Friday Nov. 2 launches the 16th edition of Tirana International Film Festival (TIFF). TIFF is the most important cinematographic event in Tirana due to its tradition, high number of applicants, a rich program, film premieres of international cinematic markets, the selective capability of films and fascinating discoveries. This year’s motto is ‘’Think different, see alike’’.
There was a high international interest, attention and demand this year as the winning film of the Best Short Live Action/Animation will be ranked in the Oscar nominations of the category. This right given by the Academy of Art and Sciences USA, ranks TIFF amongst the other prestigious film festivals, like Cannes, Berlin, Tribeca, Venice, Sundance, etc., and provides a chance to Balkans’ films to compete and get recognition in the international market.
For 2018 there was a record of 4000 films applications, out of which 128 were offered by the International Selection Committee, which will be screened in an eight-day event at various locations around Tirana, from Nov. 2 through 9 starting from 10:30 in the morning until midnight. The films are divided in the following categories: Feature, EYE on TIFF (debut feature film competition), Short Live Action, Animation, Documentary, Student and Video Art & Experimental, Balkan and In Albania competition, and Media. There is different jury of three persons per each category that will select the best film in the category considering some criteria.
There will also be special screening of films premiering in theatres worldwide such Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot by Gus Van Sant, Suspiria by Luca Guadagnino, The House That Jack Built by Lars von Trier. These names are assured to make the festival more attractive to local and international audience.
Among the various film screenings, TIFF will also screen the ten nominated short movies for Oscar. The is another category called FOCUS which will be commemorating the 50th anniversary of the events that changed the world with a series of lectures and films of the 1960s era titled ‘For Another Dream’ at Kino Bar every day starting at 7 p.m., the event curated by Federico Rossin, Arber Zaimi and Edon Qesari.
There was a category for Kids added this year, after an initiation and request from the previous year. The program will take place at the Puppet Theatre, and it seeks to raise and educate future cinematic audiences through a vast selection of European Films.
A category not to be left behind is PANORAMA which program lists: GENERATIONs, NEW WORLD, DIVERGENT MINDs, PARADE, REFLECTING ALBANIA and DOC+ that includes not only the artistic values in cinema, but also sharp social and political issues.
The main locations are Kinema Millenium which will bring other organized events except film screenings, serving food and drinks and providing an opportunity to talk with filmmakers. The other one is Kino Bar which will bring ‘For Another Dream’ and other events. The ticket prices depend on the films, or one can buy an all-films badge pass which costs 15 euros or 2000 lek, or a daily pass for 500 lek.
Tirana International Film Festival, implemented by the Tirana Film Institute, the biggest and oldest film festival in Albania, and the only international one held. Created in 2003, the festival is internationally recognized and screens every year more than 200 movies of all genres devised in various sections that compete and with eight international juries, including FIPRESCI, that award the films in competitions.
TIFF is a national cinema event whose main objective is to enlarge the number of screening venues and times of European and non European films of all genres, and durations in Albania. It is considered to be an event to develop new audiences around the country, combining film screenings with public and thematic debates, approaching new and increased Film Audiences, with a focus on Film Literacy.
