“A Tradition That Celebrates the Perseverance of Champions” – 15th International Sports Film Festival Officially Opens in Zlatibor
The International Sports Film Festival was officially opened last night at the Cultural Centre in Zlatibor, once again bringing together prominent figures from the worlds of sport and film.
The 15th, jubilee edition of the festival was also an opportunity to look back at the event’s beginnings and reflect on the development of the idea behind the establishment of a sports film festival, while paying tribute to the people who initiated its creation and contributed to its development.
The founders of the festival are the Municipality of Cajetina and the Zlatibor Tourism Organization, which, fifteen years ago, decided to create a festival in Zlatibor that would become one of the destination’s defining events, bringing together leading figures from the world of sport and filmmakers whose work celebrates sporting achievements.
As is tradition, the opening ceremony featured the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards, as well as special recognitions for outstanding contributions to sport and film.
The Serbian Paralympic para-alpine skier Luka Bilcar was presented with the “Natasa Kovacevic” Hero of Sport and Life Award.
The Sports Journalism Award went to veteran Radio Belgrade journalist Stevan Kovacevic, one of the creative minds behind the RTS Cross-Country event.
This year, the festival also introduced an award for the Best Sports Podcast. The inaugural award was presented posthumously to journalist and sports commentator Edin Avdic.
The Lifetime Achievement Awards once again honoured outstanding athletes and sports organizations that have left an indelible mark on the world of sport.
Among this year’s recipients are the Yugoslav Sports Society “Partizan” and “Jedinstvo” Table Tennis Club from Uzice.
At the 15th Sports Film Festival, Lifetime Achievement Awards were also presented to renowned Serbian athletes and sports personalities: track and field athlete Dane Korica, sport shooter Goran Maksimovic, footballer Slavka Kanjevac, table tennis player Branka Batinic, and footballer Dejan “Rambo” Petkovic.
In a deeply emotional address, Petkovic recalled some of the most significant moments of his remarkable career, which began in his hometown of Majdanpek and ultimately led him to become one of the most celebrated names in Brazilian football.
As part of the festival’s traditional programme, the team of KK Zlatibor was also officially presented ahead of the upcoming season.
The first festival evening concluded with screenings of the films “Pele, Dzaja, Slavka” and “O Gringo”, presented in honour of award recipients Slavka Kanjevac and Dejan “Rambo” Petkovic.
Over the next three days, the festival will screen 36 sports films from around the world at the Zlatibor Cultural Centre. A rich accompanying programme will take place at King’s Square, with this year’s activities focusing on football and table tennis, alongside a panel discussion dedicated to women in sport and film.
