The jury composed of Bojana Burnać, Ivana Roščić and Dušan Moravec in their explanation said that the author of the film ‘Underdown’ bravely and confidently leads the viewers through the streets of the disintegrated and chaotic Beirut, following the shocking life stories of the protagonist and their hope.

“The narrative line of the film gives a parallel view of the destinies of these people, but also of the city. A film in which the city and its inhabitants are like one organism. Equally, this is a film in which excellent dramaturgy, camera and sound are like one organism” they said in the decision. 

The jury also awarded two Special mentions – to the film ‘Aether’, directed by Rûken Tekeş from Turkey and to the Spanish film ‘City of the Dead’ directed by Miguel Eek. “Rûken Tekeş masterfully filled the film with meditation on the memory of the world that is disappearing and meditation on the world to come“, the jury members said in their decision.  

Describing the film ‘City of the dead’ they pointed that this is a film whose protagonists capture us with humour woven into the pain and happiness of life and death dance. Through the skilful rhythm of changes in the film scenes the author holds the viewer's attention without missing a single step in the circle we dance together.

The jury for the short documentary competition composed of Tina Šmalcelj, Joško Lokas and Goran Bogdan decided that the MFF Best Short award of the festival, sponsored by Podravka, goes to the film ‘Hell'. 

“In a touching, often shocking, but still aesthetically very satisfying film, the director shows the hell on earth, also known as the Pademba Road Prison in Sierra Leone. For humanism and courage which he approaches former and current prisoners with and the beauty he finds even in the darkest corners of the world the Jury decided to give the Best Short award to the film ‘Hell’, directed by Raul de la Fuente”, the jury stated and awarded two Special mentions.  

One Special Mention was awarded to the film ‘Then Comes the Evening’ directed by Maja Novaković, for which the jury said: ”With a calm and concentrated approach to the last years of life of the village and its inhabitants, this film creates a sense of idyll by showing pictures that we have long forgotten.Precise and aestheticised photography combined with a slow and unburdened life create a meditative and inspiring film.” 

Second Special Mention in this category was awarded to the film ‘Paradise’ directed by Mateo Cabeza from Spain for an extremely intimate and emotional story in which, in the isolated atmosphere of a hospital room, the roles of the father and the son are constantly merging and exchanging. 

During the closing of the 21stedition of the Mediterranean Film Festival, a film made at the MFF School workshop was screened, which was also held online this year. 

Tomislav Topić, the director of the festival, logging off the 21stedition, thanked everyone who supported this festival in its online form. 

“I hope that we will meet in normal conditions and in some festival atmosphere next year, at the 22ndMediterranean Film Festival”, Topić said.  

Twenty films in competition were screened at the 21st Mediterranean Film Festival, which took place from 19 to 22 August in Široki Brijeg.The festival also screened films in the program 'In Focus' and 'Sarajevo Film Centre', as well as surprise films created by local authors. 

*General sponsor of the Mediterranean Film Festival is HT Eronet.