PRIFEST MOVES DATES TO July 6, 2017

Prishtina International Film Festival, the biggest and most important film industry event in Kosovo, decided to move its dates in July 2017. The 9th edition of the festival is scheduled for 13-20 July in Prishtina, Kosovo. The management of this festival took this decision for a number of reasons:

“– In our endless efforts to find an appropriate venue for the festival, and seeing the instability of weather conditions in April, which restricts us from holding outdoor screenings and organizing open air venues, we had to take the decision to move the festival permanently. We looked at the appropriate period of the year that can offer overall better logistics to organize this important event professionally and in a decent venue. Looking at the calendar of international festivals in the region and internationally, July resulted as a more appropriate month, therefore we had to take a decision and move the dates for summer time.

We are very enthusiastic because we also got a confirmation today from the Managing Board of the National Theatre in Prishtina that in July it is possible to use the National Theatre as the main venue of the festival. This is a great news for us because National Theatre is where the festival started nine years ago and we used that venue until 6th edition, so going back to our home makes us feel very positive and we look forward to the new edition happening in July.

 

I personally and on behalf of my team would like to thank Mr. Kujtim Shala, Minister of Culture, the National Theatre Managing Board and the Executive Director Agim Sopi for supporting us and offering this important building to use it during the week of the festival.  In July, the festival will be able to use also more outdoor venues for its activities because the weather will be warmer and this will give another dimension to the festival. The capital of Kosovo, Prishtina will have an opportunity to offer its citizens and guests a great film industry and cultural event with an international focus during one week in July. Many international guests and great film premieres are coming to Prishtina during this week and this is why all we have to do now is promise a great 9th edition of PriFest in the week 13-20th July” – said Vjosa Berisha, Director of PriFest.

The festival has by now finished most of its preparatory work and promises to have great programme with many premieres for its audience. In addition many experts, guests and visitors are expected to visit the festival by creating a dynamic film and cultural vibe in the capital of Kosovo. The festival has reopened all its calls for film entries, Best Pitch, Prishtina Kino Kabaret, etc. and to apply and take part in the 9th edition you are encouraged to visit www.prifest.net

 

About Prishtina International Film Festival (PriFest)

PriFest is the biggest and most important film industry event in Kosovo. It emerged as a need to bring back and build the cinema culture which was lost during many years of repression and war. PriFest is an opportunity to young filmmakers from Kosovo, who because of the visa regime have big limitation to travel freely in Europe and elsewhere, to meet filmmakers and experts from the region and Europe that visit the festival and increase their chances to network and coproduce their films. PriFest film program offer the audience every year newest films from Europe, Balkan and the world, with addition special programs that promote human rights, tolerance and acceptance for marginalized groups of society. It is the only festival in the Balkan that has a special program of films with the LGBT theme which is done in partnership with Outfest in Los Angeles. Besides films, the festival has a very good regional development platform that offers training, lectures, inspirational masterclasses from distinguished guests and other opportunities for filmmakers from Kosovo and the neighboring countries to benefit from. It is a great networking event for filmmakers from Kosovo, the region and Europe. To date PriFest was visited by Ms. Vanessa Redgrave (British Actress) who is also the President of our Honorary Board, Stephen Frears (British Director), Joshua Marston (American Director), Franco Nero (Italian Actor), Eva Orner (Australian producer), Gideon Burkhard (German actor), Samuel Maoz (Izraeli director), Danis Tanovic (Bosnian director), Velibor Topic (Bosnian actor), Jasmila Zbanic (Bosnian director), Mirjana Karanovic (Serbian actress) and other important guests. We like to think that PriFest is a true cultural diplomacy tool for a new country like Kosovo to present itself to the world in the best possible light.

The slogan of the festival is Friendship. Forever.