The 32nd edition of the Palić European Film Festival was officially opened on the evening of July 19 at the Summer Stage in Palić. For several days, this picturesque lakeside town once again became a cultural hub — not only for Subotica but for all of Europe.
SRBIJA NEWS – The opening ceremony featured the presentation of major festival awards. The “Aleksandar Lifka” award for outstanding contribution to European cinema was presented to acclaimed Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa, while the “Underground Spirit” award for independent cinema was given to Austrian filmmaker Peter Tscherkassky. Both laureates attended the ceremony and expressed their gratitude to the organizers and audience.
The festival opened with a screening of “Mother-of-Pearl Fog” — the final film by the late Serbian director Milorad Milinković, shown out of competition. The cast and crew appeared on stage before the screening, including actors, the screenwriter, the editor, and the director’s daughter.
Over the coming days, audiences will enjoy a rich lineup across several competitive and thematic sections:
- Main Competition
- Parallels and Encounters
- New Spirit of Europe
- Eco Dox
- New European Documentary Film
- FAFA and MIOB in Shorts
A highlight of Sunday, July 20, will be the Serbian premiere of Sergei Loznitsa’s film “The Trial Prosecutors” at 9:00 PM on the Summer Stage. The screening will be preceded by the presentation of the “Aleksandar Lifka” award to Serbian producer Svetozar Cvetković.
Throughout the day, audiences can also attend exhibitions and special screenings, including:
- 4:00 PM – “The Power of Love: Vlastimir Gavrik”, a documentary and exhibition at the Open University Subotica
- 5:00 PM – Cartoon exhibition opening at Abazia Cinema
- 7:00 PM – “The Sun Never Again”, followed by a discussion with the film’s director and editor
- 8:00 PM – Screening of “Rabbit Dike” from the Parallels and Encounters selection, followed by a talk with director Cheyenne Černić
The full festival program is available at: www.palicfilmfestival.com
Admission to all film screenings is free, making the festival accessible to a wide audience and emphasizing its open, inclusive European character.
The festival is supported by Serbia’s Ministry of Culture, the Government of Vojvodina, the City of Subotica, and the EU’s Creative Europe MEDIA program, along with numerous cultural and media partners. Gorki List, a long-standing festival supporter, will once again present the Audience Award for Best Film — a tradition going strong for 29 years.
This annual event strengthens dialogue among European filmmakers, promotes artistic freedom, and transforms Palić into a key meeting point of European cultural life.
Sources & corrections
SRBIJA NEWS identifies sources and updates information when available. If you notice an error or can provide verified local information, please contact the newsroom.
Send a correction or updateRelated stories
Kornél Mundruczó Honored at the Opening of the 33rd European Film Festival Palić
Peter Tscherkassky Honored with the Underground Spirit Award at the 32nd European Film Festival Palić
European Film Festival Palić 2025 Celebrates Bold Voices, Urgent Stories, and Cinematic Diversity
Palić European Film Festival Closes with Major Award, New Premieres and Filmmaker Talks