Skopje, 9 September 2025 (MIA) - Cinematographer Darius Khondji is the recipient of the Golden Camera 300 for Lifetime Achievement at the 46th International Cinematographers Film Festival “Manaki Brothers”, while Academy Award winner Wally Pfister will receive the Special Golden Camera 300 for Outstanding Contribution to the Art of Film, said organizers at a press conference Tuesday ahead of the beginning of the festival set to be held in Bitola on September 20-26.

ICFF Manaki Brothers director Dimitrja Doksevski said that this year’s edition of the fesival will be exceptionally high-quality, with a strong program and plenty of excitement. He emphasized that Wally Pfister and Darius Khondji have confirmed their attendance at the festival and will also hold masterclasses.

Doksevski reminded that this year’s Special Camera 300 for Outstanding Contribution to World Cinematic Art will be presented to Semih Kaplanoğlu, while Kiril Dzajkovski will receive the Great Star of Macedonian Cinema award presented by the Macedonian Film Professionals’ Association.

At the press conference, Doksevski said the poster for this year’s festival has been created by Macedonian multimedia artist and film director Kiro Urdin.  

The programmer of the festival’s main program, Slagjan Penev, said Macedonian film “Mother” by Teona Strugar Mitevska will open the 46th ICFF Manaki Brothers. The film previously had its world premiere at the Orizzonti section of the Venice Film Festival. The festival will be closed by Georgi M. Unkovski’s “DJ Ahmet”, which has so far picked up awards at several festivals. 

Marija Apchevska, programmer of the international short films program alongside Atanas Velkovski, said 14 titles from around the world will be showcased at the festival. The program will include short films from Switzerland, Türkiye, Singapore, the Philippines, and others.

“This program celebrates the short film as a distinct form and allows for freedom in terms of camera work and cinematographic achievements. As in previous editions, among the selected titles will be the Macedonian film ‘New Energy’ by Sara Klimovska and Radovan Petrovikj,” Apchevska said.

The shorts program will also include Macedonian co-production “Loynes” which premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

Apchevska said some of the selected films tackle social themes and some have adventurous stories. They include films that premiered and received recognitions at reputable film festivals, as well as films by new filmmakers. 

Kumjana Novakova, programmer of the documentary films program, said the program’s concept is guided by several principles, with the most important being creative courage and the uniqueness of the visual cinematic expression. She noted that they also strive to be led by the film’s social engagement and a sense of responsibility – social, authorial, creative.

“This year’s program will showcase eight films from around the world, from Europe, South America, the region... What unites all these films is the fact they are relevant in a social, economic, political, and cultural sense,” Novakova said. 

Hanis Bagashov, programmer of the student films program, said 16 titles will be showcased at the festival, which mainly come from Europe and the region. 

Photo: MIA