The Grand Golden Arenas for Best Film at the 73rd Pula Film Festival were awarded to Koke, directed by Igor Jelinović. This decision was made by the jury of this year's Croatian Programme. The awards ceremony was held on Wednesday at the Istrian National Theatre.
According to the jury’s statement, the film received the award for its convincing portrayal of the Mediterranean milieu, its expressive theatricality, compelling family drama and skilfully crafted humour, as well as its exceptionally powerful performances, which give the film its distinctive emotional strength.
Srđan Kovačević received the Golden Arenas for Best Director for Ono što treba činiti, while Igor Jelinović received the award for Best Screenplay for Koke. Ivan Kelava and Marko Jocić received the award for Best Production for Svadba. Snježana Sinovčić-Šiškov won the Golden Arenas for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Tonina in Koke, while Dado Ćosić received the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Lovro in Lijepa Večer, Lijep Dan.
Jana Plećaš won the Golden Arenas for Best Cinematography for *Bog neće pomoći*. Klara Šovagović and Damir Čučić won the award for Best Editing for Ono Što Treba Činiti, and the Golden Arenas for Best Music and Best Sound went to Stavros Evangelou, Iris Asimakopoulou and Vasilis Chontos for Bog Neće Pomoći.
Aleksandra Janković won the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Tajana in Koke, and Roko Sikavica won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Budimir in Svadba.
The Golden Arenas for Best Casting were awarded to Svadba for bringing together acclaimed actors and young talents in a harmonious ensemble performance from which the film’s humour and vitality naturally emerge. Stefan Katunar received the Golden Arenas for Best Production Design for Glavonja.
Zorana Meić won the award for Best Costume Design for Glavonja, while Ana Bulajić Črček and Goran Ignjatovski won the award for Best Make-up for Lijepa Večer, Lijep Dan. Olivier Voisin won the award for Best Sound Design for Sitni lopovi. Vanda Raymanová, Michal Struss, Krsto Jaram, Ivana Šebestová, Peter Budinský, Marek Ježo and Tomáš Danay received the Golden Arenas for Best Visual Effects for their work on Glavonja.
The Special Golden Arenas were awarded to Arsen Anton Ostojić for the animated film Kristalni planet, for an outstanding contribution to Croatian animation through a feature-length animated film — a rare creative and production achievement that brings Dušan Vukotić’s vision to life — and to Linda Begonja for her portrayal of Marija in Svadba, for her distinctive humour, compelling portrayal of a strong and authentic female character, and exceptional ability to unite and enrich a diverse ensemble through her original performance.
The Special Golden Arenas for Outstanding Contribution to an Acting Ensemble were awarded to Linda Begonja for her portrayal of Marija in Svadba, in recognition of her distinctive humour, compelling portrayal of a strong and authentic female character, and exceptional ability to unite and enrich a diverse ensemble through her original performance.
Ana Marija Veselčić received the Breza Award for Best Debut Performance for her portrayal of Milena in Bog neće pomoći.
In the Minority Co-Productions Competition, the Grand Golden Arenas for Best Film and Best Director were awarded to Vjetre, govori sa menoj. Miša Terzić received the Golden Arenas for Best Director and Best Screenplay for Tri tjedna kasnije.
Vučić Perović received the Golden Arenas for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Dejan in Oče naš. Marko Brdar received the Golden Arenas for Best Cinematography for Vjetre, govori sa menoj, and Marko Ferković received the Golden Arenas for Best Editing for Tri tjedna kasnije.
