The sixth Ponta Lopud Film Festival begins today, and the island of Lopud is already buzzing with festival spirit. Lecturers, guests and participants from Croatia, the region and around the world have arrived on the island, immersing themselves in its unique atmosphere through walks along its historic streets, encounters with the local community and the first festival gatherings. Dedicated to film music and the life and work of Ennio Morricone, this year’s edition presents a carefully curated programme that brings together film screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions and an open-air concert beneath the stars.

Last night’s screening of Giuseppe Tornatore’s documentary Ennio (2021) opened the introductory programme of the sixth Ponta Lopud Film Festival. Through archival footage and personal conversations, the film offers an intimate portrait of the legendary composer and reveals the extraordinary influence his incomparable musical vision has had on the history of cinema. The screening was introduced by music writer and Morricone’s long-time collaborator Alessandro De Rosa. Later that evening, the international exhibition Nomadia opened in the former Hotel Pracat, featuring works by artists Deša Petričić Vlahutin, Nikolina Šimunović and Carla Chiusano. The opening was accompanied by a performance by acclaimed cellist Ana Rucner.

“I have just arrived at this wonderful festival, and I already feel as though I have become part of one big festival family. Today I had the honour of presenting Giuseppe Tornatore’s documentary Ennio, and watching it again reminded me of the universal values and emotions that resonate with audiences around the world. The documentary, much like Ennio Morricone’s life itself, is imbued with love, passion and an unwavering commitment to exploring one’s own identity and artistic calling. That is precisely why I am especially happy to be here,” said Alessandro De Rosa.

Today, festival participants begin the educational programme with a brief introductory lecture and internal consultations between mentors and participants developing two film projects during their stay on Lopud. This will be followed by a masterclass with British film critic Mark Kermode on the role of film criticism and cinema from the region, as well as a practical workshop on character development led by actor, director and producer Dragan Bjelogrlić and French actor, screenwriter and co-writer of Les Misérables, Jury Prize winner at the Cannes Film Festival, Alexis Manenti, who also stars in one of the film’s leading roles.

Following the press conference and welcome reception, the Grand Hotel garden will host a screening of the biographical drama Bob Marley: One Love (2024) at 9:00 PM. The film will be personally introduced by its director, Reinaldo Marcus Green. At 11:00 PM, audiences will have the opportunity to revisit Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name (2017), presented by the film’s producer Peter Spears ahead of its upcoming tenth anniversary. Together, these two screenings set the stage for three days of outstanding cinema, conversations and encounters.

Tickets for film screenings and the concert are available through the Entrio ticketing platform. Throughout the festival, audiences will also have access to a dedicated boat transfer aboard the Argosy from Dubrovnik. Departure is scheduled for 6:00 PM from Lapad, in front of the Faculty of Economics, while return departures from Lopud will operate according to the timetable available at pontalopud.hr.

The Ponta Lopud Creative Platform presents three cultural programmes throughout the summer of 2026 and warmly welcomes everyone passionate about the arts, especially film, music and literature. The Ponta Lopud Film Festival, the first of the three events, takes place from June 25 to 28 and is dedicated to the art of cinema. It will be followed by the popular Ponta Lopud Jazz Festival from August 27 to 29, bringing music lovers to the island, while Ponta Lopud Book Bridge, held from September 17 to 19, will transform Lopud into a literary haven and bring the season’s cultural programme to a close.