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"AgapE" and "Diagnosis S.B.H." Take 2009 BHFF Golden Apples
Dear all:
Thank you so much to everyone who attended the Sixth Annual Bosnian-Herzegovinian Film Festival (BHFF) - a tremendous success.
We screened 13 films, eight of which had their U.S. premieres at BHFF, including features “Tractor, Love and Rock’n’Roll” and “Nightguards,“ animation “Man Still Goes to the Moon,” short films “Razor,“ “Agape“ and “1/2,“ and documentaries “Believers” and “If You Are Watching This, Mum.“ A number have been praised at other film festivals around the globe.
On May 15 the festival was opened by Ambassador Ivan Barbalic, the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations. Trained in European integration issues, Mr. Barbalic previously served in a variety of positions in international organizations, educational institutions and government. He said a few words about the value of BHFF and Bosnian films and shared his own experiences in the United States.
The festival was also attended by filmmakers Igor Borovac, whose film “Turn Back South” was screened on May 15, as well as Namik Kabil, director of two films shown at this year’s BHFF – “Believers” and “Nightguards.” After the screening of “Nightguards,” a film that reflects on post-war Sarajevo through the microcosm of two watchmen discussing their worries through the night, Namik joined us for a Q&A session and provided us with more insights into these two films, his residency at Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, and his upcoming projects.
Following the Q&A, the awards ceremony was held. Eleven films were nominated and over 400 votes were cast for the audience awards. The Audience Award for the Best Short or Feature Film went to “AgapE” by Slobodan Maksimovic and the Audience Award for the Best Documentary Film went to “Diagnosis S.B.H.” by Enes Zlatar. “AgapE” is a short film that tells the story of a nun whose life is transformed with the arrival of broadband internet into her convent. “Diagnosis S.B.H.” features interviews with musicians from Bosnia and Herzegovina and explores the issues surrounding language and identity. Congratulations to the winners, who will be receiving “Golden Apple” awards hand-crafted by an accomplished Bosnian-American artist, Aida Sehovic!
 The evening and the festival ended with a closing party featuring DJ Tomo, who came all the way from Frankfurt. His energetic mix of ex-Yugo classics, Bosnian ethno and gypsy music contributed to much joy and dancing among a very diverse crowd.
And that’s not all! We wanted to let you know about a few upcoming events that you might find of interest:
• May 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville – the screening of “Nightguards.” June 9 at 7:15 p.m. – the screening of “Interrogation,” also by Kabil. Both will be followed by the director Q&A. For more information, go to http://www.burnsfilmcenter.org/films/film-series/detail/15002#16619.
• June 13 at 4 p.m. and June 14 at 7 p.m. in Walter Reade Theater in NYC - New York premiere of “Snow” at Human Rights Watch Festival. This feature by Aida Begic depicts the drama of life in a post-war Bosnian village, Slavno. Villagers’ families have been killed and the bodies never found. To go on living with their loved ones missing, the women have created a very special world—one in which the absent are nevertheless present. Two businessmen unexpectedly visit Slavno with an offer to buy the village. The screening is presented in association with BHFF and the Reconciliation and Culture Cooperative Network (RACCOON). To order tickets, please visit: http://filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/hrw09.
Thanks again for all your help and support and we hope you enjoyed the festival! BHFF is a year-long endeavour and was a culmination of great efforts and energy invested in this project. It would have been impossible without the hard work of BHFF team and volunteers and support of participating filmmakers, distributors, sponsors and individual donors, media partners, and helpful staff from Tribeca Cinemas.
We are already beginning work for the next festival, tentatively scheduled for May 2010 – so stay tuned for more information, sign up for our mailing list and join our Facebook groups.
Cheers,
BHFF team
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