Over the next six days, the festival will showcase 100 short films from 40 countries.

Screenings will take place at the Majestik Cinema and the Digital Art Gallery (GAD), turning the city into a vibrant space where art, storytelling, and cinematic experiences come together.

The festival opens today, October 26, at 6:30 PM at the Majestik Cinema, with the film “DUA,” directed by Blerta Basholli.

Under the theme “WHAT WE IGNORE, REMAINS,” this year’s edition aims to highlight stories that provoke reflection, inviting the audience to look beyond issues that often remain unspoken.

A special segment of the program is dedicated to children, with screenings scheduled for October 28, 29 and 30.

Throughout these six days, the KO:SH film fest is set to bring a unique cinematic atmosphere to Korça, uniting diverse cultures, perspectives and narratives through the power of film. /j.p/p.s./

Organized under the theme “Voices of the Earth,” the festival showcased a diverse lineup of global films. The week-long event featured competitions across four distinct categories, lively artistic panel discussions and special cultural evenings dedicated to the cinemas of Turkey, Sweden, Hungary and Kosovo.

According to the Municipality of Shkodra, the festival culminated in a grand awards ceremony celebrating the creativity and exceptional talent of the participating filmmakers.

The “Republika” Cinema continues to solidify its role as a cornerstone of Shkodra’s cultural landscape, hosting premier events that bridge the local community with the international art scene.

Once again, Shkodra—a city deeply rooted in art, culture, and tradition—proves its commitment to enriching its cultural calendar, fostering creativity and bringing dynamic energy to the city. /e.i/a.f/p.s./

The film creatively combined Western classical music with Japanese Zen art, starring Albanian violinist Tedi Papavrami and Japanese calligraphy master Kanshô Miyashita.

Tedi Papavrami attended the world premiere alongside his wife, the Japanese pianist Maki Okada. Their presence lent special significance to the presentation and made the event even more engaging for the audience.

In one of the documentary’s most distinctive moments, Miyashita created a piece of Japanese calligraphy while Papavrami performed Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Chaconne.”

The title “The Bow and the Brush” refers to the artistic dialogue between the movement of the violin bow and the movement of the calligrapher’s brush. The documentary closely followed the creative process and collaboration between the two artists, showcasing not only the final result, but also the preparation and the moments of creation.

Featured in TIFF’s “Special Screenings” program, the film is part of an edition that brings 229 films from 71 countries to Tirana.

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The film will have its world premiere at TIFF on the festival’s fourth day, after being shown in Venice as a special screening outside the competition.

With the Oct. 1 deadline for submissions in the Best Live Action or Best Animated Short Film categories, TIFF will be the film’s final opportunity to secure consideration for an Oscar nomination in 2027.

Organisers said Gyllenhaal would not be able to attend the festival in person. “Flesh Impact” stars Dakota Johnson and Ellen Burstyn in two different portrayals of Marilyn Monroe.

Gyllenhaal, an actress and director, is among the best-known figures in contemporary U.S. cinema and has used her platform to speak about the challenges facing women in the film industry.

During the Venice festival, she spoke about systemic barriers facing women directors and the way stories told by women can still be viewed by the industry as less important or less artistic.

Gyllenhaal has received two Oscar nominations, for supporting actress in “Crazy Heart” and adapted screenplay for “The Lost Daughter.”

Her participation in TIFF with “Flesh Impact” adds an internationally recognised name to this year’s festival programme.

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In this context, the National Tourism Agency and Infinity Film Production signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to promote the feature film “Christmas Serenade” as part of the “BEYOND ALBANIA – Discover Albania Through Film” program.

The memorandum was signed by National Tourism Agency General Director Jola Hysaj and Infinity Film Production producer Gëzim Gjergji, with the aim of promoting Korça and Albania through the power of film.

Through “BEYOND ALBANIA,” the art of film becomes a new window into Albanian destinations and a cinematic promotional map of the country, where every story, city and landscape becomes part of the tourism experience.

The partnership between the National Tourism Agency and Infinity Film Production aims to strengthen the use of cinema as a new promotional channel for Albania, integrating art, culture and tourism into a unified approach. “BEYOND ALBANIA” aims to create a cinematic map of Albanian destinations, where every story, city, and landscape can become part of the tourism experience and the way Albania is presented through film. /p.s./

According to the minister, the discussions focused on film co-productions, the creation of new bridges for joint projects, as well as education and professional development through the exchange of experiences and the creation of new opportunities for the new generation of our filmmakers.

Gonxhja emphasized that, “Albania is increasingly consolidating itself as a dynamic meeting point for the global audiovisual industry, where local talent and international experience come together to create art without borders.” /m.q/r.e/p.s./

Set in Calcutta in 1948, the film presents a powerful portrait of Mother Teresa at a crucial moment in her life, when faith, ambition and duty collide with a deeply personal dilemma.

“Mother” premiered as the opening film of the Orizzonti section at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. The film was also awarded the Best Artistic Contribution Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Director Teona Strugar Mitevska is the author of internationally acclaimed films, including God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya, which has won more than 20 awards, including the Ecumenical Prize and the Guild Film Prize in Germany.

Teona Strugar Mitevska and producer Labina Mitevska will be present at the national premiere in Tirana, while two masterclasses with the director will also take place during the festival. /p.s./

Jonid Jorgji’s membership in the European Film Academy takes place at a dynamic moment for the reform of Albanian film and the ongoing efforts to transform our country into a key cinematographic destination. This institutional link with the EFA will establish a stronger presence for Albanian cinema on the European stage.

Founded in 1989, the European Film Academy (EFA) unites over 5,700 industry professionals to champion European cinema. Best known for the annual European Film Awards, EFA works year-round to promote film heritage, cultivate new talent, and engage audiences. /a.f/p.s./

Out of three nominated films, Singular (2025) by Alberto Gastesi took home the Best Film award, beating Gülizar (Turkey) and Jet Lag in Summer (China/Hong Kong/USA).

Guided by the motto “Open Sky. Open Minds!”, the festival cemented its status as a premier cinematic event in the region. This year’s edition showcased 40 films from 25 countries, welcoming 30 visiting filmmakers from 12 nations to celebrate independent cinema.

By bringing together the diplomatic corps, artists, and scholars, this gathering celebrated the power of cinema to spark dialogue, foster reflection and build deeper understanding.

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The 13th DEA OPEN AIR International Film Festival kicked off with a welcome reception outside the University of Arts. Following an opening address by festival director Edmond Topi, attendees gathered at the University of Arts Amphitheater to screen the Turkish feature film Gülizar (84 min), directed by Belkıs Bayrak.

“We are building a cinema culture from the ground up. Our goal isn’t just to screen films; it’s to rebuild the magic of moviegoing—sparking emotion, inspiring thought, and bringing audiences back to the big screen,” said Topi.

Under the motto Open air- Open minds, the festival will screen 40 films from 25 countries around the world, in two main locations: at the Amphitheater of the University of Arts (8:00 PM) and at the National Experimental Theater “Kujtim Spahivogli” (1:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM).

“The authors explore universal human experiences while highlighting the timeless and evolving struggles of humanity. We proudly feature a rich, global perspective, with voices spanning from China and Kyrgyzstan to Europe and the United States”, emphasized Mirela Oktrova.

The festival features a curated selection of feature-length, short, and student films. Beyond the screenings, attendees are invited to connect with filmmakers, network with industry professionals, and spark new collaborations that will inspire future creative projects.

The 13th edition of the DEA OPEN AIR International Film Festival is held with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, the Municipality of Tirana, the National Center of Cinematography and the University of Arts. /j.p/p.s./