The 20th annual Zagreb Film Festival wrapped up this Sunday. This year’s programme was especially strong, with competing films that have previously won awards at Toronto and Berlin. The jury comprised Croatian actor Zlatko Burić Kićo, Belgian film producer Annabella Nezri and the art director of the Trieste Film Festival, Nicoletta Romeo.
The main prize, the Golden Pram, went to Joyland by Pakistani director Saim Sadiq, a winner at Cannes earlier this year. The jury was impressed by its powerful acting, and lucid depiction of family life and the queer community in Pakistan. The film also marks Sadiq's debut in directing a full-length feature.
Special mention was given to Safe Place by director Juraj Lerotić, Croatia’s nomination for this year’s Oscars. The jury cited the film for its minimal but precise use of film language, and the tenderness and subtlety of its writing.
And So The Summer Ended by Slovenian director Matjaž Ivanišin won Best Short Film. Jurors applauded the film for its ambition despite the short running time, its maturity and vision.
In this writer’s opinion, the best film he saw at the festival was Triangle of Sadness, for its juvenile humour and cutting class commentary.