September 27 to 28, 2024
2024 Book Bridge Festival
The inaugural Ponta Lopud Book Bridge gathered twelve writers from Croatia, Ireland, the United States, India, and South Africa for two days of workshops, talks, and discussions held in the inspiring setting of the renovated Rector’s Palace. The event aimed to build bridges between writers, inspiring and encouraging new collaborations.
The program featured a series of conversations with writers, workshops, and panel discussions exploring contemporary literary trends, the importance of the written word in the digital age, and literature’s role in promoting social awareness. The event succeeded in connecting various literary traditions and genres, allowing creators to share experiences and offering the audience deeper insights into the world of literature.
“It is a great honour to be on Lopud with such a distinguished group of lecturers, especially with our Rajko Grlić, with whom I have collaborated and whose work I deeply admire, and with Nebojša, who, earlier this year brought Croatia its first Palme d’Or from Cannes, an extraordinary achievement.”
Said the acclaimed Croatian-American music editor, Suzana Perić.
“It is an exceptional feeling to be among people who have inspired me and from whom I have learned throughout my career. This is precisely the value that Ponta Lopud provides, not only to students who gain significant breadth from such a line-up of lecturers but also to us, as we can apply new experiences to our work through these exchanges,”
Concluded Nebojša Slijepčević, this year’s Palme d’Or winner at Cannes.
“The educational aspect of this event is paramount. In all the festivals I’ve attended, the educational content is what is produced, while everything else is merely displayed. What truly matters is producing something meaningful. If we can share our experiences and insights with young people, our future colleagues, then we have accomplished our goal,”
Said the award-winning Croatian director and screenwriter, Rajko Grlić.
Masterclasses
Each day of the festival, fellows immerse themselves in masterclasses led by our resident masters and guests of honor. Covering everything from acting and directing workshops to cinematography sessions around Lopud Island and in-depth reviews of our guests’ careers—spanning producers, talent agents, and directors—these sessions offer concrete, actionable advice to help fellows advance their own projects.
Program Highlights
Evening screenings showcased a curated selection of critically acclaimed films at two premier festival locations, the Franciscan Monastery – Lopud 1483 and La Baya Beach – RMH Lopud Lafodia Resort & Wellness.
27/09/2024
The festival opened with presentations by Alison Langley (Budapest Noir: Ilona Gets a Phone) and Cauvery Madhavan (Inheritance), offering insights into their creative processes. Colette Victor led an engaging workshop on the power of personal narratives, while Ivana Lovrić Jović discussed the concept of “women’s prose” in literature. The day also included a poetry workshop by Katja Knežević and concluded with a vibrant discussion featuring David McWilliams and Adrian Kane.
28/09/2024
Paul Fagan began the day with a compelling talk on celibacy in Irish women’s writing, focusing on the works of Elizabeth Bowen. This was followed by a roundtable discussion with Alison Langley, Wendy Erskine, Cauvery Madhavan, and Paul Fagan, moderated by Staša Aras. Danijela Crljen presented I’m Not a Writer, Except When I Write, sharing her unique perspective on creative identity, and Wendy Erskine closed the literary program with her reflections on the myths, realities, and pleasures of short stories.
Concert by Draško Adžić
The evening featured a mesmerizing concert by renowned stage music composer Draško Adžić. His performance created a perfect blend of music and literature, offering a memorable and harmonious conclusion to the festival.
Program Highlights
Planting Legacy
Ruben Östlund, Edward Norton, and masterclass participants planted a palm tree in Đorđić-Mayneri Park, continuing the festival’s tradition of leaving a lasting symbol of its connection with Lopud.
Authors
James Candon
Initiator and Collaborator
An Irish lawyer living between Belgium and Croatia, James holds a Master’s degree in Literature from the University of Leuven (Belgium). As the General Director of United Eur
Alison Langley
A retired foreign correspondent, whose first short story appeared in The Pig’s Back two years ago. This year, another was short-listed for the Bournemouth Writing Prize. Some of
Colette Victor
An award-winning author, creative writing tutor, and teacher on ‘the story’. She lives and works in Brussels. As a community worker in a disadvantaged ex-mining community in Ge
Cauvery Madhavan
Born in India and moved to Ireland 37 years ago. Her latest book, The Inheritance, evokes the rich landscape of Ireland’s Beara Peninsula, its history of conflict and resistance.
David McWilliams
An economist, author, podcaster, journalist, documentarian, and broadcaster. He is the founder of the world’s only economics and stand-up comedy festival, Kilkenomics. He also co
Ivana Lovrić Jović
A linguist and author, currently serving as a Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Croatian Language in Zagreb. Her research includes a focus on the Dubrovnik dialect, am
Katja Knežević
An award-winning poet and short story writer. She won the ‘Sea of Words’ literary competition organized by IEMed and the Anna Lindh Foundation with her short story, Invisible M
Adrian Kane
A national secretary with SIPTU, responsible for the Transport, Energy, Aviation, and Construction Division of the union. He first became active in the trade union movement in his
Dalibor Šimpraga
A writer, literary critic, and newspaper editor. Kavice Andreja Puplina, his debut collection of short stories, became a success in 2002 and is still regarded as the finest example
Paul Fagan
Assistant Professor at LMU Munich and the leader of the Irish Research Council project Celibacy in Irish Women’s Writing 1860s–1950s. He is the co-founder of both the Internati
Staša Aras
A Croatian author whose opus consists of several poetry collections, collections of short stories, and the award-winning novel Horror vacui. She organizes literary events and has b
Wendy Erskine
The author of two prize-winning short story collections, Sweet Home and Dance Move, both published by Stinging Fly and Picador. Her debut novel, The Benefactors, will be published
Danijela Crljen
A Croatian economist, writer, and professor. She entered the world of literature in 2021 when her debut novel Strah od kupine (Naklada Fragment) was published, which has since gone
James Candon
Initiator and Collaborator
An Irish lawyer living between Belgium and Croatia, James holds a Master’s degree in Literature from the University of Leuven (Belgium). As the General Director of United Eur
Alison Langley
A retired foreign correspondent, whose first short story appeared in The Pig’s Back two years ago. This year, another was short-listed for the Bournemouth Writing Prize. Some of
Colette Victor
An award-winning author, creative writing tutor, and teacher on ‘the story’. She lives and works in Brussels. As a community worker in a disadvantaged ex-mining community in Ge
Cauvery Madhavan
Born in India and moved to Ireland 37 years ago. Her latest book, The Inheritance, evokes the rich landscape of Ireland’s Beara Peninsula, its history of conflict and resistance.
