"Kosovo is known more for conflict than culture, but at a film festival in the country's prettiest town, partying and arts mix to great effect."The Guardian ''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
Background
DokuFest was established as a volunteer-based organization with almost no funding at the beginning and continues to draw support from the community and agencies within Kosovo. However, its path has often been associated with major difficulties due to the unique context that organization operated in (such as the post-war situation, lack of similar referent events, lack of trust from institutions and potential donors etc.) It was run by volunteers until the introduction of full-time and part-time contracts came into place in 2008 and led to the employment of a small number of staff. The need for an organizational structure arose when the organization became involved in implementation of yearly-based projects, in addition to organizing the festival. This led to the establishment of a core team that took over the design, planning and implementation of many initiatives resulting in successful implementation of several projects. As well as organizing large-scale cultural events, DokuFest also concerns culture, education and activism for sound cultural policies and alternative education system in Kosovo. As of 2014 more than 18,000 visitors from across the world went to Prizren during DokuFest.The overall program
Various events happen within the scope of the festival: workshops, DokuPhoto exhibitions, festival camping and concerts. The festival that includes screening of films in seven improvised cinemas in the city of Prizren, photographic exhibition "DokuPhoto", Workshops, Master Classes and debates, amongst others. The festival's creative director is one of its founding members, Veton Nurkollari. *Film training initiative called "Human Rights Film Factory - Stories from Kosovo’s Margins" that includes series of workshops for filmmakers, production of six documentaries on Human Rights coupled with series of human rights debates throughout Kosovo. *Promotion of Human Rights and Democratic Values through Film that includes usage of human rights documentary films as educational tools and establishment of Kino Clubs in Highs Schools as well as Documentary film school guiding high school students from Kosovo throughout the process of transforming their film ideas into a finished documentary. *Travelling Cinema “Cinema at Your Door” aiming at documentary film screenings in rural areas of Prizren region coupled with discussions focusing on the difficulties that rural communities experience in their everyday life and the lack of the cultural activities in their surroundings. *Part of larger NGO network working actively on environmental related issues and promotion of renewables in Kosovo. *Active participation and contribution on national and regional networks, aimed at development of sound cultural policies and organization of debates with relevant stakeholders, both in Kosovo and the region.Cinema experience
The festival's roots lie at Prizren's oldest cinema Lumbardhi Cinema, where its first edition was held. DokuFest continues to hold a strong relationship with the cinema's parent NGO Lumbardhi Foundation as the host of its two primary venues, Lumbardhi Indoor (used during the day) and Lumbardhi Outdoor (used during the night, aka "Lumbardhi Bahçe"). DokuFest also uses its native cinema DokuKino (placed at the Europa Complex, next to the festival headquarters) with an indoor and outdoor silver screen (aka DokuKino Plato/Plateau). Multiple spots of cultural and historical significance across Prizren are used as makeshift venues. These include: * River Cinema (Kino Lum) is built on a platform directly over the Lumbardhi river. * Sonar Cinema is built on a platform just outside theDokuNights
DokuFest brings top international and local music acts to perform at DokuNights every year. DokuNights has become Kosovo's premiere music event featuring international and local singers, bands and DJs past performances have including acts such asDokuTech
Runs simultaneous to DokuFest and concentrates on technical innovation and creativity.DokuFest Productions
DokuFest was awarded theDokuKids
A program of films and workshops designed especially for young guests.Theme and slogan
Every year the festival is programmed and created around a theme that forges a unique annual identity.Awards
* Best National Competition * Best International Feature Documentary * Best International Short Documentary * Best International Shorts * Best Balkan Dox * Best Human Rights * Best Green * Audience Award * Best Procredit EKO Video In 2010 DokuFest was voted as one of the 25 best international documentary festivals.Winner
In 2014 DokuFest won Best Poster, and Best Festival Identity at the Jihlava International Documentary Film Festival for its poster and its immersive campaign, respectively, both designed byReferences
External links
{{Commons, DokuFest}