The experimental-documentary All Still Orbit by Dane Komljen and James Lattimer, produced by Zagreb’s Restart, will be screened in the short film ‘Tiger Awards Competition’. The film was shot in 2015 in Brazil, and is based on the dream of Italian saint Don Bosco in 1883, which served as a starting point for the development of the new Brazilian capital city, Brasilia. The film investigates his connection to a small, blue-collar town just outside the megalopolis, which sunk soon after Brasilia was developed. The executive producers are Oliver Sertić of Restart, as well as Dane Komljen and James Lattimer. Nataša Damnjanović and Vladimir Vidić from Serbia’s Dart Film are co-producers, along with Daniela Marinho of Brazil’s Flvmina Creative Production. The film’s screening at the 45th IFFR will also be its world premiere.

The multiple award-winning The High Sun, directed by Dalibor Matanić, as well as the Dutch-French-Croatian co-production Full Contact, by renowned Dutch filmmaker David Verbeek, will be screened in the ‘Limelight’ section. The section is a part of the IFFR’s new programme ‘Voices’. The High Sun was nominated at the end of last year for the Satellite Award for Best Foreign Film as voted upon by the International Press Academy (IPA). This honor followed the successful distribution of the film in Croatia, 40 appearances at international festivals, and 19 awards and prizes. The film, starring Tihana Lazović and Goran Marković, was written and directed by Dalibor Matanić. The film was produced by Zagreb’s Kinorama and co-produced by Gustav Film of Slovenia and SEE Film Pro in Serbia.

Full Contact is produced by Lemming Film and co-produced by Bac Films and Croatia’s Jaako Dobra Produkcija. The film was fully shot in Croatia where numerous locations around the country played the roles of Yemen, the Nevada Desert, Brussels and a deserted island in the ocean. The film is a psychological thriller about a military operator who, from his base in Nevada, controls an American drone over Afghanistan and Pakistan. The film won the Silver Plaque for Best Cinematography (Frank Van Den Eeden) at the 51st Chicago International Film Festival, while Lizzi Brocheré won the Silver Hugo for Best Actress. 

Earlier, it was announced that the short competition will screen two Croatian films: Dubravka Turić’s Belladonna, produced by Spiritus Movens, as well as the animated film Here There, directed by Alexander Stewart and produced by Bonobostudio in Zagreb. 

The IFFR is one of the biggest and most influential film festivals which not only attracts tens of thousands of film professionals and visitors each year, but also determines future trends in film and highlights up and coming filmmakers. Due to its wealthy programme, large number of visitors and exceptionally developed industrial market (the film market CineMart), Rotterdam is considered a first class festival. More information can be found on the festival’s official website.

Cover photos: scenes from All Still Orbit, The High Sun and Full Contact