The 15th edition of the Montenegrin Human Rights Film Festival FAST FORWARD opened last night on International Human Rights Day at the KIC “Budo Tomović” in Podgorica, organized by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE). The opening featured an award ceremony celebrating human rights and civic activism, followed by the screening of the film “Novi Sad Remembrance”, directed by Aleksandar Reljić.
“Tonight, we mark 15 years of perseverance, vigilance, principled action, sobriety, activism, and dedicated work to draw attention to what often remains ‘beneath the surface’,” said Daliborka Uljarević, Executive Director of the CCE. She explained that the motto of this year’s Festival calls for confronting stories that are not immediately visible and neglected voices that cry out for rights and justice. “It is particularly important to dive beneath the surface in Montenegro – a country that struggles with the challenges of ongoing transition towards a democratic society, with fragile institutions and individuals easily intoxicated by power, where political upheavals and susceptibility to malignant foreign influences pose serious threats to its civic concept. Beneath the semblance of stability and the accelerated path toward the EU, there are layers of injustice, selectivity, corruption, and systemic weaknesses that jeopardize both the rights of individuals and the sustainability of our community. That is why it is essential to adhere to principles, fight for values, and demand accountability, even when it requires responsible, difficult, and unpopular decisions,” she emphasized.
“This kind of cultural event reminds us of the importance of human dignity and encourages us to actively advocate for a better society,” said the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, in his speech opening 15th FAST FORWARD Film Festival. He also pointed out some of the problems in our daily lives. “We must continue the fight for human rights until we reach a point where we can confidently say that children in our schools are protected from violence, discrimination, and all kinds of injustice. When our mothers, wives, and daughters can trust healthcare institutions during the most important moments of their lives, knowing they will receive professional and dignified care. When our doctors and medical staff are free to perform their noble calling without physical attacks and threats, and journalists can search for the truth without fear or pressure. When every citizen believes their voice will be heard and their call for help recognized. Only then can we say that we have built a community where human rights are not unattainable, but an integral part of every one of us. Change will not come easily, but it is essential that we start today,” Milatović concluded.
“When a festival lasts 15 years and still manages to fill the halls in the Balkans, you’ve achieved real success. Congratulations to CCE, and continue this very important work,” said Johan Satler, Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro, during the opening of FAST FORWARD Film Festival. He emphasized that the EU is not only an economic union but also focuses on living standards and, above all, represents a peace project at the heart of which are human rights. “It is important to defend all human rights that are currently being violated in many war conflicts, and we must not close our eyes to them. The battle for human rights is fought on many fronts – from enacting better legislation to supporting organizations dealing with these issues, using our geopolitical influence. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, and we place human rights at the core of the EU enlargement process for every future member state,” Satler said. “We also use art, as films have the power to cross borders, speak to hearts, and inspire action. And that is what we are celebrating here tonight,” he concluded.
This year’s awards for the promotion of human rights and civic activism were presented to Ljiljana Raičević, a long-time activist for human and women’s rights, in the individual category, and NGO Women of Bar in the category of organizations.
“Thank you for recognizing the importance of my grandmother’s work and for reminding us that her efforts are not forgotten, even though she is no longer as active in society. This award means a lot – not just to her, but to all of us who are aware of what she has accomplished. And now, I want to say to my grandmother – thank you for having the courage to fight for our rights, even when our society was not ready for it. Thank you for showing us what it means to be persistent, brave, and always on the side of justice. We are incredibly proud of everything you have achieved, but most of all for being the same fighter we all know. And so, on your behalf and on ours, I say – we continue forward, and we’ll see you on Friday in front of the Gymnasium!” said her granddaughter Hana Raičević, who, together with the family, accepted the award on behalf of Ljiljana Raičević.
“Women of Bar are dreamers of a better life for every person in need, no matter who they are. For almost seven years, we have been creating a golden circle of empathy around the city of Bar. We are the women who dress, feed, prepare for school, help with medical care, build houses, accept newborns, and send off the forgotten and abandoned to eternal rest in a better and happier world,” said Ljiljana Vujović, addressing the audience on behalf of NGO Women of Bar. She recalled that from the kitchen of these women, 330,000 hot meals were distributed, 10,000 masks were sewn and distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and six residential buildings were built or purchased, providing many children with their first sleep in a better life under a warm roof. “We strive and will continue to strive to preserve dignity and protect the rights of the helpless. These are the people to whom we dedicate this award tonight, and it is a symbol that we are on the right path, and we are not alone on this path – you are with us,” she said, on behalf of the organization’s members who were also present – Marija Radović, Bogdana Dašić, Snežana Kićović, Sonja Ličina, Ranka Kavaja, Jovana Marđokić, Nadežda Karsaeve, Aleksandra Gvozdenović Kosović, and Marija Vujačić.
After the screening of the film, the director of “Novi Sad Remembrance”, Aleksandar Reljić, addressed the audience. “Novi Sad Remembrance” is a film about the horrific crime from 1942, known as the Novi Sad Raid, but it speaks about the universal suffering of civilians, facing up to it, and the current ruthless political attitude of the ruling elites toward it, as they are willing to trample on the victims in pursuit of cheap political alliances and points. This is another film about the culture of remembrance, but also about historical revisionism to which we are exposed,” said Reljić.
As in previous years, the Festival will have parallel editions in Berane (December 11-12 at the Panto Mališić Gymnasium and Cultural Center) and Kotor (December 12-13 at Boka Cinema and Njegoš Elementary School). Further details are available at www.ubrzaj.me.
This year’s edition is financially supported by the EU Delegation to Montenegro, the Ministry of Public Administration and the Municipality of Kotor, with additional support from KIC “Budo Tomović,” the Montenegrin Cinematheque, JU KC “Nikola Đurković,” and the Cultural Center of Berane. FAST FORWARD’s partners include BELDOCS, Sarajevo Film Festival, and the Human Rights Film Network. Corporate sponsors include Hotel Cue, PG Taxi, Compania De Vinos Montenegro, and Metropolis. Media partners are RTCG, Nova M, Gradska TV, Gradski Radio, Gradski.me, Prva TV, E TV, Antena M, Pobjeda, CdM, Analitika, Radio Kotor, Radio Berane, Radio Tivat, Radio Titograd, and stations Elmag, El, Mag, and Arena.
This year, the festival, as in previous years, in addition to Podgorica, will also have parallel editions in Berane – on December 11th and 12th at the Gymnasium Panto Mališić and the Center for Culture, as well as in Kotor, at the Boka cinema and Njegoš primary school – on December 12th and 13th. All festival information is available on the website www.ubrzaj.me.
Maja Marinović, Program Associate