Tetovo, 12 June 2024 (MIA) — The 13th WatchOut! International Film Festival, which opens at Tetovo's Museum of the Communist Party on Wednesday and will run through June 15, will show 26 films, MIA's Tetovo correspondent reports.

According to festival organizers at a press conference, this year's WatchOut! festival is centered around life-affirming themes of hope and striving for a better world despite harsh realities.

"The festival uses art and culture to bring these narratives of reality closer to us, bridging them for a brighter future," said organizer Bujar Luma.

WatchOut! awards prizes for best documentary, best short film, and best experimental and animation film.

Festival organizers received 630 films from 81 countries and six continents. "The films we received prove that cinematography is a bridge that connects the universe and crosses all borders," Egzona Musliu said.

All films will be shown in their original version with English subtitles.

Besides open-air film screenings, she said, the festival will offer workshops and special screenings followed by discussions.

WatchOut! Tetovo Film Festival is organized by Center for Balkan Cooperation LOJA and funded by the Goethe Institut Skopje. mr/