Small but mighty, Montenegro is the new star of Balkan cinema • Celebrating 20 years of independence, the country presents an exceptionally rich film programme • Montenegrin films showcase the region’s biggest stars and introduce bold new authorial voices
In a world where big fish routinely eat up small ones, films have long been the privilege of major language markets and wealthy countries. In recent years, however, the countries of Europe’s south and the Balkans have been making an increasingly visible mark on the global film map. Neighbouring Montenegro, a country of just 650 thousand people, is successfully fighting – with plenty of drive, vitality and openness – to tell new cinematic stories in its own language.
This is precisely why Montenegro is the partner country of this year’s Cinehill, taking place from 21 to 26 July in Gorski Kotar. These two mountainous regions will thus come together inthe festival’s main accompanying programme, titled Mountain to Mountain, which will showcase new films by our southern neighbours.
“No Balkan cinema has made a stronger turnaround in recent years than Montenegro’s. This coincides with the celebration of the 20 years of Montenegrin independence, which is why Cinehill is presenting a selection of their latest films. The program we have chosen shows that, in their effort to break free of stereotypes, our neighbours are turning to contemporary stories that strive for universality. Among them, I would personally highlight Milivoje Obradović’s wonderfully witty, low-budget 15 and a Half, as well as Katarina Bulajić’s short film Special Day”, said Milena Zajović, Cinehill’s Creative Director.
Besides an increasingly rich body of original production, Montenegro has also embraced co-productions, taking an active part in its neighbours’ projects. Numerous Montenegrin films are the fruit of collaboration between three or more countries, often including Croatia. Alongside domestic artists, directors sometimes come from across the border, open to exchange both in front of and behind the camera.
“With Montenegro we don’t just share the Adriatic coast – we share actors too: from Momčilo Otašević, a major screen presence in both countries, to a whole line-up of Croatian actors who have taken leading roles in Montenegrin films. In the hit comedy Forever Hold Your Peace, the Montenegrin bride is played by Tihana Lazović, the best man by Goran Bogdan, and the anxious mother by Snježana Sinovčić Šiškov”, explains Igor Mirković, Cinehill Festival’sDirector.
The film program presents notable contemporary Montenegrin works. The competition sectionfeatures 15 and a Half, Milivoje Obradović’s hilarious film about an actor in search of meaning. Among the fresh festival highlights is Black Trumpet, directed by Bojan Stijović, starring Momčilo Otašević in the lead role, and Otter, a coming-of-age story about love and death, directed by Srđan Vuletić.
Comedy fans will get their fix too, with Forever Hold Your Peace, Ivan Marinović’s comedictitle in the style of the popular The Wedding. A special place in the program is reserved for Vud, You Won!, a documentary by Senad Šahmanović, dedicated to Dušan Vukotić, our only Oscar winner.
Alongside several shorts, the program also features two Montenegrin minority co-productions: the powerful and dark, true-story-driven Our Father in the Main Program, and The Pavilion as part of the tribute to Zijah Sokolović, recipient of the 50 Years Award.
The side program will include the round table “How to Make a Regional Hit”, the launch of the monograph on contemporary Montenegrin film, and a range of entertaining content. Fužine will also welcome a sizeable delegation of Montenegrin filmmakers presenting their titles in person.
“Ten years after the founding of the Film Centre of Montenegro, investment in developing the region’s youngest cinema is bearing fruit. Montenegrin authors have gained visibility and levelled the playing field not only on the regional, but also on the European and world stage. It is hugely important that audiences at Cinehill – the successor to the Motovun Film Festival, which I myself grew up visiting – will also get to know our films and authors”, said Aleksandra Božović, Managing Director of the Film Centre of Montenegro.
Ticket bundles for films in the festival program are already in presale at best-value prices, and can be obtained via the following link: https://core-event.co/events/cinehill-film-festival-2026-10af
Cinehill is co-organised with the Municipality of Fužine, and supported by the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Kvarner Tourist Board and the Croatian Audiovisual Centre.
