The 10th Jubilee International Sports Film Festival Concludes on Zlatibor
Today, August 29, the 10th Jubilee International Sports Film Festival on Zlatibor officially came to a close.
The closing ceremony began with the presentation of special recognitions, followed by awards honoring the most outstanding authors and films.
Special awards were presented to Citi Group from Niš for the film “Number 1 – Dragan Pantelić”, Vojko Korošec for the project and film “School Basketball League – A Sport with a Thousand Faces”, and Sabahudin Topalbećirević, author of “Novi Pazar – A City that Produces Champions.”
The international jury, composed of Božo Sušec, Anita Panić, and Vladimir Stanković, made the official decisions on the festival’s main awards.
The award for Best Film Promoting High Moral Values in Sport was presented to Dejan Nikolić for “Medals for Life: From the Mlava to the Thames.” The film tells the story of Željko Dimitrijević, who, after a severe injury, demonstrated extraordinary strength and determination, ultimately becoming a Paralympic champion in club throwing.
The award for Best Film About a Sports Personality went to Ilya Uchitel, director of the Russian film “Streltsov,” which portrays a hero who stood up to Stalinism and political pressure, becoming a national sports icon thanks to his football genius.
The award for Best Design and Cinematography was given to German director of Serbian origin, Branko Krstić, for “A Lifetime in the Game.” The film is inspired by the compelling life story of sports journalist Živomir “Žika” Krstić, told through the cinematic vision of his grandson. A significant contribution to the film was made by cinematographer Milutin Labudović, whose masterful camera work and striking visuals enriched the narrative.
The award for Best Documentary Direction went to Igor Latinović for “Vaha – Portrait of a Legend,” a Bosnia and Herzegovina–Monaco co-production about the remarkable life of Vahid Halilhodžić, one of the most popular footballers from the former Yugoslavia.
The Best Feature Film award was given to the French film “Fahim: The Little Chess Prince,” which tells the story of a refugee boy from Bangladesh, addressing one of today’s most pressing global issues: migration and the fate of immigrants.
The award for Best Feature-Length Documentary went to Croatian director Vojan Koceić for “Rađa.” This compelling film follows the journey of a young man who, through dedication and belief in his talent, rose from Jugoplastika to Italy, the NBA, Greece, and the Yugoslav national team, ultimately earning a place in the Hall of Fame. The protagonist of the film had already received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the festival’s opening.
The Best Short Documentary Film award was presented to “Joker – Nikola Jokić,” by authors Nataša Šević and Vladimir Pajić, depicting the life journey of a boy from the small Serbian town of Sombor to the pinnacle of world basketball.
The Best Mid-Length Film award went to Croatian director Tomislav Žaja for “Ivan’s Game.” The film portrays the tragic yet heroic судьбина of one of the greatest Croatian and Yugoslav footballers of all time. The film’s protagonist honored the closing night with his presence, where he also received a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Best Film of the 10th Jubilee International Sports Film Festival was “The Game of My Life,” directed by Ivica Vidanović and written by Aleksandar Miletić. This powerful cinematic story portrays one of the most influential figures in international sports administration, tracing his journey from a passionate young athlete and national team player to a coach and ultimately a global basketball leader—leaving an enduring testament of its time.
The festival concluded with a screening of the award-winning film “Ivan’s Game.”
From Thursday through the closing evening, audiences at the Cultural Center had the opportunity to enjoy a rich panorama of documentary and feature films of various forms and lengths, covering diverse topics across numerous sports and featuring hundreds of prominent athletes and key figures.
This year’s festival was once again enriched by the legendary athletes from across the former Yugoslavia. Zlatibor brought together Dino Rađa and Razija Mujanović after many years, while Ivan Gudelj, Ivan Golac, and Dejan Pantelić were also in attendance. The jury included the renowned sports journalist Božo Sušec.
In addition to its important role in promoting film art, sports cinema also nurtures the values of a healthy and active lifestyle. The presence of such legends and their interaction with the Zlatibor audience undoubtedly contributed to conveying these values in an authentic and inspiring way.