David McWilliams
An economist, author, podcaster, journalist, documentarian, and broadcaster. He is the founder of the world’s only economics and stand-up comedy festival, Kilkenomics. He also co
Ivana Lovrić Jović
A linguist and author, currently serving as a Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Croatian Language in Zagreb. Her research includes a focus on the Dubrovnik dialect, am
Katja Knežević
An award-winning poet and short story writer. She won the ‘Sea of Words’ literary competition organized by IEMed and the Anna Lindh Foundation with her short story, Invisible M
Adrian Kane
A national secretary with SIPTU, responsible for the Transport, Energy, Aviation, and Construction Division of the union. He first became active in the trade union movement in his
Dalibor Šimpraga
A writer, literary critic, and newspaper editor. Kavice Andreja Puplina, his debut collection of short stories, became a success in 2002 and is still regarded as the finest example
Paul Fagan
Assistant Professor at LMU Munich and the leader of the Irish Research Council project Celibacy in Irish Women’s Writing 1860s–1950s. He is the co-founder of both the Internati
Staša Aras
A Croatian author whose opus consists of several poetry collections, collections of short stories, and the award-winning novel Horror vacui. She organizes literary events and has b
Wendy Erskine
The author of two prize-winning short story collections, Sweet Home and Dance Move, both published by Stinging Fly and Picador. Her debut novel, The Benefactors, will be published
Danijela Crljen
A Croatian economist, writer, and professor. She entered the world of literature in 2021 when her debut novel Strah od kupine (Naklada Fragment) was published, which has since gone
Fellows
Directors
Marija Apčevska
North Macedonian director born in Bitola in 1987. She holds a BA in Film and TV Directing (Faculty of Dramatic Arts, Skopje) and an MA in Film and Media Production (New York Film A
Kukla – Katarina Bogdanović
Slovenian director born in 1991 in Brežice. A graduate of the Film Academy in Ljubljana, her short film Sisters (2020) won the Grand Prix at Clermont-Ferrand in 2021. Her debut fe
Matija Gluščević
Serbian director born in 1995 in Užice. He studied Film and Television Directing at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade. His short documentary Utopia (2016) was screened at t
Juraj Lerotić
Croatian director born in 1978 in Kiel, Germany. He studied Film and Television Directing at the Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb. His short film Then I See Tanja (2012) premiered
Ivan Salatić
Montenegrin director and screenwriter born in 1982 in Dubrovnik. He graduated from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Cetinje and earned a Master’s in Film at the University of Fine
Norika Sefa
Kosovar director born in 1991 in Gjakova. She graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. Her short hybrid documentaries include Desde Arriba (2020) and Kiss Me, Now (
Ena Sendijarević
Bosnian director born in 1987 in Odžak, raised in the Netherlands. She studied Film Theory at the University of Amsterdam and the Free University of Berlin, graduating from the Ne
Dušan Zorić
Serbian director born in 1992 in Zagreb. He studied Film and Television Directing at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade. His short documentary Love (2017) premiered at Vision
Actors
Florist Bajgora
Kosovar actor born in 1995 in Prishtina. He studied acting at the Faculty of Arts, University of Prishtina. His international debut was in the short film Kiem Holijanda (2017), whi
Lazar Dragojević
Montenegrin actor born in 1997 in Podgorica. A graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo, he discovered his passion for the stage early on. He gained recognition with
Jurij Drevenšek
Slovenian actor born in 1985 in Maribor. A graduate of the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television at the University of Ljubljana, he has performed over 40 theatre roles, in
Muhamed Hadžović
Bosnian actor born in 1984 in Sarajevo. A graduate of the Academy of Performing Arts at the University of Sarajevo, he has appeared in over 30 films and TV series and over 30 theat
Tihana Lazović
Croatian actress born in 1990 in Zadar. A graduate of the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb, her debut role was in The Priest’s Children (2013). She won the Breza Award for Best
Milan Marić
Serbian actor born in 1990 in Belgrade. A graduate of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, he joined the Yugoslav Drama Theatre and has performed at major theatres across Serb
Natalija Teodosijeva
Northern Macedonian actress born in 1990 in Kočani. A graduate of the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Skopje, she works in film, theatre, and dance productions. She won Best Leading A
Ivana Vuković
Serbian actress born in 1987 in Kragujevac. She studied acting at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad and has performed extensively in theatre. Her film debut was in Sisters (2011), fo
Cinematographers
Gaja Naja Rojec
Slovenian cinematographer and producer born in 1993 in Ljubljana. A graduate of the Academy of Theatre, Radio, Film and Television at the University of Ljubljana, she has worked as
Bojana Andrić
Serbian cinematographer born in 1983 in Valjevo. She studied Film and TV Camera at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade. Her feature film credits include Little Buddho (2014), The Samur
Sara Bernarda Moritz
Croatian cinematographer born in 1988 in Zagreb. She earned her Master’s in Filming at the Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb. Sara has worked as a director of photography and col
