Saturday | 20. July. 2013

Does anyone even remember Pula without the film festival?

60 years seems like – forever. We cannot (and we don’t want to) imagine the summer in Pula without films – the connection between film and the city has been deeply and permanently interwoven into the very fabric of Pula. Where to start with an overview of a long history of the film festival second to none other in Croatia? In the middle of the last century, Marijan Rotar came up with an idea and since then, every July, Pula turns into a natural meeting point of those who create and those who watch films. Five hundred sleepless nights, thousands and thousands of films, hundreds of thousands of spectators, under countless stars. I can also feel the presence of Martin Bizjak, Festival’s director, from whom I learnt what I have had the opportunity to apply since 2007, when I was appointed director of the Festival. In 1974/1975 Bizjak transferred the organization of the Festival from Belgrade to Pula, he reformed, developed and repositioned the Festival nationally and globally, becoming the “director with the most years of service” – 10 Festivals exactly.

I was in the Istrian National Theatre auditorium when the 38th festival was cancelled due to the beginning of the war, as a sign of protest against violence. However, neither the difficult nineties could stop film art in Croatia. On the contrary, it is these years that saw the development of directors that are key to today’s national film. I remember the 48th festival, in 2001, for the fact that it was then when the international programme was announced, defining its natural habitat at Kastel since the 54th festival, in 2007. I especially remember the moment when we celebrated the 55th festival, opening the door of the newly redecorated and fully equipped Valli Cinema, on July 18, 2008.

This year’s jubilee festival will be remembered for the digitalization of the Valli Cinema and the Arena (projector intended for film screenings at six Croatian festivals).

If a film festival could make a birthday wish, it would be films. Twenty-four national films are the best birthday present to the Festival that has, in the course of its 60 years, proved to be simply – unique and irreplaceable. Croatian filmmakers have already made our biggest wish come true. Film mornings, afternoons and evenings are accompanied by a number of sidebar programmes, concerts displaying different genres of music, exhibitions, and workshops for children. This way we are keeping our promise – Pula inhales and exhales the Festival together with you for fifteen days.

I would like to thank the Ministry of Culture and the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, the City of Pula and the County of Istria, our partner, donors, sponsors, institutions, companies and the media, as well as all the participants. I would like to thank the authors and film professionals, as well as all

those who participated in the creation of this piece of history.

Welcome to the 60th Pula Film Festival!

Zdenka Viškovic-Vukic

Festival Director