Winners of the 73 Pula Film Festival Announced: Honey Bunny Wins the Grand Golden Arena, Srđan Kovačević Wins Best Director, The Wedding Wins Best Production
The award ceremony of the 73rd Pula Film Festival was held on Wednesday night at the Istrian National Theatre, with an abundant accompanying programme. The Golden Arena Awards for the Main Programme (Croatian Film and Croatian Minority Co-productions), the Breza Award, and the Award for Best Regional Film were presented.
Awards for films in the Main Programme were decided on by film and theatre director and screenwriter Vinko Brešan, editor Hrvoslava Brkušić, producer Tina Hajon, production designer Tanja Lacko, and director and curator Ivan Ramljak. The winner in the Regional Programme was selected by directors Čejen Černić Čanak and Emilija Gašić, and film critic Tina Poglajen.
Here is a list of all award-winners in the Main Programme (Croatian Film and Croatian Minority Co-productions) and the winner in the Regional Programme, as well as the final critics’ scores.
CROATIAN FILM
1 GRAND GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST FESTIVAL FILM HONEY BUNNY “KOKE”
For the convincing presentation of the Mediterranean setting and its striking theatricality, impressive family drama, skilfully crafted humour, and exceptionally strong acting performances that give it unique emotional power, the Grand Golden Arena for Best Festival Film is presented to the film Honey Bunny.
Igor Jelinović, the film “Honey Bunny”
2 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST DIRECTOR IS PRESENTED TO SRĐAN KOVAČEVIĆ FOR THE FILM THE THING TO BE DONE
With powerful emotion and subtle film language, the director builds the story that, despite social injustice, opens up space for hope, solidarity, and faith that change begins by caring for humans. The Golden Arena for Best Director is presented to Srđan Kovačević for the film The Thing to Be Done.
Srđan Kovačević, the film “ The Thing to Be Done”
3 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST SCREENPLAY IS PRESENTED TO IGOR JELINOVIĆ FOR THE FILM HONEY BUNNY
For Shakespearean-level precision in building dramatic composition in scenes and authentic dialogues as vehicles of identity, humour, and emotion, and for successfully combining local spirit with classic dramatic storytelling, the Golden Arena for Best Screenplay is presented to Igor Jelinović for the film Honey Bunny.
4 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST PRODUCTION IS PRESENTED TO IVAN KELAVA AND MARKO JOCIĆ FOR THE FILM THE WEDDING
For production excellence accomplished through successful communication with the audience, putting together a high-class team, and creating the conditions for a strong authorial vision to be translated into a rounded and recognisable film project, the Golden Arena for Best Production is presented to Ivan Kelava and Marko Jocić for the film The Wedding.
Ivan Kelava, the film “The Wedding”
5 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST ACRESS IS PRESENTED TO SNJEŽANA SINOVČIĆ ŠIŠKOV
For her exceptional performance shaping a layered, authentic, and passionate female character, and becoming the driving force of the family and the film as a whole with sharp and funny dialogue and strong acting presence, the Golden Arena for Best Actress is presented to Snježana Sinovčić Šiškov for the role of Tonina in the film Honey Bunny.
6 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST ACTOR IS PRESENTED TO DADO ĆOSIĆ
For his exceptionally brave, sensual, and suggestive performance bringing together artistic passion, inner vulnerability, and dignity of a man facing repression, the Golden Arena for Best Actor is presented to Dado Ćosić for the role of Lovro in the film Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day.
Dado Ćosić, the film “Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day”
7 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IS PRESENTED TO JANA PLEĆAŠ FOR THE FILM GOD WILL NOT HELP
For her exceptionally though-out visual concept that consistently build the film’s atmosphere, with emphasis on night scenes, in which control of light creates powerful intensity, without losing sense of space or characters, the Golden Arena for Best Cinematography is presented to Jana Plećaš for the film God Will Not Help.
8 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST EDITING IS PRESENTED TO KLARA ŠOVAGOVIĆ AND DAMIRČUČIĆ FOR THE FILM THE THING TO BE DONE
By carefully bringing together different voices and situations, the film’s precise and unassuming editing shapes a powerful portrait of a collective and builds an emotionally convincing whole from its dynamic daily existence, giving a rare sense of hope. The Golden Arena for Best Editing is presented to Klara Šovagović and Damir Čučić for the film The Thing to Be Done.
The film How the War Started On My Island will be screened at 9.15 p.m. on Thursday, 16 July at the Istrian National Theatre.SCREENING SCHEDULE for awarded films on Thursday, 16 July:
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16:00 – Ida Who Sang So Badly Even the Dead Rose Up and Joined Her in Song, Golden Arena for Best Regional Film
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18:00 – Golden Gate of Pula Audience Award
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20:00 – Honey Bunny, Grand Golden Arena for Best Festival Film
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22:00 – Wind, Talk to Me, Golden Arena for Best Croatian Co-production
9 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST MUSIC IS PRESENTED TO STAVROS EVANGELOU, IRIS ASIMAKOPOULOU AND VASILIS CHONTOS FOR THE FILM GOD WILL NOT HELP
For music that gives a contemporary, dream-like, and ominous dimension, becoming an integral part of the film’s atmosphere, the Golden Arena for Best Music is presented to Stavros Evangelou, Iris Asimakopoulou, and Vasilis Chontos for the film God Will Not Help.
