July 01 to 05, 2021
2021 Film Festival
The inaugural Ponta Lopud Film Festival welcomed the renowned director and Oscar winner Pawel Pawlikowski led the masterclasses, sharing his filmmaking process and presenting his ideas and projects to 15 selected directors and actors from the region and beyond. Joining him were fellow Oscar winner Danis Tanović and acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Michel Franco, enriching the masterclasses with their expertise.
“It was wonderful at Ponta Lopud. I will recommend to all my friends from the film world that they come here if they receive an invitation. This is a beautiful, creative, and fun adventure. I’m delighted that I came here.”
Paweł Pawlikowski – Oscar Winning Director, Film Festival 2021
Masterclasses
Each day, Paweł Pawlikowski, joined by esteemed guests Michel Franco and Danis Tanović, led masterclasses for our fellows. Together, they examined examples from each Paweł’s body of work, offering real-world insights, and provided practical guidance as the fellows presented their own projects for in-depth critique.
Film Screenings
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.
02/07/2021
“Cold War” (2018): Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, this Oscar-nominated historical drama tells the story of a music director who falls in love with a singer and attempts to persuade her to escape communist Poland for France. The screening took place at the Franciscan Monastery, adding to the film’s poignant atmosphere.
03/07/2021
“My Summer of Love” (2004): A British drama directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, based on Helen Cross’s novel. The film explores a romantic relationship between two young women from different classes and backgrounds, showcasing themes of love, desire, and societal divides. Screened at La Baja Beach, under the stars.
04/07/2021
“La Promesse” (1996): Directed by the Dardenne brothers, this gripping drama follows a young boy grappling with guilt after the death of an undocumented immigrant exploited by his father. The film was introduced with a live piano performance by neoclassical composer Antonija Pacek, creating a memorable evening at La Baja Beach.
Side Programs
Planting Legacy
Masters &
Guests of Honour
Pawel Pawlikowski
A BAFTA and Academy Award-winning director, Pawel Pawlikowski is celebrated for “Ida” (Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, 2015) and “Cold War” (Oscar nom
Michel Franco
An award-winning Mexican filmmaker, Michel Franco is known for “Chronic” (Best Screenplay, Cannes 2015), “After Lucia” (Un Certain Regard Award, Cannes 2012
Danis Tanović
Bosnian director Danis Tanović’s debut “No Man’s Land” won the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film in 2002. His other notable works include ̶
Pawel Pawlikowski
A BAFTA and Academy Award-winning director, Pawel Pawlikowski is celebrated for “Ida” (Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, 2015) and “Cold War” (Oscar nom
Michel Franco
An award-winning Mexican filmmaker, Michel Franco is known for “Chronic” (Best Screenplay, Cannes 2015), “After Lucia” (Un Certain Regard Award, Cannes 2012
Danis Tanović
Bosnian director Danis Tanović’s debut “No Man’s Land” won the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film in 2002. His other notable works include ̶
Fellows
Directors
Urška Djukić
A Slovenian director born in 1986, studied at the Academy of Arts, University of Nova Gorica. Her animated short, Bon Appétit, La Vie!, won a Best Short Film Award. In 2018, she c
Ognjen Glavonić
Ognjen is a filmmaker from Pančevo, Serbia. His films were shown at festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, Rotterdam and many others, winning several awards. His work was also show
Marko Đorđević
Graduated from the University of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, specializing in Film and Television Directing. His debut feature, “My Morning Laughter,” premiered at the Author Fil
Dubravka Turić
A director, screenwriter, and editor, graduated from Zagreb’s Academy of Dramatic Art. Her short films Belladonna, Cherries, and Tina have won awards and screened at major fe
Dana Budisavljević
A graduate of the Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb, specializes in film and TV editing. She has worked as an editor, production assistant, and film festival organizer, and now dir
Eleonora Veninova
Eleonora is a writer/director with a BA in journalism from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, an MA in Screenwriting from California State University Northridge, and tra
Urška Djukić
A Slovenian director born in 1986, studied at the Academy of Arts, University of Nova Gorica. Her animated short, Bon Appétit, La Vie!, won a Best Short Film Award. In 2018, she c
Ognjen Glavonić
Ognjen is a filmmaker from Pančevo, Serbia. His films were shown at festivals in Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, Rotterdam and many others, winning several awards. His work was also show
Marko Đorđević
Graduated from the University of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, specializing in Film and Television Directing. His debut feature, “My Morning Laughter,” premiered at the Author Fil
Dubravka Turić
A director, screenwriter, and editor, graduated from Zagreb’s Academy of Dramatic Art. Her short films Belladonna, Cherries, and Tina have won awards and screened at major fe
