Niš, Serbia, faces 'political drama' as two film festivals emerge

The city of Niš, Serbia, finds itself in an unusual situation this summer, preparing to host two distinct film festivals simultaneously. This division stems from a disagreement between the Association of Film Actors of Serbia and the City of Niš, leading to parallel events instead of the traditionally unified Niš Film Encounters.

Preparations are underway in the city center, with workers seen unloading equipment and constructing what appears to be a stage. While many citizens are unaware of the specific events, the presence of a red carpet, fencing, and new chairs indicates a significant occasion. The red carpet, in particular, is a strong indicator of the Niš Film Encounters, a festival that has been a staple since 1966 and is dedicated to actors.

"It was a festival that actors loved for years because it was dedicated to them," said journalist Ljubica Jocić. "Every August, they received the Fortress and the city as a gift with a symbolic handover of the city keys, and it was always an event for this city." However, the 60th anniversary edition is marred by the inability of the city and the actors' association to reach an agreement, resulting in two separate festivals.

The conflict has been described as a "political drama," with perceptions of the festival's founders aligning with either the ruling party or the opposition. Petar Benčina, an actor and president of the Association of Film Actors of Serbia, stated, "We simply have that kind of strength, readiness to bear responsibility and to maintain that tradition and continuity of film encounters, regardless of the terrible social circumstances we find ourselves in." He expressed belief in preserving the position of actors as vital pillars of the country's culture.

The City of Niš announced its festival, including the participation of Jean-Claude Van Damme, shortly after the actors' association confirmed their event's start date. The city's festival is scheduled to begin earlier, on August 25th, while the actors' festival starts on August 29th. Confusion persists, with many locals expressing unfamiliarity with the city-backed festival and its program, which, five days before its start, remains largely undisclosed. The actors' festival will take place at a smaller venue managed by the Medijana municipality, the only opposition-run municipality in Serbia, while the city's event is slated for the traditional venue within the Niš Fortress.

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