Skopje, 26 July 2024 (MIA) – Macedonian theater, film, and TV actor Vlado Jovanovski is this year's laureate for outstanding acting achievement in the art of film 'Meto Jovanovski,' which is being awarded for the first time within the frameworks of the third edition of the Mediterranean and Balkan Film Festival "Across the Lake."

President of the festival’s council, Mimi Gjorgoska Ilievska, at a press conference on Friday said that the award given is in honor of a veteran of film acting in Macedonia, and the goal is to make a significant step for both Macedonian, European and Mediterranean cinematography.

"Meto Jovanovski's films are an important part of the Cinematheque where his works are stored and will remain available for generations to come. Every time we watch a film with Meto Jovanovski we will remember him," Gjorgoska Ilievska said.

She stressed that the first laureate, Vlado Jovanovski, is also another outstanding, exceptional, and notable Macedonian film actor, who has played a number of significant roles in Macedonian cinema, and just like Meto Jovanovski, contributes to the rich history of Macedonian cinema.

"Vlado Jovanovski is easily recognizable on screen. Not that his theatre roles are less important, but we are here in honor of film and film art, and when discussing acting it is important to mention the importance these notable actors," added Gjorgoska Ilievska.

Festival Director, Jani Bojadzi, presented the festival program and said that five feature films have been selected for the official competition, of which four are feature films and one is a documentary. The films will be published on the festival's website tomorrow.

The Serbian film "Russian Consul" will officially open the festival. It is an intriguing political drama set in the late 70s and early 80s in Kosovo, former Yugoslavia, with social and political clashes, but what makes the film special is that it is the last movie to feature Meto Jovanovski in the role of a Macedonian priest.

“There is a very powerful scene in which Meto Jovanovski says a prayer in Macedonian. During the first night we will get to see exceptional acting performances by Macedonian actors. This is the official program, and last year we entered into what's called ‘the professional program,’ with segments relevant to professionals. We also have workshops.” Bojadzi said.

He also presented the graduate student fund for directing, cinematography, and production from all film universities in the country.

"The fund in in the amount of EUR 50.000. We are awarding three grants of Mden 1 million (EUR 16226) for a student feature or documentary film. Future graduates who win at the festival workshops will get to create their own films, using cutting-edge technology and resources, on a world-class level. They will be given 12 months to complete their films, and we will make sure that the three films that received grants have their world premieres at the Across the Lake Festival next year. We will allow them to apply to all the festivals in the world so that they can present themselves and us in a good light,” Bojadzi stressed.

In honor of Meto Jovanovski, a monumental mural was presented today in front of the Cinemateque.

"To stand in front of this mural, in front of Meto Jovanovski, is an honor and a responsibility, because in all honesty, we are lucky to have lived with the greatest actor in the history of Macedonian cinematography," Bojadzi stressed.ssh/ad/

Photo: MIA