13th ZagrebDox Opens

Before the screening of Communion by the Polish director Anna Zamecka, the audience was greeted by the festival director Nenad Puhovski and the Mayor of Zagreb Milan Bandić, who also officially opened the festival.

Nenad Puhovski said that ahead of the Oscar ceremony everyone is discussing the phenomenon of screening rooms, making it possible for anyone to see the latest films in the comfort of their own homes practically simultaneously as they are released across the cinemas. "Here at ZagrebDox we believe in something different – here it is about the films, but also about the people. It is important that cinema goers meet, talk, discuss the films. Apart from encounters between the audience and the films, ZagrebDox has also become a place where local filmmakers meet international authors," said the director of ZagrebDox and added that one of the goals of the festival for the very beginning has been to increase visibility and help launch Croatian documentary film on the global scene. This year's international juries consist of renowned film professionals from the most famous documentary festivals, who will definitely help position Croatian documentary titles at world festivals. "This shows that not only our festival grew in respect, but also that Croatian films and filmmakers and their systematic hard work and effort have gained greater reputation and recognition globally," said Nenad Puhovski.

Milan Bandić expressed his pride with the fact that he had been following the development and success of the festival in the past 13 years, and stressed the importance ZagrebDox had in strengthening local film production, as well as collaboration on the local and international level. "These 120 films guarantee that ZagrebDox is becoming the most important documentary festival in this part of Europe," said the Mayor of Zagreb and officially opened the 13th ZagrebDox.

The 13th ZagrebDox festival closes on Sunday, 5 March, and hosts screenings between 12am and 10pm, throughout seven days. In the upcoming seven days, the festival visitors will have a chance to enjoy over 120 films from all over the world.

ZagrebDox is organised with the support of the City of Zagreb, Croatian Audiovisual Centre and Creative Europe – MEDIA Sub-programme. Croatian Telecom has been its general sponsor for the 12th year in a row.