The 13th edition of Balkans Beyond Borders Short Film Festival arrives this year in the city of Bitola, in North Macedonia, from the 19th to the 22nd of October. The title “Untiling” the Mosaic centers around notions of redefining the ‘mosaic’ which structures our society, offering its diversity as a tool for a new ‘way of seeing’ and creating. For us, the world is a mosaic composed of tiles so different from one another, yet one is part of the other. Differences in sex, in religion, in beliefs, in history, in perceptions, in taste, in financial or societal status. It is about time to “untile” the tiles of our world’s mosaic.
We invite the audience in Bitola to take part in the BBB spirit and experience, featuring a comprehensive programme of short films, mainly consisting of Balkan productions, as well as parallel events. All Festival activities will take place at the NI CENTER FOR CULTURE – BITOLA. This year’s Festival is a co-organization with SFERA International organization. The Jury consists of the awarded directors, Dina Duma from North Macedonia and Thanasis Neofotistos from Greece, as well as Jelena Miseljic, cultural professional from Montenegro. The awards are sponsored by the Ministry of culture of North Macedonia.
The programme of the Festival consists of film screening sessions, every evening from 18:00 to 23:00. It features the Competition Programme with 32 short films, representing Balkan filmmakers, the BBB Focus: Switzerland, with animated short films, curated by the Fantoche Animation Film Festival, a selection of Greek short films curated by the Greek Film Center, a selection of shorts from the hosting country North Macedonia by Cinedays Film Festival, a tribute to Vjosa Berisha, awarded director and Festival director from Kosovo, and BBB Beyond, with films created beyond the Balkan region.
The festival will be framed by parallel activities which include a photography workshop, about the art of narrating stories through photography which will evolve into a ‘Photo Marathon’, where participants will capture various countercultural elements out of daily life. The material of the Photo Marathon will be featured in an exhibition, in collaboration with the organization SEE in Action. Additionally, a scriptwriting workshop with screenwriter Onur Özcan will be initiated, the topic of which will be the problems that may arise in turning an ‘idea’ into ‘reality’. Fell free to join by filling the form.
Balkans Beyond Borders wishes to create a cultural and inspirational hub, forming a platform for fruitful collaborations, skills strengthening and cultural diplomacy. By preserving the region’s cultural heritage and promoting the diversity of the Balkans we aspire to foster a common ground for re-thinking beyond the preconceived notions of society and culture.
Screenings and events venue: NI CENTER FOR CULTURE – BITOLA
Entrance: FREE
PROGRAMME
Wednesday 19/10
16:00 – 18:00 Anthropology & Photography Workshop @ Center of Culture – Small screening hall)
19:00 – 20:00 Opening Ceremony & welcome drinks @ Center of Culture -Foyer
20:00 – 21:00 Competition Programme ‘Growing’ @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
21:15 – 22:15 Competition Programme ‘Be yourself’ @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
22:30 After Screenings Party – Porta Jazz
Thursday 20/10
11:30-16:30 ‘Photo Marathon’ with SEE in Action (subscriptions: Center of Culture- Foyer)
18:00 – 20:00 Competition Programme ‘Alone/Together’ @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
20:15 – 21:15 BBB&co Greek Shorts by the Greek Film Center @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
21:30 – 23:00 Competition Programme ‘Where do I belong’ @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
23:00 After Screenings Party @ Bar Carsija
Friday 21/10
12:00 – 14:00 Scriptwriting Workshop with Onur Özcan @ Center of Culture- Small screening hall
16:00 – 18:00 Opening of Photography Exhibition @ Center of Culture – Foyer
17:00 – 18:00 BBB Beyond @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
18:15 – 19:00 BBB Focus: Switzerland @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
19:15 – 21:15 Competition Programme ‘Alone in your decisions’ @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
21:30 – 22:45 Competition Programme ‘Work Duty’ @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
23:00 After Screenings Party @ Jagoda
Saturday 22/10
All day Photography Exhibition
17:00 – 18:15 Competition Programme ‘Diary’ @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
18:30 – 19:50 BBB & CO Tribute to Vjosa Berisha by PriFest @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
20:00 – 21:15 BBB & CO Shorts from North Macedonia by Cine Days Festival of European Films @ Center of Culture – Big Screening hall
21:30 – 22:00 Award Ceremony
22:00 – 00:00 Closing Party
More information is available on our website, our Facebook and our Instagram page (Balkans Beyond Borders). Contact us at info@balkansbeyondborders.eu
Find everything about the 13th EDITION of Balkans Beyond Borders Short Film Festival – “Untiling” the mosaic here!
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