10 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IS PRESENTED TO ALEKSANDRA JANKOVIĆ FOR THE ROLE OF TAJANA IN THE FILM HONEY BUNNY
For her performance showing temperament, wit, and exceptional sense of dialogue and playing off of fellow actors, shaping a memorable character and creating scenes filled with humour, tension, and vitality, the Golden Arena for Best Supporting Actress is presented to Aleksandra Janković for the role of Tajana in the film Honey Bunny.
Aleksandra Janković, the film “Honey Bunny”
11 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IS PRESENTED TO ROKO SIKAVICA FOR THE ROLE OF BUDIMIR IN THE FILM THE WEDDING
For the intelligently built role that creates an excellent contrast to the irrationality of other characters with subtle humour and calm presence, the Golden Arena for Best Supporting Actor is presented to Roko Sikavica for the role of Budimir in the film The Wedding.
Roko Sikavica, the film “The Wedding”
12 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST CASTING IS PRESENTED TO IGOR ŠEREGI FOR THE FILM THE WEDDING
For bringing together superb actors and young talents in a harmonious collective game that naturally exudes humour and vitality, the Golden Arena for Best Casting is presented to the film The Wedding.
Igor Šeregi i Ivan Kelava, the film “The Wedding”
13 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN IS PRESENTED TO STEFANO KATUNAR FOR THE FILM EXTRAORDINARY
For a convincing and playful world where reality and children’s imagination blend into a unique spatial whole, the Golden Arena for best Production Design is presented to Stefano Katunar for the film Extraordinary.
14 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST COSTUME DESIGN IS PRESENTED TO ZORANA MEIĆ FOR THE FILM EXTRAORDINARY
For her consistent work on developing the artistic concept and characters, building an authentic world seen through children’s eyes, and the film’s recognisable visual identity, the Golden Arena for Best Costume Design is presented to Zorana Meić for the film Extraordinary.
15 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST MAKE-UP IS PRESENTED TO ANA BULAJIĆ ČRČEK AND GORAN IGNJATOVSKI FOR THE FILM BEAUTIFUL EVENING, BEAUTIFUL DAY
For make-up design that subtly follows character development, convincingly supports character transformations, and contributes to the integrity of acting and cinematic expressiveness, the Golden Arena for Best Make-Up is presented to Ana Bulajić Črček and Goran Ignjatovski for the film Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day.
Ana Bulajić Črček, the film “Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day”
16 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BES SOUND DESIGN IS PRESENTED TO OLIVIER VOISIN FOR THE FILM PETTY THIEVES
An artistically designed sound image expands the space outside the frame, thickens the atmosphere and reveals the inner states of the characters. What we hear often says more than what we see. The Golden Arena for Best Sound Design is awarded to Olivier Voisin for the film “Petty Thieves”.
17 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST VISUAL EFFECTS IS PRESENTED TO VANDA RAYMANOVA, MICHAL STRUSS, KRSTO JARAM, IVANA ŠEBESTOVA, PETER BUDINSKY, MAREK JEŽO AND TOMAŠ DANAY FOR THE FILM EXTRAORDINARY
For effects that push the boundaries of film storytelling with animation, connecting reality and children’s imagination, and shaping the emotional experience of the film world, the Golden Arena for Best Visual Effects is presented to Vanda Raymanova, Michal Struss, Krsto Jaram, Ivana Šebestova, Peter Budinski, Marek Ježo, and Tomaš Danay for the visual effects in the film Extraordinary.
SPECIAL GOLDEN ARENA FOR CONTRIBUTION TO CROATIAN ANIMATION
For his outstanding contribution to Croatian animation through feature-length animated film and rare authorial and production range that brings Dušan Vukotić’s vision to life, the Special Arena for Contribution to Croatian Animation is presented to director Arsen Anton Ostojić for the animated film Crystal Planet.
Arsen Anton Ostojić, the film “Crystal Planet”
SPECIAL GOLDEN ARENA FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO AN ENSEMBLE CAST
For her distinctive humour and impressive portrayal of a strong, authentic female character and her outstanding ability to bring together and enhance the diverse film collective with her original performance, the Special Golden Arena for Outstanding Contribution to an Ensemble Cast is presented to Linda Begonja for the role of Marija in the film The Wedding.
THE BREZA AWARD IS PRESENTED TO ANA MARIJA VESELČIĆ FOR HER DEBUTANT ROLE IN THE FILM GOD WILL NOT HELP
With a rare poise, inner strength, and sense of subtle nuance, the actress created a character who is fragile and strong at the same time and gave a performance of great emotional authenticity. The Breza Award for Best Debutant is presented to Ana Marija Veselčić for the role of Milena in the film God will Not Help.
