Bitola has once again welcomed top cinematographers and their exceptional creative works. Every
return to Bitola is not merely a return to tradition, but a return to a thread that continues unbroken
from this very place. Tonight’s ceremony opened with a musical performance conducted by Dzijan Emin
and an act by BitVox.
“More than a hundred years ago, when the camera first appeared, the desire to capture life was
born—all with a single goal: to preserve memories. To this day, that desire compels us to film what lies
before us, driven by love and the sharing of emotion. Tonight, all of you here are directly participating in
building, preserving, and nurturing this tradition, this festival where we weave love and weave
something beautiful that makes us all proud. We weave films and we weave a unique festival. We will
never stop weaving beautiful things. Long live our ‘Manaki Brothers’ festival,” said festival director
Dimitrija Doksevski as he welcomed the attendees.
Marija Dimitrova, President of the Macedonian Film Professionals Association (DFRM), presented the
“Big Star of Macedonian Film” award to this year’s laureate, actor Petar Arsovski.
“The Film Professionals Association remains a cornerstone of Macedonian cinema and an integral part of
its creation and promotion. Proof of this is that a Macedonian film will be screened at the opening, and
another Macedonian film will be shown at the festival’s closing—with both films directed by members of
DFRM. The fact that the ‘Manaki Brothers’ festival brings the crème de la crème of cinematography here
in Bitola allows us—film professionals—to meet and socialize directly with world-class
cinematographers,” Dimitrova underline, and thanked the Film Agency, the Municipality of Bitola, and
everyone else helping to make Macedonian films a reality.
Arsovski pointed out that this is a recognition from the people alongside whom he has “battled” in front
of the film camera for over 50 years, having weathered all kinds of challenges together.
“I thank the DFRM for the award, and I thank everyone who has stuck with me for 55 years to build
Macedonian cinema,” said Arsovski.
Janusz Kamiński, the 2020 recipient of the Golden Camera 300 for Lifetime Achievement, arrived in
Bitola this year—six years later—and greeted the audience in the Cultural Centre this evening.
“This award is already at home with the rest of the awards I’ve received. It is a beautiful piece of
craftsmanship; I am very happy, and I thank you, wonderful people,” said Kamiński, noting that he
particularly enjoyed the musical performance at the start of the ceremony.
Director Doksevski conveyed a statement from Blagoja Kunovski-Dore—who was the director of the
“Manaki Brothers” ICFF when Kaminski received the Golden Camera 300 for Lifetime
Achievement—noting that Kaminski’s appearance on stage today marks the culmination of his entry into
the pantheon of “Manaki Brothers” greats.
This year, Jeff Cronenweth is the recipient of the Special Golden Camera 300 Award for outstanding
contribution to world cinema.
“The ‘Manaki Brothers’ festival holds a special place in the film world because it celebrates the work of
cinematographers, the people behind the camera. It showcases the work of the next generation of
cinematographers. Young cinematographers need a festival like this—a place to make contacts, build
friendships, and exchange experiences. When I was young, I learned from my older colleagues by
watching their films; I hope that now I am giving back by helping younger colleagues. The ‘Manaki
Brothers’ festival keeps this tradition alive and connects generations at a time when technology is
changing the way we work,” Cronenweth said, expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome.
The award was presented to Cronenweth by the Mayor of Bitola, Toni Konjanovski.
“The ‘Manaki Brothers’ festival is not merely a cultural event in Bitola with an international character. It
is part of our identity, tradition, heritage, and a living testament to the first cinematographers in the
Balkans, who began weaving the region’s film history with their footage.
“As the Mayor of Bitola—and, above all, as a Bitola local—I am especially proud that our town hosts a
festival that has been building cultural bridges for nearly five decades, connecting filmmakers from
across the globe and carrying Bitola’s name beyond our country’s borders,” said Konjanovski.
Dan Laustsen is the recipient of the Special Golden Camera 300 for Lifetime Achievement.
“I bought my first camera in 1969; I have spent my entire life traveling the world since then, and I
believe that the art we create through filmmaking truly deserves respect,” said Laustsen.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the laureate by President Gordana Siljanovska-
Davkova.
“‘Manaki Brothers’ has long since ceased to be merely a festival; it is a cultural institution with
recognized international standing, a proven cultural identity, and a lasting spiritual and emotional bridge
connecting Macedonian and Balkan cinema with the global one,” stated President Gordana Siljanovska-
Davkova as she declared the festival open.
As the patron of the “Manaki Brothers” ICFF, Siljanovska Davkova expressed pride that two Macedonian
films are included in this year’s official competition; she also presented the “Golden Camera 300”
Lifetime Achievement Award to Dan Laustsen.
“We should be proud that two Macedonian films—which will open and close the 47th edition of the
‘Manaki Brothers’ ICFF—are among the 12 films in competition. I see this as both a mark of recognition
and a boost for Macedonian cinema. At this edition of the ‘Manaki Brothers’ ICFF, we will once again
affirm our commitment to art, culture, and creativity as sublime forms of human spiritual freedom; in
fact, ‘Manaki Brothers’ has long since ceased to be merely a festival—it is a cultural institution with
recognized international standing, a proven cultural identity, and a long-standing spiritual and emotional bridge connecting Macedonian and Balkan cinema with the global stage,” President Siljanovska Davkova
noted, among other things.
Eighty four films will be screened over the coming days and Bitola will welcome 1,000 filmmakers,
professionals, and guests from around the world.
At tonight’s ceremony, the “Sumolight” award—presented to a cinematographer and gaffer team—was
awarded. This year’s recipients are Michael Snyman and Mihalache Florin.
“If someone told me that I would one day stand on this stage and receive this award, I would have said
they were joking. Thank you, ‘Manaki Brothers’; thank you, ‘Sumolight’; thank you, Michael Snyman,”
said Florin, expressing his gratitude for the recognition. Snyman said he was grateful and proud to stand on stage with Florin tonight and thanked the “Manaki Brothers” festival for honouring such a partnership.