loudest right now, and that’s the voice that calls for change. Thank you for proving to us year after year that there
is a space where true values ​​and artistic expression are freely nurtured.”

The festival was then opened with a short performance of cleaning the stage, in accordance with the festival slogan that tells us to start from our backyard.

The competition program of the festival includes 27 short fiction films from 17 countries, and the jury consists of actress Tamara Dragičević, director from Croatia Andrija Mardešić and producer from Montenegro Jelena Mišeljić. Director of photography Marko Cile Mladenović decides on the award for the best camera, while the youth jury consists of high school students from Bajina Bašta who make their decision on the award for the best film: Ivana Lukić, Pavle Živanović, Katarina Purković, Jovana Đurić, and Anđela Živanović, who will be mentored by director Mina Đukić. Ten young authors will participate in the Bašta Pitch workshop, presenting five projects for short fiction films. The festival will close with the award-winning debut feature film of Emilija Gašić – “78 Days”.

The entire program is free and takes place in the “Vlaja” cinema of the “Culture” Institution in Bajina Bašta.