The Durres International Film Festival: An Impressive Program

Imagine you are traveling through Albania this month, exploring the luscious country side and enjoying the captivating Adriatic Sea and you are able to attend the 5th Durres International Film Summerfest. Wouldn’t that be the most glorious vacation imaginable? Happening August 26^th the 30th, the Durres International Film Summerfest offers an impressive lineup of films that aims to establish cultural connections between Albania and other Balkan countries. Showing films at an Ancient Roman Amphitheatre and by the beach, festival goers will have the opportunity to have a cinematic experience exposed to the elements. 

Durrës, the second largest city in Albania located on the central Albanian coast, lies about 33 km (21 mi) west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania, situated on the Adriatic Sea opposite of the Italian ports of Bari and Brindisi.

This year the festival will offer a section called International Documentary Programme and the Short Film. The official competition will consist of 8 films selected among the most significant recent productions and 6 films in the Balkan World Section, recent productions from the region. This year the festival will also feature two new sections for best Albanian Short Film Students focusing on films produced in Albanian film schools, and  Close Encounters focusing on French film. Whether you can make it to Albania for the International Film Summerfest or not, if you follow the lineup you are sure to gain a cinematic experience worth exploring.