BUCHAREST: The 20th anniversary edition of the Bucharest International Film Festival (19 – 28 September 2024) will screen nine titles in its competition, including Bogdan Muresanu’s The New Year That Never Came, winner of the Orizzonti section at the 81st Venice FF, which will open the festival.

On Monday, 16 September, the shooting of the feature film Hotel Alcohol by the screenwriter and director Jan Cvitkovič began in Idrija. The film will be shot over 33 days – also in Ajdovščina and on the Italian side of Gorizia, in addition to Idrija.

From 17 to 27 October, inviting film lovers to become part of the biggest celebration of cinema in Latvia, the Riga International Film Festival (RIGA IFF) announces the full festival lineup – the first and often the only chance to see bold and current film adventures from Europe and the world on the big screen. Over the course of 11 days, RIGA IFF will delight the senses of filmgoers not only with dazzling new offerings from Hollywood and true gems awarded at prestigious film festivals, but also promising debuts of contemporary cinema, the newest works from acclaimed authors, and signature styles from renowned masters. From 17 September, tickets to all festival programme screenings, as well as ticket combos and festival pass are available on the festival’s website (rigaiff.lv), and at Biļešu Serviss sales points. Starting 14 October, tickets will also be available at the RIGA IFF information centre next to the festival’s main venue, cinema Splendid Palace.

The 19th Batumi International Art-house Film Festival will be held in Batumi during 27 September – 3 October. Batumi International Film Festival was established in 2006. Organizer of the film festival - Batumi Art-house  "Argani".

The tenth anniversary edition of Pustnik International Screenwriting Residency, focused on first-time filmmakers, begins today at Port Cultural Cetate, on the Danube bank.

VALLETTA: Mel Gibson has visited Malta following an invitation of the Malta Film Commission and met with Prime Minister Robert Abela and film commissioner Johann Grech.

LJUBLJANA: Sonja Prosenc’s third feature film Family Therapy has been selected as Slovenia’s candidate for the 97th Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award in the Best International Feature Film category. The film is a coproduction between Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, Norway and Serbia.

BELGRADE: Miroslav Lekić’s seventh feature Russian Consul has been selected as Serbia’s contender for the 97th Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award in the Best International Feature Film category.

BUDAPEST: The biopic Semmelweis, Lajos Koltai’s return to directing after over 15 years, has been selected as Hungary’s contender for the 97th Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award in the Best International Feature Film category.

TALLINN: The magical-realist tragedy 8 Views of Lake Biwa / Biwa järve 8 nägu by Marko Raat has been selected as Estonia’s candidate for the 97th Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award in the Best International Feature Film category.