SEEfest Online Edition Launches with COMMON STORY
SEEfest Goes Live with Lighthearted COMMON STORY
Filled with genuine warmth and gentle humor, Common Story (Serbia, 2019, 91 min) takes us through the saga of an actor, Veljko Radisavljević, who believes that the entire universe has conspired against him. He is a walking problem convinced that all the discord in his life is created by people around him, which is why he often gets into comic conflicts with friends, family, colleagues, and even random passersby.
Waiting for the big role that he thinks will solve all his troubles, Veljko slowly begins to come to grips with the real problems in his life.
Directed and produced by the lead actor, Gordan Kičić, this U.S. premiere marks the launch of SEEfest online edition. Don’t miss this rare lighthearted film from South East Europe, and a successful feature debut of a popular actor.
Watch COMMON STORY in the virtual screening room.
Interview with ZANA filmmakers
We begin a series of interviews highlighting filmmakers behind some of the films in the official selection of SEEfest 2020, starting with the L.A.-based team of ZANA. Check out the conversation Hipolito Munoz had with director Antoneta Kastrati, cinematographer Sevdije Kastrati and producer Casey Cooper Johnson. Make sure to follow SEEfest YouTube channel for more interviews and trailers to come, like this interview with ZANA filmmakers.
Summer Festival Jam
Transilvania International Film Festival in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, usually slated for June, will be held outdoors from July 31-Aug 9, preceded by Pula Film Festival in Croatia taking place July 18-26 in the beautiful outdoor venue Arena, one of only six surviving amphitheaters from Roman times. On the heels of these two festivals, Sarajevo will welcome visitors to its 26th edition taking place Aug 14-21 in several outdoor venues.
SEE filmmakers on the move: Ioana Mischie VR project goes to Cannes
Tangible Utopias, poetically dubbed as ‘noetic science and hope-filled vision’ VR project by Romanian filmmaker Ioana Mischie is one of 23 selected for Cannes XR industry platform. Last year two of her other projects were successfully presented at SEEfest Accelerator.
SUPPORT SEEFEST
If you like our programming orientation and the cultural mission of SEEfest, consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you!
FRIENDS OF SEEFEST
SEEfest program and activities are supported, in part, by the California Arts Council, a state agency; Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture; and by an Arts Grant from the City of West Hollywood. Special thanks to ELMA, and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for their continued support of our programs.
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Zana Online – Kosovo’s Entry for 2020 Oscars Best International Feature
From SEEfest 2020 lineup: ZANA is now available online
We are proud to present online the first of the 12 features in this year’s competition: ZANA, a remarkable debut by filmmaker Antoneta Kastrati, about a Kosovar woman’s struggles to reconcile the expectations of motherhood with a legacy of wartime brutality. Actress Adriana Matoshi superbly portrays the anguish and heartbreak of her post-war life, haunted by her long-suppressed past and pressured by family to seek treatment from mystical healers for her infertility.
The online viewing is made possible by our distribution partner, Synergetic, which has already acquired the U.S. rights for the film. Watch this great movie, beautifully lensed by cinematographer Sevdije Kastrati, director’s sister, whose previous work includes ‘The Marriage,’ screened at SEEfest 2018. ZANA was also Kosovo’s Oscar submission.
Watch ZANA in the virtual screening room.
A whole new film calendar in 2021
Most if not all major entertainment industry dates in the U.S. are under review. Starting with the Oscars announcement about extended eligibility period and likely new date for the ceremony in April instead of February, many festivals, awards shows, trade events and conferences will also adjust their 2021 calendars.
New podcast for documentary filmmakers: WHAT’S UP WITH DOCS?
Check out this new podcast about all things of interest for documentary filmmakers. Hosted by long-time SEEfest Accelerator mentor and advisor, Toni Bell, and produced by her IDA colleague Ranell Shubert, the podcast launched with a conversation featuring Tracy Rector, Seattle, WA – based Choctaw/Seminole filmmaker, and co-founder of Longhouse Media, an indigenous media arts organization, home of the nationally acclaimed program Native Lens. Congrats!
SUPPORT SEEFEST
If you like our programming orientation and the cultural mission of SEEfest, consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you!
FRIENDS OF SEEFEST
SEEfest program and activities are supported, in part, by the California Arts Council, a state agency; Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture; and by an Arts Grant from the City of West Hollywood. Special thanks to ELMA, and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for their continued support of our programs.
Follow SEEfest on Instagram and Facebook where we post SEE news as it happens!