Built entirely from archival materials, the film utilizes period footage to expose how Albania’s communist regime weaponized state propaganda to shape and project the country’s image.

“State Film” centers its narrative on state-produced films and photographs, reexamining their history to explore the deep connections between institutional power, propaganda, and memory.

Roland Sejko is a director and archivist who re-evaluates Albanian history using old film materials. His documentary “State Film” is now Albania’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards in 2027.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will review the international entries to determine which films advance to the next round.

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Speaking at a news conference after a NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, where allied leaders discussed Euro-Atlantic security, increased defence spending and the challenges facing the alliance, Rutte said the decision had been agreed by member states.

“The next NATO summit will be in Albania. That is the decision taken in The Hague and confirmed here in Ankara. We will now decide on the exact date when it will be held,” he told reporters.

The announcement marks another milestone in Albania’s growing profile within NATO, reflecting its role as a reliable ally in the Western Balkans.

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Speaking at the “A Few More Steps Toward the EU” dialogue forum in the southern city of Vlora, Cremades Ventura reaffirmed Spain’s support for Albania’s EU integration, particularly in the areas of rule of law, justice reform and the fight against corruption and organised crime.

Spanish Ambassador recalled that Albania was granted EU candidate status in 2014, but its accession process was delayed largely due to international developments rather than the country’s failure to meet criteria.

He noted that recent regional developments and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a turning point in the EU’s approach to enlargement, reframing it as a geopolitical necessity rather than a burden.

“EU enlargement is now seen as a strategic investment in security, stability and prosperity,” Cremades Ventura said, adding that Albania had seized the opportunity created by shifting EU priorities toward the Western Balkans.

He stressed that EU membership is not a gift but the result of merit and sustained institutional and societal efforts.

“Albania has made significant progress, including the opening of all negotiating clusters, but the next two years will be critical,” he said, urging continued reforms, particularly in rule of law and anti-corruption chapters.

The Ambassador highlighted Spain’s practical support through EU-backed projects in justice and rule of law, and underlined the importance of parliamentary diplomacy and public communication to counter scepticism about EU enlargement.

Cremades Ventura said he hoped Albania would be able to sign its Accession Treaty by 2027, after which it would require ratification by all 27 EU member states.

“Albania’s integration is in the interest of all of Europe,” he said, adding that Spain supports Albania’s efforts to align fully with EU standards and deliver tangible benefits from accession.

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“I don’t just believe it – I am absolutely convinced it is within our hands to meet the 2027 objective,” Rama told reporters during a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Tirana.

Rama dismissed past frustrations over EU delays, noting that previous criticisms stemmed from instances when the Commission had recommended opening negotiations, but the European Council failed to act due to opposition from a few EU member states.

“Back then, my comments were not about the Commission, but about the Council’s inaction. I stand by every word I said during that time,” Rama said, emphasizing that the current political climate is markedly different.

The government head praised the European Commission’s support and highlighted the rapid pace of negotiations since the first intergovernmental conference.

“We’ve opened five out of six negotiating clusters in just 11 months – a record pace. This hasn’t happened by chance; we’ve done our homework, and no one in Brussels gives anything away for free,” he said.

Rama also noted that the 2027 target for concluding negotiations was jointly agreed with the European Commission and is tied to a concrete roadmap of reforms and benchmarks.

“If we continue with this rhythm, determination, and success at each step, we will meet our end of the deal. The Commission, to my knowledge, has always fulfilled its part – with fair and objective evaluations of our progress,” he said.

Looking ahead, Rama acknowledged that following the conclusion of negotiations, EU member states will each have to ratify Albania’s accession individually – a separate political process.

He also praised President von der Leyen’s leadership, noting her consistent support for enlargement and for treating the Commission as a “geopolitical actor” since the start of her term.

“Her commitment has not wavered. This has been her position since day one,” Rama said.

Von der Leyen is visiting Albania as part of her Western Balkans tour and to participate in the first EU-Western Balkans Investment Forum, taking place in Tirana on October 13-14.

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A draft declaration ahead of the next week’s summit in the Hague confirms that Albania will host the NATO Summit in 2027.

The draft, seen by the by Radio Free Europe, states that alliance leaders will gather in Albania following the 2026 summit in Turkey.

“We express our gratitude for the warm hospitality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We look forward to our next meeting in Turkey in 2026, followed by a meeting in Albania,” the document says.

The draft also outlines renewed commitments to collective defense under Article 5, increased defense spending to 5% of the GDP by 2032, and expanded support for Ukraine.

This will be Albania’s first time hosting the NATO summit since joining the alliance in 2009.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who recently secured a fourth term in office, had announced last summer that Albania would host the 2027 NATO Summit.

In May, Albania hosted a major political gathering – the European Political Community Summit- bringing together top European leaders in Tirana.

NATO maintains an air base in Albania, located in Kuçovë—the only one of its kind in the Western Balkans. The base was inaugurated in March 2024 following an investment of around 50 million euros from NATO and more than 5 million euros from the Albanian government.

Albania is also in talks with NATO to build a naval base at Porto Romano on the Adriatic coast.

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The government head also noted that the country should seize this moment when Albania’s domestic circumstances match with the current EU’s state of affairs, saying the EU door won’t remain forever open.

According to Rama, with the accession talks scheduled to complete in 2027, Albania is fast-tracking and setting an example regarding the progress of the EU membership negotiations.

“It will take only three years of negotiations. Montenegro was far ahead of us when we took office in 2013, since the neighboring country has had the accession negotiations opened since 2012. Completion of the negotiations means that 1000 individuals involved in the process, under stewardship of 38 negotiators, should negotiate everything to make sure that the process completes in 2027 and Albania becomes an EU member,” Rama said.

However, the government head warned that the EU door will not remain open indefinitely.

“That door has been opened and we have been presented with the plan to wrap up the negotiations until 2027. This means we have to work day and night to open these negotiations and complete them until 2027,” Rama said.

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In a live video message during his “Sy m’Sy” social media show, Rama said that Albania was just two years away from completing the historic process of the EU accession negotiations, stating he was in office to make sure that Albania sits at the table of the European Council.

The government head stated that he wants to lead Albania towards EU full membership as a way to retaliate for the racism towards the Albanian citizens when he himself lived and worked as an emigrant in Europe.

“Albania is just two years away from completion of the milestone process of the negotiations with the European Union and completion of the historical process of climbing to the height that we now clearly see. It will take only two years,” PM Rama stated.

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