A New ‘Yugosphere’ Program Brings Former Yugoslav Cinemas Together in Belgrade

A New ‘Yugosphere’ Program Brings Former Yugoslav Cinemas Together in Belgrade
The 32nd Festival of Author’s Film will run from November 20 to 27, introducing a new “Yugosphere” program dedicated to filmmakers from countries formed after the breakup of Yugoslavia. The selection includes 11 films—eight features and three shorts—and will compete for the first Bekim Fehmiu Award for best acting performance.

The program’s name comes from “Yugosphere,” a term introduced in 2009 by British journalist and analyst Tim Judah to describe the possibility of renewed cultural, social and other ties among people in the region. Festival organizers said the selected films address themes that cross national borders, including family relationships, personal crises, social divisions, the legacy of the past and the search for a place in the modern world.

The feature lineup includes films by Darko Štante, Zvonimir Jurić, Dina Duma, Urša Menart, Josip Lukić, Miha Hočevar, Milčo Mančevski and Visar Morina. The short-film program consists of works by Isidora Veselinović, Dan Grabnar and Leon Ristov. Together, the films explore personal and social conflicts, power relations and moral dilemmas in contemporary life.

Actor Uliks Fehmiu will decide the award’s recipient, while a representative of the European Union Delegation in Serbia will present it at the festival’s closing ceremony on November 27. Named after one of the region’s most prominent actors, the award places acting at the center of the new program and emphasizes the shared cinematic heritage of former Yugoslav countries.

Most participating filmmakers are expected to attend. The Yugosphere screenings will take place at Belgrade’s Cultural Centre, while the wider festival will also use venues including mts Dvorana, the Yugoslav Cinematheque, Studentski Grad, Kolarac Art Cinema and CineGrand Rakovica. Additional screenings are planned in Niš, Čačak and Šabac.