Slano has once again become one of the most exciting film meeting points on the Adriatic. On Tuesday evening, the Rector’s Palace in Slano hosted a gathering of participants and guests of Slano Film Days with media representatives, marking the beginning of another edition of this unique cinematic event.
Over the next five days, Slano will be a place of Film Talks and Career Talks, exchange of experience and ideas, informal gatherings and encounters between regional filmmakers and some of the most prominent names from the world of film and the international film industry.
Evening screenings of mostly award-winning films will be held at the Vila Riva Summer Cinema. The films have been selected by the guests of Slano Film Days, who will also introduce them to the audience.
A special atmosphere in Slano
After the Mayor of the Municipality of Dubrovačko Primorje, Nikola Knežić, welcomed those present, the guests were addressed by Miro Purivatra, director and creator of the Slano Film Days concept.
“It is an honour and a pleasure to once again welcome to Slano some of the most interesting and respected film authors of today, together with a new generation of regional filmmakers. It is not often possible to bring together so many exceptional film professionals in one place and create an opportunity for conversations and the exchange of experience in such a relaxed setting. That is precisely what makes Slano Film Days so special,” Purivatra said.
This year’s guests include actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal, actors Liam Cunningham, Joanna Kulig, Peter Sarsgaard and Natasa Stork, directors Paweł Pawlikowski, Lili Horvát, Ruben Östlund, Michel Franco, Jasmila Žbanić, Maura Delpero, Ognjen Glavonić, Damjan Kozole and Danis Tanović, cinematographers Christine A. Maier and Michael Seresin, producers Emilie Georges, Mike Goodridge, Erik Hemmendorff, Philippe Bober and Peter Spears, casting directors Kate Rhodes James, Francesco Vedovati and Timka Grin, talent agents Anila Gajević, Bojana Rnjak and Nikola Barišić, as well as international film sales agent Olivier Barbier.
The gathering was also attended by Slano Film Days participants, including directors Bruno Anković, Igor Bezinović, Stefan Đorđević, Ilir Hasanaj, Sara Stijović and Georgi M. Unkovski, and actors Dino Bajrović, Jelena V. Đukić, Milica Gojković, Kosovare Krasniqi, Tamara Ristoska, Ana Marija Veselčić and Mina Švajger.
Paweł Pawlikowski and Joanna Kulig present Cold War
The opening evening also featured a screening of Cold War by Paweł Pawlikowski, a film that won the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival and received three Oscar nominations.
The film was presented to the audience at the Vila Riva Summer Cinema by Pawlikowski and Polish actress Joanna Kulig, who gained international recognition for her leading role in Cold War.
“It is wonderful to be here again and to see Slano Film Days grow. I am glad to present my film, which has music, dance and a little drama, so I hope the audience will enjoy it. In fact, I love it so much that I will watch it again myself,” Pawlikowski said ahead of the screening.
Joanna Kulig said it was a great pleasure to present the film together with Pawlikowski, adding that Cold War had marked an important moment in her career. She also said she was particularly happy to be in Slano and to meet the audience in such a unique festival setting.
Ruben Östlund presents a selection of short films
As part of the programme, director Ruben Östlund presents a selection of his short films, including Autobiographical Scene Number 6882 and Incident by a Bank. At his suggestion, the programme also includes the documentary Death of a Fantastic Machine by Axel Danielson and Maximilien Van Aertryck.
The daytime programme features Film Talks and Career Talks.
Slano Film Days runs until 20 June 2026. The partner of the event is Sarajevo Film Festival, the most important film festival in the region.
