The richest program ever on the 8th Vukovar Film Festival

„The 8th Vukovar Film Festival/Festival of Danube countries" opens its gates again! This years' edition will be held from August 25th till August 30th, so the Festival expands from five to six days, and two other cities in the Country, Vinkovci and Županja. The rich and attractive program consists of 81 amazing films and numerous film enthusiasts will be attracted to seven locations over 6 days full of happenings.

The Danube countries category brings us a handful of this year's best titles in feature, short and documentary film. Some of the films from this category we have to mention are 'The Notebook' by Janos Szasz (Chrystal globe, Karlyovi Vary 2013) and 'White God' by Kornél Mundruczou (Palm Dog Award for main actors - dogs, and Un certain regard in Cannes 2014.). Boys left to the mercy of vicious old woman and dogs left to the mercy of humans are main stories of these magnificent accomplishments. This rich category brings us also The Wonders by Alice Rohrwacher (Grand Prize of Jury, Cannes 2014.), a story of little queen bee who is a real pater familias, story of a little girl who wants to be a saint in Dietrich Bruggemann's 'Stations of the Cross', and 'Number 55' by Kristijan Milić (8 Golden Arenas, Pula Film Festival ). Directors Janos Szasz, Dietrich Bruggemann and Kristijan Milić are coming to Vukovar to present their movies.

Documentary films are always the ones turning heads, bringing out real life stories that don't seize to amuse us. Director Pavel Štingel will present his film 'Eugenic Minds' that brings new light to genetic engineering, used in terms of discrimination of those not born 'perfect' to certain standards, and Hubert Canaval will also join us to present his film 'Energized' in which he tries to answer the important questions such as: 'How can we meet our energy needs without destroying our own existence? Is there such a thing as clean energy and efficient technology? The German film 'The Great Museum' by Johannes Holzhausen gives us a look behind the scenes of the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna; it follows its curators and their stories and shows the importance of good management.

The Hungarian film 'Overdose - Run For A Dream' by Gabor Ferenczy observes a community's feelings and reactions from the point of view of a "prey-animal" - in Hungary, where horse racing is in its ruins, and in those European countries where this tradition is still part of the culture. The great Croatian documentary 'Autofocus', rewarded in Karlyovi Vary and directed by Boris Poljak, takes us to St. Nicholas Church (12th century), situated in an untouched Arcadian landscape, on a picturesque hill and next to a lone tree, it is as if the site becomes a stage where various unusual events take place. Therefore, the tourists, unaware of the proximity of the camera, become performers in a show.

The side program World brings us world known films like Leviathan by Andrej Zvjagnicev, Woody Allen's Magic in the Moonlight and Philipp Noyce's The Giver. All being Croatian premieres.

'Europe open up' side program premieres the new film by Dardenne brothers, 'Two Days, One Night', where excellent Marion Cotillard has one weekend to save her job.

Side program 'British focus' brings us, among others, Jonathan Glazer's 'Under The Skin' with Scarlett Johansson as fatal alien predator and Richard Ayode's The Double, story about Simon, a timid man overlooked at work, scorned by his mother and ignored by the woman of his dreams. When a new co-worker, James, arrives Simon meets his exact physical double and his opposite - confident, charismatic and good with women.

Visitors will also enjoy in Pedro Almodovar's Retrospective as well as Susanne Bier's Retrospective with film titles like Volver, Talk To Her, The Skin I Live In, After The Wedding, All You Need Is Love, In A Better World...
Evening locations where films in competition and side program 'World' will be held are terace of Agency for Inland Waterways and the park of the Eltz castle.

This year the festival has a humanitarian dimension. All income from ticket sales will be donated to the reconstruction of recently flooded and completely destroyed Multimedia Centre Studio of Creative Ideas Gunja. Therefore the ticket price for all evening screenings will be 15 KN, and all others remain free of charge.

For more info: www.vukovarfilmfestival.com

This year's concert and party zone is newly opened GOLUBICA MALL - TERASA, where you can see some interesting music artist performing, every day of Festival, 10.30 p.m.

October 25th: Diskobajagi
October 26th: Vatra
October 27th: Ban & Diktatori
October 28th: Bambi Molesters
October 29th: Rundek & Cargo Trio
October 30th: Papaya in Vukovar

Traditionally, we will present three film workshops: Danubian Screenwriting Workshop held by Irena Krčelić, Animated Film Workshop STOP Animation held by Zvonimir Rumboldt, and Festival Workshop - 'From Idea to Realization' held by Mija Matasović and Marko Dugonjić.

Members of the jury for this year are movie critic Branka Šomen, Slovenian actress Milena Zupančić and film historian Daniel Rafaelić.

„It is our pleasure to announce that all of this year's revenue from ticket sales will be donated for the restoration of Multimedia Centre Studio Kreativnih Ideja Gunja, devastated by the floods, so that local kids can continue with their creative work" said Igor Rakonić, director of the festival.

8th Vukovar Film Festival is starting! Coming soon :-)