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The 32nd European Film Festival Palić officially opens with the presentation of the Aleksandar Lifka Award to Sergei Loznitsa and the Underground Spirit Award to Peter Tscherkassky

19.07.2025.

The 32nd edition of the European Film Festival Palić officially opened on the Summer Stage in Palić on Saturday, July 19. The audience was addressed by Srđan Samardžić, Assistant to the Mayor of Subotica, along with this year’s laureates – director Sergei Loznitsa, recipient of the Aleksandar Lifka Award in the category of foreign creators, and director Peter Tscherkassky, recipient of the Underground Spirit Award for outstanding work in independent filmmaking.

Srđan Samardžić stated at the opening ceremony: "Through the European Film Festival and the art of cinema, Palić and Subotica become, for a few days, the cultural center of Serbia and all of Europe. The festival is one of the most important cultural events in Subotica each year, a summer gathering place for local residents and guests alike, offering visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and tourist attractions of Palić and Subotica. The European Film Festival Palić is a symbol of our city and one of the brands we proudly use to promote both our city and our country."

Miroslav Mogorović, Program Director of the festival, presented the Underground Spirit Award to the Austrian director Peter Tscherkassky and announced a two-day film program dedicated to his work, taking place at the Abazija Cinema on the second and third day of the festival, starting at 10 p.m.

Upon receiving the award, Tscherkassky remarked: "This award came to me suddenly, out of the blue. I received an e-mail saying the festival would like to present me with the Underground Spirit Award. After seeing the clip from my film tonight, I thought – how underground it really is." He expressed his gratitude and said he was really enjoying the festival.

Dušan Kovačević, President of the Council of the European Film Festival Palić, presented the Aleksandar Lifka Award to Sergei Loznitsa, saying he was especially honored to present this prestigious European award to the Ukrainian director and screenwriter.

In his acceptance speech, Loznitsa said: " I feel at home here. This is a great honor for me. Thirty years ago, I made my first film and since then I have lived only for cinema, and off cinema. And it is possible – if you have enough passion, enough love for your profession, enough energy to do what you do, and a bit of talent, which is always necessary."

After the ceremony, the Official Selection program opened with the out-of-competition world premiere of “Pearlescent Fog” by the late director Milorad Milinković. Before the screening, the film's crew – actors Petar Strugar, Jana Ivanović, and Mariana Aranđelović, screenwriter Dragoljub Stojković, musician Milan Mumin, editor Stevan Marić, and Divna, daughter of Milorad Milinković – appeared on stage to greet the audience.

Set in 1882, the film follows Jelena Ilka Marković, who attempted to assassinate King Milan Obrenović in St. Michael's Cathedral in Belgrade. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison but was found dead in her cell shortly afterward – the official version claims that she hanged herself with a towel. However, evidence suggests the suicide was not possible. The screenplay was co-written by Milorad Milinković and Dragoljub Stojković, and the cast includes Miloš Timotijević, Petar Strugar, Jana Ivanović, Nebojša Dugalić, Voja Brajović, Luka Grbić, Miona Marković, Jelena Ilić, and Mariana Aranđelović.

Also on the Summer Stage, the Official Selection program featured "Dreaming of Lions" by Paolo Marinou-Blanco, an absurdist tragicomedy exploring euthanasia and assisted suicide.

The Official Selection continues on Sunday, July 20, on the Summer Stage in Palić, with screenings of “Two Prosecutors” by Sergei Loznitsa at 9 p.m., "Growing Down" by Bálint Dániel Sós at 11 p.m., and "Reflection in a Dead Diamond" by Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani at 12:30 a.m. The Parallels and Encounters program will present “Toxic” by Saulė Bliuvaitė at 6 p.m. and “Sandbag Dam” by Čejen Černić Čanak at 8 p.m. at the Abazija Cinema in Palić.

On Sunday, July 20, audiences will also have the opportunity to see films from the New Hungarian Film, Eco Dox, New European Documentary Film, and Underground Spirit Award Laureate Homage programs, along with MIOB in Shorts, a joint selection of films from the FAFA project, and several special screenings.

As part of the festival’s accompanying program, the exhibition “The Power of Love: Vlastimir Gavrik”, dedicated to the renowned film and television production designer and curated by Aleksandra Gavrik, will open at 4 p.m. at the Open University of Subotica gallery. Half an hour later, at 4:30 p.m., a short film of the same title will be shown at the Eurocinema.

At 5 p.m., the Abazija Cinema will host “Seven Caricatures for the Seventh Art”, an exhibition featuring works by acclaimed domestic caricaturists.

The European Film Festival Palić has been supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, the Provincial Secretariat for Culture, Public Information and Relations with Religious Communities, the City of Subotica, the European Union through the Creative Europe MEDIA program, as well as numerous friends and media partners.

For 29 years, Gorki List has proudly stood alongside the European Film Festival Palić as a long-term partner and supporter of film art that inspires and connects. Believing in the power of authentic expression and meaningful dialogue with audiences, Gorki List will once again, in keeping with tradition, present the Audience Award for Best Film. By listening to the voices of the viewers, Gorki List affirms their role as essential allies of art, which lives on through those who truly appreciate and understand it.