With the motto THROUGH THE FOG, Centre for Civic Education (CCE) is organizing the 14th Montenegrin Human Rights Film Festival FAST FORWARD 2023 in Podgorica, Kotor and Berane. The main programme of the FAST FORWARD 2023 Festival is from December 10 to 14 at the Cultural Information Centre “Budo Tomović” in Podgorica, and the accompanying editions at the “Boka” Cinema in Kotor from December 12 to 13 and at the Cultural Centre Berane from December 13 to December 14, 2023.
FAST FORWARD festival offers a unique overview of films of the latest production and exceptional quality, which address various aspects of human rights. These films also come with numerous nominations and awards from prestigious regional, European and international festivals, and they premiere in Montenegro. In addition to film screenings, FAST FORWARD Festival also has an accompanying programme through which, with members of film crews, some of the key issues in the field of human rights from individual film productions will be further actualized.
FAST FORWARD 2023 will be officially opened with the Montenegrin premiere of the feature-length documentary film Mamula All Inclusive, by author Aleksandar Reljić, on Sunday, 10 December 10 at 20h00, at CIC Budo Tomović, when our annual awards for the affirmation of human rights and civic activism will be also presented.
FAST FORWARD festival strives, through the medium of film, to affirm the universality of human rights and the importance of tolerance, communicating with a diverse audience, which further emphasizes its significance in the deeply divided Montenegrin society. That is why the films from the selection of the FAST FORWARD Festival are an important contribution to building a culture of human rights, they encourage critical thinking, encourage dialogue, engaging conversations and call for action.
The excellent response and reactions of the audience motivate us to continue constantly upgrading FAST FORWARD Festival. Our audience also accepts the challenge to get out of the comfort zone and open up to the new, different and reflective, connecting, even for a short time, with the powerful stories of different individuals and communities, and together with them, or alongside them, breaks through the fog in which are human rights.
The 14th FAST FORWARD festival was financially supported by the Ministry of Economic Development of Montenegro and the Municipality of Kotor, and support was also provided by the Municipality of Berane, CIC “Budo Tomović”, Cultural Centre “Nikola Đurković” and Centre for Culture Berane. FAST FORWARD partners again this year are BELDOCS, Sarajevo Film Festival and Human Rights Film Network. The commitment to social responsibility was also reflected in the business sector this year, so we highlight the sponsorships of Hotel Cue, Gostiona 1928, PG taxi and Compania De Vinos Montenegro.
As a sign of cultural excellence, the FAST FORWARD Festival continues its well-trodden path with the strong support of key media sponsors again this year, and those are: Nova M television, Gradska TV, Gradski radio and the gradski.me portal, Prva TV, E TV, Radio and the Antena portal M, daily newspaper Pobjeda, daily newspaper Dan, portal CdM, portal Analitika, Radio Berane and Radio Kotor. The significance of the FAST FORWARD Festival was also recognized by our new media partners – Adria TV and Play radio.
Admission to all screenings is free.
Milica ZINDOVIĆ, PR of the FAST FORWARD Festival 2023