Festival dates and locations

The 9th Euro Balkan Film Festival will run from 31 October to 7 November in Rome, showcasing 11 feature films and 12 short films in competition. The event will take place at multiple venues, including Casa del Cinema, Cinema Farnese, Cinema Troisi, and Palazzo San Lorenzo.

Festival theme and focus

The festival's theme, "Europe is not turning its back on the Balkans," highlights topics such as identity, conflict, emancipation, and memory. It aims to explore the complex relationships and shared histories between Europe and the Balkans.

Opening films and highlights

The festival will open on 31 October with two films: Whites Wash at Ninety by Marko Naberšnik and Tower of Strength by Nikola Vukčević. The lineup includes notable films such as Blum: Masters of Their Own Destiny by Jasmila Žbanić, which tells the story of a Holocaust survivor, and I Matter by Alina Șerban, focusing on a Roma teenager's struggles.

Other films and closing film

Other films in the competition include Gundi: Legend of Love, Nina Roza, Electing Ms Santa, and Più forte dei ciclopi, which honors an Albanian intellectual. The festival will close on 6 November with Yugo Florida by Vladimir Tagić, a film that explores themes of identity and memory.

Jury members and awards

The official jury will be chaired by Gregor Božič, with other members including Marina Kostova and Massimiliano Battistella. The Cineuropa Award will be presented, with the winner chosen by director Valerio Caruso, highlighting emerging talent in European cinema.

Special events and film retrospectives

The Special Events section will include films such as Gianni Versace: l’imperatore dei sogni and Black Cat, White Cat by Emir Kusturica. It will also feature I sogni muoiono all’alba, a film revisiting the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, made by journalist Indro Montanelli in collaboration with directors Enrico Gras and Mario Craveri.

Industry days and professional events

The festival will host the inaugural EBFF Industry Days from 31 October to 2 November, featuring workshops, pitches, and professional meetings. These events will address topics such as European audiovisual policies and the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the film industry.

New initiatives and funding opportunities

On 2 November, the Euro Balkan Short Pitch will debut, featuring eight short-film projects from filmmakers under 35. Link, an initiative by Steve Della Casa, will bring together film centers from several Balkan countries with Italian producers to discuss incentives, funding, and filming locations.

Cultural award and recognition

This year’s Ismail Kadaré Award for Euro-Balkan Cultural Cooperation will be awarded to Claudio Magris, honoring his literary contributions that explore the borders of Central Europe and the Adriatic.