The second edition of Slano Film Days, a unique event format that connects emerging regional filmmakers with major global film figures, will take place from June 17 to 21. Following the Sarajevo Film Festival, Mirsad Purivatra is presenting a new concept in Slano, focused on the creative process of film as art, rather than its commercial value. The strong turnout of internationally renowned filmmakers already signals that Slano is becoming a key meeting place for filmmakers and film lovers.
While last year’s edition focused on directors, this year’s Slano Film Days has expanded to include actors as lecturers. Among those sharing their experience with regional talent will be the legendary Steve Buscemi, whose contribution to cinema is immeasurable, and the outstanding Daniel Brühl, known for captivating audiences and critics alike with his acting virtuosity.
Steve Buscemi, the king of indie film, is an award-winning actor, screenwriter, director, and producer. With his distinctive look and unmatched screen presence, Buscemi built his career in independent films and became an icon of the New York scene, always staying true to his art. His credits include Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, and The Big Lebowski. On TV, he starred in Boardwalk Empire, Miracle Workers, and The Sopranos, and appeared in 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. As a director, his work includes Lonesome Jim and Interview, as well as episodes of The Sopranos, 30 Rock, Nurse Jackie, and Portlandia. His latest directorial project, The Listener starring Tessa Thompson, premiered at the 2022 Venice Film Festival and later at Tribeca. He recently joined the cast of Netflix’s hit show Wednesday and is now working with Searchlight Pictures on the film Wild Horse Nine, directed by Martin McDonagh.
Daniel Brühl, the award-winning German-Spanish actor, producer, and director, rose to international fame in Wolfgang Becker’s film Good Bye, Lenin!, followed by roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds and Ron Howard’s Rush, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination in 2014. His production company, Amusement Park, produced All Quiet on the Western Front, which won four Oscars, seven BAFTAs, and nine Lola Awards. Brühl also produced and directed Next Door, and produced and starred in Julie Delpy’s My Zoe. He is currently acting alongside Kirsten Dunst in Ruben Östlund’s upcoming film The Entertainment System Is Down.
The festival in Slano will feature the latest film starring Steve Buscemi – Psycho Therapy: The Shallow Tale of a Writer Who Decided to Write About a Serial Killer – which won the Audience Award at Tribeca. The film’s director Tolga Karaçelik will also attend. Daniel Brühl’s breakout film Good Bye, Lenin! will be screened in honour of the late director Wolfgang Becker.
The final list of Slano Film Days 2025 participants includes 14 selected film artists who will take part in workshops in acting, directing, or cinematography. Acting workshops will be attended by Iva Babić (Croatia), Yllka Gashi (Kosovo), Marko Grabež (Serbia), Maja Izetbegović (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Klara Kuk (Slovenia), and Mišo Obradović (Montenegro). Directing workshops will include Gregor Božić (Slovenia), Jelena Gavrilović (Serbia), Samir Karahoda (Kosovo), Ivan Marinović (Montenegro), and Nebojša Slijepčević (Croatia). Cinematography participants are Jana Anđić (Serbia), Milena Bečanović (Montenegro), and Magdalena Ptiček (Croatia).
During the five-day festival, all participants will gain valuable personal and professional insights, while open conversations about the creative film process with renowned international guests will strengthen the regional film community as a whole. The full list of guest lecturers and other notable film professionals will be published in mid-May 2025.
Participation by regional film professionals and students has been made possible through partnerships with Slano Film Days by: the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, the Film Center Serbia, the Montenegro Film Center, and the Slovenian Film Centre.
