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“Balkan CineFest” is a place where you can discover ambitious films by creators from the Balkans.
Balkan CineFest is a platform for discovering ambitious films from the Balkans. You can participate in the festival by submitting entries in four categories: Student film, Short film, Feature film and Tirana Artscape.
From thought-provoking imagery to captivating narratives, each film is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Balkan spirit.
Our mission: 1) To provide a platform for fresh voices, showcasing the immense talent and potential in our region 2) To empower emerging filmmakers to tell their stories and explore their identities 3) To engage with global issues through the transformative power of cinema.
With a special focus on student films, we aim to enhance collaboration among universities and film schools in the Balkans through artistic encounters.
Collaborators of first edition of “Balkan Student CineFest”:
Eno Milkani
Film Director
Cinematographer and Producer based in Tirane Albania. He is known for the film “Sorrow of Mme. Shnajder” and “Abandoned Eden” as Director and Editor. From 2016 he is coo-producer of Blerta Zeqiri’s “The Marriage” and Producer of several documentaries and short films like “Anna” directed by Ajola Daja, “Acorss the River” directed by Sabir Kanaqi, “The Professional” Directed by Atina Laco, “Man” directed by Arur Dauti etc. He is Producer of “Open Door” 2019 directed by Florenc Papas.
Meri Dishnica
Screenwriter / Director
Screenwriter and director with a background in psychology, offers a distinctive viewpoint to her storytelling. Since 2019, she has dedicated herself to freelancing as a writer and script reader. In 2023, she achieved significant recognition with her debut short film, “BUBBLES,” earning praise at international festivals. Presently, she’s at the outset of producing her first feature-length film in Italy. Meri ensures the protection of her creative endeavors through registration with The U.S. Copyright Office.
Alessandro De Rosa
Composer / Writer
Alessandro De Rosa (Milan, 1985) is an Italian composer, arranger and producer. He studied composition with Boris Porena following Ennio Morricone’s advice and graduated from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in the Netherlands. He has worked with artists such as Jon Anderson of Yes, Fantine Tho, Irene Grandi and for numerous agencies and companies specialising in providing music for the media. Together with Morricone, he is co-author of the book ‘Ennio Morricone – In his own words. Ennio Morricone in conversation with Alessandro De Rosa’ (Oxford University Press, 2019, 2020, 2022)’ – the Maestro’s official autobiography, originally published in 2016 in Italy by Mondadori Libri and translated into several of the most spoken languages in the world – the podcast ‘Io e Ennio Morricone’ and participated in Giuseppe Tornatore’s documentary ‘Ennio’. Among his concert pieces: Duetto per violini, Gravità Ritrovata per Orchestra, commissioned and performed by the Residentie Orkest for its 110th anniversary, and the opera Trashmedy, premiered at the 63rd Biennale Musica in Venice. During these last years De Rosa worked as the Pastelle Music’s Head of A\R and Talent Manager and he is still active as a populariser author and speaker on broadcasters such as RSI and RAI. Some movies he has set to music include Zero Waste Garbage-Free Naples by Raffaele Brunetti, Gone Back by Ernest Meholli, Amarena by Sabrina Iannucci, Distress Call by Michele D’Anca and Bubbles by Meri Dishnica. http://www.alessandroderosa.com
Edin Jašarović
Dean of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts - Cetinje
Assoc. Prof. Ph.D. Edin Jašarović was born on June 9, 1982. in Podgorica, Montenegro. He completed his Master studies at the University of Arts in Belgrade, at the UNESCO Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies – Management in Culture and Cultural Policy of the Balkans.
In 2016 he defended his doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade. From 2017 to 2020 he was a member of the Council of the Montenegrin National Theatre.
Later in 2020 he was appointed as the president of the Council of the Film Center of Montenegro. In addition to FDA – Cetinje, he also teaches at the Faculty of Political Sciences, Music Academy and the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Montenegro where he teaches courses: Management in Culture, Cultural Policy, Intercultural Projects, Creative Industries, Media Theory, Methodology of Artistic and Scientific Research, etc.
From 2021 is a member of the Committee for Doctoral Studies of the Senate of the University of Montenegro. He received recognition from the University of Montenegro for the achieved outstanding results and contribution to the development of scientific-research, artistic and professional activities at FDA – Cetinje in 2018. By the decision of the Managing Board of University of Montenegro in 2020. he was appointed as a Dean of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts – Cetinje for the mandate period until 2023, and for the second term mandate from 2023 to 2026.
DokuFest, International Documentary and Short Film Festival, is the largest film festival in Kosovo. Each year the festival fills the cinemas and improvised screening venues around the historic center of Prizren with a selection of more than 200 hand-picked films from around the world.
In 2002, DokuFest was established with the vision of reinvigorating cinema and enriching the cultural landscape of Prizren. Over the years, it has evolved into the premier documentary and short film festival in Southeast Europe. Notably, since 2019, DokuFest has earned the esteemed status of being a BAFTA qualifying festival for short films, and in 2022, it was designated as a nominating festival for the prestigious European Film Academy.
The festival spans nine exciting days filled with captivating events, including documentary photo exhibitions, engaging debates, informative master classes, and vibrant music performances. DokuFest offers a diverse and immersive experience, celebrating the art of filmmaking while fostering dialogue and appreciation for the cinematic arts in the region.