Croatia has three coproductions in the competition, and Bulgaria and Slovakia both have competition entries. Montenegrin director Marija Perovic will serve on the international jury. The festival also has an extensive spotlight section devoted to Montenegro, consisting of 16 short and full-length films.
Cottbus FF continues to solidify its position as a bridge to CEE films, with German Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz becoming an official patron of the festival this year.
"The end of the so-called Iron Curtain was the beginning of FilmFestival Cottbus, which since 1991 has developed into one of the world's leading festivals of East European cinema. Since then, the films of the 29 editions have also reflected the enormous transformation in the East European states. They take us into the reality of life on site. And let us feel through their characters what change means for each and every individual“, Scholz said in a statement.
Feature Film Competition:
My Thoughts are Silent (Ukraine)
Directed by Antonio Lukich
Aga's House / Shpia e Agës (Kosovo, Croatia, France, Albania)
Directed by Lendita Zeqiraj
Produced by N'ART FILMS
Coproduced by WOOF FILMS, Sacrebleu Productions, SKA-NDAL, SY13
Supported by the Kosovo Cinematography Center, the Albanian Center of Cinematography, the City of Vrgorac, the MEDIA Programme, Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo
By a Sharp Knife / Ostrým nožom (Slovakia, Czech Republic)
Directed by Teodor Kuhn
Produced by nutprodukcia
Coproduced by Madness Productions, RTVS and nutprodukce in cooperation with Home Media Production
Supported by the Slovak Audiovisual Fund, the Slovak Literary Fund and the Czech Cinematography Fund
I am Ren (Poland)
Directed by Piotr Ryczko
Produced by Holly Pictures
The Voice (Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia)
Directed by Ognjen Svilicic
Produced by MaXima Film, Skopje Film Studio, Biberche Productions
Supported by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, North Macedonia Film Agency, Film Center Serbia, Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia and the Croatian Radiotelevision
Pig / Gori (Gerogia)
Directed by Giga Liklikadze
Produced by Sarke Studio
Supported by Georgian National Film Center
National Street (Czech Republic, Germany)
Directed by Stepan Altrichter
Love Cuts / Rezi (Serbia, Croatia)
Directed by Kosta Dordevic
Produced by Kinematografska Kuca (Serbia), Marinis Media (Croatia), Platforma (Serbia)
Supported by Film Center Serbia
Sister (Bulgaria, Qatar)
Directed by Svetla Tsotsorkova
Produced by Omega Films
Coproduced by Audiovideo Orpheus, the Doha Film Institute
Full Moon / Pun Mjesec (Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Directed by Nermain Hamzagic
Produced by SCCA/pro.ba
Coproduced by BHRT
Supported by Ministry of Culture and Sport of Kanton Sarajevo and the Film Fund of Bosnia & Herzegovina
The Sun Above Me Never Sets (Russia)
Directed by Lyubov Borisova
The Adventures of Sukran the Lame (Turkey)
Directed by Onur Unlu
