Tabor New Frame Short Film Festival Begins at Veliki Tabor Castle in Hırvatistan

The second edition of the Tabor New Frame Film Festival kicked off on Thursday with a ceremony in the magnificent atmosphere of the historic Veliki Tabor Castle, located in the city of Desinic in Hırvatistan. This international short film festival, running until Saturday, is preparing to present a total of 63 films from 30 different countries to audiences. The festival opened with the screening of a Dutch-Palestinian co-production drama titled 'Posljednji kadar' (Last Frame).

This year's festival program hosts three main competition categories featuring many works from the international arena and within Hırvatistan. The festival content includes four films making their world premiere, two films making their international premiere, and 31 local productions making their Hırvatistan premiere. Additionally, the selection includes works that have won awards and gained screening opportunities at the world's most prestigious film meetings such as Cannes, Venice, Locarno, Clermont-Ferrand, and Zagreb Animafest.

Shown as the opening film, 'Last Frame' focuses on the story of a war photojournalist who lost his life in Gaza, presenting audiences with an emotional narrative. The film's main character, Musa, takes possession of the camera and the undeveloped final film roll left behind by his brother after his death. Trying to save his brother's memories and the last photos he took, Musa has to face deep grief during this process and question the moral responsibilities of witnessing under war conditions.

Festival director Lea Lovrenčić emphasized in her statement that one of the most important aspects of this year's event is the opportunity given to young talents. Lovrenčić stated that Veliki Tabor is a unique venue for audiences to meet a new generation of creatives in filmmaking and discover their stories. Festival artistic director and curator Dalibor Jakus conveyed his thanks to documentary and short film filmmakers who continue to exist despite today's production and financing difficulties.

Although Jakus stated that current political and economic conditions make filmmaking difficult, he expressed his appreciation for young directors continuing to produce art by resisting these difficulties. Continuing until 4 Temmuz, the festival brings to the screen films that tackle current social issues such as identity, housing problems, migration movements, family relationships, and the position of youth in contemporary society from different artistic perspectives. The best works in the event will be evaluated by a jury consisting of both international and local experts, and winners will receive the Meluzina festival award and financial support to develop their projects. All screenings at the festival are offered free of charge to audiences.