Ana Marija Veselčić, the film “God will Not Help”
CROATIAN MINORITY CO-PRODUCTIONS
1 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST CROATIAN MINORITY CO-PRODUCTION IS PRESENTED TO THE FILM WIND, TALK TO ME
In dealing with one of the hardest human experiences, the film consistently avoids grossly sympathetic pathos and simple emotional solutions by building its own, original film language where silence, rhythm, and subtle gestures carry the same weight as words. For its utmost courage and film precision in facing the theme of loss, the Golden Arena for Best Croatian Minority Co-production is presented to the film Wind, Talk to Me.
2 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST DIRECTOR IN A CROATIAN MINORITY CO-PRODUCTION IS PRESENTED TO MIŠA TERZIĆ FOR THE FILM THREE WEEKS AFTER
For his stylised design of a world that accurately depicts violence, helplessness, and pessimism in contemporary society, leaving a memorable impression on the viewers, the Golden Arena for Best Director in a Croatian Minority Co-production is presented to Miša Terzić for the film Three Weeks After.
Martin Pišlar i Miroslav Terzić, the film “Three Weeks After“
3 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST SCREENPLAY FOR A CROATIAN MINORITY CO-PRODUCTION IS PRESENTED TO VLADIMIR ARSENIJEVIĆ, MIROSLAV TERZIĆ, AND BOJAN VULETIĆ FOR THE FILM THREE WEEKS AFTER
For the convincing presentation of peer violence, a world devoid of empathy, and feeling there is no way out of the vicious cycle of violence and indifference, the Golden Arena for Best Screenplay for a Croatian Minority Co-production is presented to Vladimir Arsenijević, Miroslav Terzić, and Bojan Vuletić for the film Three Weeks After.
Vladimir Arsenijević, the film “Three Weeks After”
4 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST ACTOR IN A CROATIAN MINORITY CO-PRODUCTION IS PRESENTED TO VUČIĆ PEROVIĆ FOR THE ROLE OF DEJAN IN THE FILM OUR FATHER
For his outstanding, layered, and almost physically transformative presentation of the development of the character of an acddict, accomplished with utmost acting force and credibility, the Golden Arena for Best Actor in a Croatian Minority Co-production is presented to Vučić Perović for the role of Dejan in the film Our Father.
Goran Stanković, the film ” Our Father”
5 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A CROATIAN MINORITY CO-PRODUCTION IS PRESENTED TO MARKO BRDAR FOR THE FILM WIND, TALK TO ME
With thought-out composition and refined sense of space, lighting, and time, the camera creates an intimate relationship with the characters and shapes the emotions that remain unsaid. The Golden Arena for Best Cinematography in a Croatian Minority Co-production is presented to Marko Brdar for the film Wind, Talk to Me.
6 GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST EDITING IN A CROATIAN MINORITY CO-PRODUCTION IS PRESENTED TO MARKO FERKOVIĆ FOR THE FILM THREE WEEKS AFTER
With precise rhythm, the editing gradually intensifies the feeling of anxiety and uncertainty, moving the film from a naturalistic drama to an almost mythical vision of violence. The Golden Arena for Best Editing in a Croatian Minority Co-production is presented to Marko Ferković for the film Three Weeks After.
Marko Ferković, the film ” Three Weeks After”
REGIONAL PROGRAMME
GOLDEN ARENA FOR BEST REGIONAL FILM IS PRESENTED TO THE FILM IDA WHO SANG SO BADLY EVEN THE DEAD ROSE UP AND JOINED HER IN SONG
The film Ida Who Sang So Badly Even the Dead Rose Up and Joined Her in Song creates a rare cinematic space where the mundane and the magical coexist without the need to explain. Instead of portraying loss and growing up through psychological or narrative patterns we are used to, the author sees them from a child’s perspective, where imagination, play, and magic are equal ways of understanding the world.
The extraordinarily rich sensory film language particularly won us over. Sound, music, cinematography, and production design work together to create an emotional experience and allow the viewer to experience the world from within, not only observe it from the outside.
The aesthetic of the naive acts as the foundation of authorial poetics – the simplicity of the form becomes the vehicle of meaning that cannot be expressed with words, and the author’s decision to avoid ready-made answers leaves space for intuition, emotion, and one’s own interpretation.
We present this award in recognition of this exceptional debut and encourage the author’s creative confidence in future projects.
STUDENT PROGRAMME
AWARD FOR BEST STUDENT FILM IS PRESENTED TO SHALLOW GROUND, DIRECTED BY JOZO SCHMUCH
For its though-out and rounded concept, storytelling, authentic acting performances, and freedom of imagining a world beyond our physical reality where reconciliation is possible, the award is presented to the film Shallow Ground, directed by Jozo Schmuch.
Jozo Schmuch, the film ” Shallow Ground“
