Top Croatian Films Shine at Orašje Festival

The 30th edition of the Croatian Film Festival, dedicated to the legendary actor and festival founder Ivo Gregurević, was opened in the actor's hometown of Orašje, northern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This year's awards for outstanding contributions to film and theatre went to actors Goran Višnjić and Igor Galo, and director Dražen Ferenčina, CE Report quotes HINA.

The festival programme began with the laying of wreaths at Gregurević's grave, a tribute to his immense contribution to Croatian culture and cinema. Representatives from the Croatian National Assembly of BiH, the Croatian Government, the Posavina Canton Government, and the City of Orašje took part in the ceremony.

Speaking at the opening gala, Zvonko Milas, the Croatian Government's special envoy and Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, highlighted Gregurević's unique ability to connect the two homelands and unite people across borders.

The festival was officially opened by Darijana Filipović, Vice-President of HDZ BiH. During the ceremony, awards for significant contributions to film and theatre were handed out. The laureates, Višnjić, Galo, and Ferenčina, received a bronze sculpture of Ivo Gregurević, created by sculptor Ante Jurkić.

Over the ten-day festival, audiences will have the chance to watch 16 feature films, including five from the children’s programme. Orašje continues its tradition of screening almost all films from the Pula Film Festival before they reach larger cultural centres, giving local audiences early access to Croatia’s top cinematic works.

The festival is held under the high patronage of the Croatian National Assembly of BiH and the Croatian Government, reaffirming the enduring cultural and communal legacy of Ivo Gregurević as a cornerstone of Croatian cinematic heritage.