From Split to Venice, RE-ACT films are taking film festivals by storm.

RE-ACT is an initiative set up in 2015 by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Friuli Venezia Giulia Audiovisual Fund, Slovenian Film Centre, joined by Film Center Serbia. Since 2019, RE-ACT has been supporting the organization of First Cut Lab workshops benefiting their filmmakers.

Earlier this summer, “Staffroom” (Croatia) won five awards at Pula Film Festival, including the Best Film. Directed by Sonja Tarokic and produced by Ankica Juric Tilic, the film took part in First Cut Lab RE-ACT 2019. 

“Kick and Scream” (Croatia) premiered at Mediterranean Film Festival Split, where it also won the Best Film award. Later on, it won the Best Deput at Pula Film Festival. Directed by Nina Violic and produced by Vanja Sremac, the film took part in First Cut Lab RE-ACT Spring 2020.

Both coming from Croatia, “Staffroom” and “Kick and Scream” both showcase visions of strong female directors and their uncompromising takes on social drama and Croatian society.

“How I Learned to Fly” (Serbia) won the Audience Prize at Pula Film Festival, and it became a box-office hit, which was also screened at Locarno Film Festival, in the section Locarno Kids. Directed by Radivoje Andric and produced by Milan Stojanovic and Maja Popovic, the film took part in First Cut Lab RE-ACT Autumn 2020.

“The Riders” (Slovenia) took part in Competition at Sarajevo Film Festival, where it had its world premiere. Directed by Dominik Mencej and produced by Miha Černec, the film took part in First Cut Lab RE-ACT 2019.

“Orchestra” (Slovenia) won the Best Director award at Skopje Film Festival. Directed by Matevz Luzar and produced by Petra Vidmar, the film took part in First Cut Lab RE-ACT Spring 2020.

Last but definitely not least, “Have You Seen this Woman” (Serbia) is selected at Venice Film Festival, where it will have its world premiere. 

Co-directed by Dušan Zorić and Matija Gluščević, and produced by Čarna Vučinić, the film took part in First Cut Lab RE-ACT 2021. During the lab, this unique film benefited from the advice and mentorship of Radu Jude.

Cheers and congratulations to all the films and their teams, who prove that Balkans films make the audiences, juries and critics re-act all over the world.