MONTENEGRO FILM RENDEZVOUS PUTS MONTENEGRIN FILM PROJECTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The second day of the Montenegro Film Rendezvous programme, taking place in Herceg Novi from August 22 to 28 and organised by the Film Centre of Montenegro, focused on presenting Montenegrin film projects in development to international film professionals.

PHOTO: Vuk Ilić

Renowned cinematographer Manuel Alberto Claro held a masterclass dedicated to cinematography and visual storytelling, while film professionals from around the world shared their experiences through discussions, presentations and industry panels.

The programme was officially opened by Aleksandra Božović, Director of the Film Centre of Montenegro.

“Three years ago, Montenegro Film Rendezvous lasted three days. This year, it lasts seven. We did not plan this growth on paper. It happened because people kept coming back and because more and more partners wanted to become part of this platform. That is the best answer to the question of whether such a platform was needed,” Božović said.

She stressed that the programme is primarily focused on supporting Montenegrin filmmakers and connecting their projects with the international film industry.

“Everything we do here starts with our filmmakers. Over the next few days, Montenegrin authors will present their projects at different stages of development and production to producers, festival selectors and representatives of film funds from across Europe. That is why we are all in this room today. You did not come here because Herceg Novi is easy to reach. You came because something is happening in Montenegrin cinema, and I thank you for that,” she added.

MONTENEGRIN PROJECTS PRESENTED TO INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONALS

As part of the presentation of Montenegrin projects in development, film experts from Montenegro and abroad had the opportunity to learn more about Fires by director Nina Tratnik, A Safe Place for All of Us by Andrija Mugoša and Rooms by director Pavle Simonović.

The projects were presented as part of the programme aimed at creating new opportunities for cooperation, financing and international partnerships for Montenegrin filmmakers.

MASTERCLASS BY RENOWNED CINEMATOGRAPHER MANUEL ALBERTO CLARO

Manuel Alberto Claro, one of Europe's most respected cinematographers, also held a masterclass on cinematography and visual storytelling.

His latest film, Home, directed by Marijana Janković, opened the 39th Herceg Novi Film Festival.

A long-time collaborator of acclaimed Danish director Lars von Trier, Claro worked with him on films including Melancholia, Nymphomaniac: Vol. 1 and The House That Jack Built. During the masterclass, he shared his thoughts on visual language, collaboration with directors and the process of creating a film's visual identity.

“Being a cinematographer means fitting into a project together with a large number of other people. You can be brilliant, but if you do not enable your colleagues to shine, the project will be bad. You have to allow everyone to shine, and above all, it is about balance and aligning different energies,” Claro said.

Speaking about working with directors, the Chilean-Danish artist emphasised the complex balance between maintaining his own artistic identity and serving the director's vision.

“Of course, as a cinematographer, you are expected to be an artist, an author, a storyteller. You are someone who has their own perspective. But at the same time, you need to support the director and realise the director's vision. I think it is a very contradictory position, because you are constantly building up your own confidence, and then you have to come back down to earth,” Claro explained.

INTERNATIONAL FILM FUNDS AND COPRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES

The Montenegro Film Rendezvous programme also featured a presentation of the Hubert Bals Fund of the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Tamara Tatishvili, the fund's director, spoke about her experience in audiovisual policies and film financing.

A panel dedicated to coproductions with the Baltic countries followed, featuring Dita Rietuma from Latvia, Edith Sepp from Estonia and Kęstutis Drazdauskas from Lithuania. The discussion was moderated by Sevara Irgacheva of the European Film Agency Directors Association (EFAD).

Another panel focused on coproductions with European countries and brought together Georgios Linardakis from Greece, Andrea Stucovitz from Italy, Katarzyna Ozga from Luxembourg, Kęstutis Drazdauskas from Lithuania and Silvia Rexha from Belgium. The panel was moderated by Julie-Jeanne Régnault, Director of the European Producers Club.

MONTENEGRIN DOCUMENTARIES IN FINAL POST-PRODUCTION

The second day also featured two Montenegrin documentaries in the final stages of post-production: Montenegro Star: Sample of Janko Nilović, directed by Nikola Vukčević, and Counter Admiral, directed by Mladen Ivanović.

Vukčević's film pays tribute to 82-year-old cult composer Janko Nilović, an artist whose work influenced the development of modern hip-hop.

Ivanović's documentary explores the unresolved killing of Krsto Đurović, a Montenegrin counter admiral who in 1991 refused to take part in an attack on Dubrovnik.

The programme continued on Monday with presentations of the Montenegrin films in development Echo by Ivica Vidanović, Fruit by Maša Šarović, and Balkan Maestro, directed by Altinaj Petrović Njegoš and François Fleury.

The programme also includes a masterclass by Nina Hartstone, winner of the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing for Bohemian Rhapsody, who will discuss the creative process of shaping film sound.

MONTENEGRO FILM RENDEZVOUS CONNECTS LOCAL CINEMA WITH EUROPE

Montenegro Film Rendezvous 2026 is organised by the Film Centre of Montenegro in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Municipality of Herceg Novi and JUK Herceg Fest.

The event brings together Montenegrin filmmakers and leading international industry professionals, with the aim of strengthening international cooperation, opening new financing opportunities and positioning Montenegrin cinema more prominently on the European film scene.