Balkan film festivals premiere documentaries and new releases

The 39th Herceg Novi Film Festival in Montenegro presented a selection of 26 documentary works from around the world, addressing themes such as climate change, gender issues and historical memory. A distinguished international jury, including Pegah Ahangarani and Geregin Zakoyan, will award the Golden Mimosas among other honors.

Filip Grujić and Aleksa Borković’s feature documentary *Yugo ide u Ameriku* opened Serbian cinemas on 3 September after winning the audience award at CPH:DOX and a special prize at Beldocs. HBO documentary‑maker John Wilson praised the film, saying, “Great film. Fun ride. Like musical chairs, you never know what’ll happen next.”

The European Film Festival in Palić, Serbia, screened the Hungarian psychological thriller *Kao kod kuće* and other regional titles, with awards for best domestic productions presented on 22 July. The festival also featured retrospectives and competition screenings.

Montenegro’s inaugural Tivat Film Wave (29‑31 July) hosted master‑class sessions with acclaimed actor Nikola Đuričko, workshops for emerging filmmakers, and a lineup of new regional projects, strengthening the local film‑culture ecosystem.