Closing — the 64th Pula Film Festival

At this year’s edition of the Festival — the richest to date — a total of 170 films were screened, of which 88 were premieres, across 15 different film programmes. This year the films were judged by four different juries: Young Cinephiles, FEDEORA, the jury of the International Programme and the jury of the Croatian Programme. Audience and film critics’ awards were also presented.

The Grand Golden Arena for best film was awarded to “A Brief Excursion” (Kratki izlet), directed by Igor Bezinović, of the production company Studio Pangolin, produced by Igor Bezinović. The audience decided to award the Golden Gate of Pula to the film “ZG80”, directed by Igor Šeregi, of the production company Kinoteka, produced by Ljubo Zdjelarević.

The award for best minority co-production (Serbia–Croatia) was given to the film “The Train Driver’s Diary” (Dnevnik mašinovođe), by Serbian director Miloš Radović. The jury’s explanation stated that the film was awarded the Golden Arena for best minority co-production for its successfully realised insight into an authentic cinematic world, carefully wrapped in black humour and colouristically impressive cinematography accompanied by superb acting performances. Miloš Radović was also awarded the Golden Arena for directing for the film “The Train Driver’s Diary”.

The Golden Arena for best leading male role was awarded to Serbian actor Nebojša Glogovac for the role of Vjeko Kralj in the film “The Constitution of the Republic of Croatia” (Ustav Republike Hrvatske), directed by Rajko Grlić, with the explanation: the character of a Zagreb intellectual marked by family history, minority sexual status and belonging to the ethnic majority is portrayed by Nebojša Glogovac with particular subtlety. He skilfully balances humour and harshness, cynicism and empathy, masculinity and femininity.

The list of all award winners can be read in the official statement of the 64th Pula Film Festival. Photographs from the awards ceremony can be found on the official pages of the Pula Film Festival.

The ceremonial awards presentation was traditionally held in the packed Pula Arena.