The upcoming edition of Slano Film Days (16-20 June) is once again set to welcome major names from contemporary European and international cinema, including acclaimed directors Paweł Pawlikowski and Ruben Östlund, as well as actress Joanna Kulig.

Pawlikowski will present the Croatian premiere of his latest feature, Fatherland, at the Villa Riva Open-Air Cinema. The black-and-white drama, which won the Best Director Award at last week’s Cannes Film Festival, follows writer Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika on a journey through post-war Germany at the dawn of the Cold War.

The festival will additionally screen Cold War, the director’s Oscar-nominated feature that earned him his first Best Director Award at Cannes. Joining the event is Joanna Kulig, whose acclaimed performance in Cold War brought her international recognition. During a Film Talks session moderated by Pawlikowski, the actress will reflect on their longstanding collaboration and on her international acting career.

Pawlikowski will also participate in the festival’s Film Talks programme, where he will discuss the new movie in conversation with Ruben Östlund, the two-time Palme d’Or-winning director behind Triangle of Sadness and The Square.

Östlund will present a programme of short films including Autobiographical Scene Number 6882 and his Golden Bear winner Incident by a Bank, as well as the documentary Death of a Fantastic Machine. He will also discuss his upcoming feature The Entertainment System Is Down, currently in post-production, and starring Keanu Reeves, Kirsten Dunst and Daniel Brühl (see the news). The conversation will be moderated by Serbian filmmaker Ognjen Glavonić.

A partner of the Sarajevo Film Festival, Slano Film Days is a film event that connects emerging regional filmmakers with renowned cinema professionals from around the world. The programme includes film talks, screenings and numerous informal gatherings. Through open dialogue among filmmakers, and the exchange of ideas and experiences, Slano Film Days aims to inspire participants to develop new projects and support their professional and personal growth, while also offering insight into the careers and achievements of some of today’s most successful filmmakers.