Out of 104 selected films from 37 countries, this short film was chosen for the festival’s opening night as the strongest reflection of this year’s theme: coming of age, personal growth, love, friendship, and the questions that arise when stepping into the world of adulthood.
The audience in Split responded with genuine applause as the crew stepped on stage. After the screening, there were comments that the characters and the world the film presents left an impression as if they were part of a feature-length production—so vivid and present that they stayed with the viewers even after the final frame.
“A Joke” is one of the rare short films in the history of the festival to be invited to a Q&A session after the screening—a gesture that speaks to the deep resonance it had with the audience.
In attendance at the opening were director Trifun Sitnikovski and producers Goce Kralevski and Adrijana Prugovečki.
The film was received with warmth and attention, just as every small, sincere story hopes to be when it finds its place on the big screen.
