For the third year in a row, EUSR is supporting the International film festival Kratkofil Plus, which was held in the Kastel Fortress in Banja Luka from 22-26 July 2015. The competition part of the programme focused on the short film form, and in the programme of Panorama Plus high quality featured films with various social themes were showed. Besides the evening programme held in the Kastel, the city Youth Centre was the venue  of daily activities including film projections, workshops and educational debates. The Kratkofil Junior workshop for young children was also held and the premiere of the final film product will be on the last day of the festival.

“The ninth edition of the International film festival Kratkofil Plus was prepared with a clear vision of improving the mere concept of a festival, with the aim of widening the cultural and educational horizons in the country and the region, while this year a special emphasis is placed on the educational programme. The programme was carefully selected and is focusing on current socially engaged issues, thus we expect positive reviews from the audience and the critics. I would point out that the continuing help from the EUSR in BiH is extremely valuable for an international film festival,” said Darija Buzaković, director of the festival.

Head of the EU Delegation to BiH and EU Special Representative, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, said:

“Film is a window of human relations. Like no other medium, it tells a story about relationships. It is rightly called the universal language that can translate ideas. Film turns events into magical moments that can change perceptions and stereotypes.

“A successful film does not have to be a ‘mega’ financial project. It can be a short film or a low budget feature movie, but if it’s able to capture the essence of complex social and human issues through the ‘right lens’  it can enhance social interaction, engagement and can raise awareness and  change the way we perceive the world. Kratkofil PLUS film festival shares EU values such as tolerance, regional cooperation in arts, activism and social engagement and this is the reason why we are supporting this festival for the third consecutive year.”

Find out more about the Festival on the web page www.kratkofil.org