Bitola, 20 September 2025 (MIA) - With the presentation of special festival awards and recognitions, and a screening of the Macedonian film Mother by director Teona Strugar Mitevska and cinematographer Virginie Saint-Martin, the Manaki Brothers International Cinematographers’ Film Festival (ICFF) opens Saturday evening in Bitola.

The 46th edition of the festival once again brings competitive films vying for the Golden, Silver and Bronze Camera 300 awards, a rich documentary and student program, and the return of MakPoint program, dedicated to Macedonian films.

The Lifetime Achievement Golden Camera 300 will be awarded on the open-air stage in Bitola, this year going to Darius Khondji, an Iranian-born cinematographer with an extensive career in the U.S., collaborating with directors of various calibers. The Special Camera 300 Award for outstanding contribution to world cinema will be presented to Semih Kaplanoğlu, one of the most influential directors in Turkish cinema, and to American Oscar-winner Wally Pfister. At the closing ceremony, Kiril Dzajkovski will receive the Great Star of Macedonian Film award for his exceptional contribution to Macedonian film music and culture.

The Manaki Brothers ICFF concludes on September 26 with the screening of DJ Ahmed by director Georgi M. Unkovski and cinematographer Naum Doksevski.

Photo: MIA