Dana Budisavljević
A graduate of the Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb, specializes in film and TV editing. She has worked as an editor, production assistant, and film festival organizer, and now dir
Eleonora Veninova
Eleonora is a writer/director with a BA in journalism from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, an MA in Screenwriting from California State University Northridge, and tra
Actors
Nika Rozman
Nika, a Slovenian actress born in 1985, is celebrated for her work in theater and film. She has over 30 theater credits, including roles like Juliet, Ophelia, and Lulu, and starred
Iva Mihalić
Iva Mihalić, born in 1985, is a renowned Croatian actress and member of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb since 2011. A graduate of the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb, s
Natasha Petrovikj
A North Macedonian actress born in 1988, graduated from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Skopje. She co-founded Theatra in 2010 and works at the Theatre for Children and Youth in Sk
May-Linda Kosumović
A Kosovar actress born in Canada, graduated from the Academy of Arts in Kosovo. She has starred in films showcased at festivals like Locarno, San Sebastian, and Gothenburg, and has
Toni Gojanović
A Croatian actor born in 1982, graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb in 2006. He has starred in films and series like Success, The Border Post, and Before We Die. I
Filip Đurić
A Serbian actor born in 1986, is known for his work in television, film, and theater. He trained at the Dečja radionica and Drama Studio in Kragujevac, later earning bachelor̵
Rozafa Celaj
A Kosovar actress and director born in 1995, began her artistic journey in music school, studying violin, piano, guitar, and singing. She graduated in TV and Film Directing from th
Igor Skvarica
Igor is a Bosnian-Herzegovinian actor born in 1986, graduated from Sarajevo’s Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has performed at leading theaters and starred in films like Souther
Nika Rozman
Nika, a Slovenian actress born in 1985, is celebrated for her work in theater and film. She has over 30 theater credits, including roles like Juliet, Ophelia, and Lulu, and starred
Iva Mihalić
Iva Mihalić, born in 1985, is a renowned Croatian actress and member of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb since 2011. A graduate of the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb, s
Natasha Petrovikj
A North Macedonian actress born in 1988, graduated from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Skopje. She co-founded Theatra in 2010 and works at the Theatre for Children and Youth in Sk
May-Linda Kosumović
A Kosovar actress born in Canada, graduated from the Academy of Arts in Kosovo. She has starred in films showcased at festivals like Locarno, San Sebastian, and Gothenburg, and has
Toni Gojanović
A Croatian actor born in 1982, graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb in 2006. He has starred in films and series like Success, The Border Post, and Before We Die. I
Filip Đurić
A Serbian actor born in 1986, is known for his work in television, film, and theater. He trained at the Dečja radionica and Drama Studio in Kragujevac, later earning bachelor̵
Rozafa Celaj
A Kosovar actress and director born in 1995, began her artistic journey in music school, studying violin, piano, guitar, and singing. She graduated in TV and Film Directing from th
Igor Skvarica
Igor is a Bosnian-Herzegovinian actor born in 1986, graduated from Sarajevo’s Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has performed at leading theaters and starred in films like Souther
Cinematographers
Haddis Alemayehu
Haddis Alemayehu is a MasinQo player revitalizing this ancient Ethiopian instrument. Self-taught since 2008, he co-founded Moseb Band, launched “One String One World,” and form
Žiga Smrdel
Žiga Smrdel is a Slovenian drummer, composer, and bandleader who has collaborated with renowned artists like Jure Pukl and Igor Matkovič. A member of WCKD Nation and Mind Tree Tr
Stevan Milijanović
Stevan Milijanović, a Serbian saxophonist and composer born in Čačak in 1996, is known for his work with the EJO ensemble. Their album Ptica received critical acclaim, and Steva
Rastko Obradović
Serbian saxophonist Rastko Obradović, a graduate of Oslo’s jazz program, has performed with acclaimed artists like Bojan Z and Dhafer Youssef. A recipient of Serbia’s 2018 GOD
Mirsad Dalipi
Kosovo-born drummer Mirsad Dalipi is a co-founder of Gipsy Groove, a band promoting tolerance through jazz and funk fusion. Now based in Zagreb, Mirsad has performed extensively ac
Milena Jančurić
Milena Jančurić, a flutist and Berklee College of Music alumna, bridges classical and improvised music in her performances. Collaborating with artists like Danilo Pérez, she rel
Lidija Strika
Croatian bassist and bandleader Lidija Strika blends jazz, soul, and psychedelic rock in her music. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, she formed her quartet durin
Lana Janjanin
Lana Janjanin, a Zagreb-born pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer, combines classical training with a passion for jazz and soul. A graduate of the University for Music and Perf
