Is it barbaric to create art on the eve of war? Optimistic philosophers who still believe in hope would say that the fools who stare war in the eye will save the world — not because they are fearless, but because they believe that art and beauty can stop the terrible night after twilight from ever coming.
By honoring those who make films - placing them on a stage before the silver screen where fragments of past and future flicker - we hold onto the belief that art can resist the world’s chaos. When reality offers no comfort, film becomes a path to the heart, where reason still endures. In times of existential uncertainty, filmmakers continue to imagine essentially more beautiful worlds. And since cinema is made to be seen and felt, the role of the audience is to watch, to be moved - or, in times like these, to be saved.
We proudly present the 9th edition of Drim Short Film Festival, taking place in Struga from August 7-10. Join us for four days of inspiring short films, because only one thing’s left: - 'No escape, only cinema'.
And when there’s nowhere left to run, this year at Drim Short Film Festival the audience will have a unique opportunity to engage in conversation about cinema with two truly remarkable names from the world of film. Drim Short 2025 will be a rare chance to meet one of the most important cinematographers in contemporary cinema, Florian Hoffmeister, and the iconic figure of Macedonian and Balkan cinema, Nikola Ristanovski, who will hold a masterclass.
The festival will unfold over four festival days, featuring five competition programs: International, Regional, National, Student, and a Special Program titled 'Dealing with the Past', organized in collaboration with Pro Peace North Macedonia. This year’s jury brings together a distinguished group of film professionals: Jelena Jovanova, actress; Nikola Ristanovski, actor; Guido Casale, director; and Branko Stavreski, editor and producer. The non-competitive, curated program will include a Dutch Film Night, presenting a selection of films in cooperation with the Go Short Festival, as well as an Environmental Film Program in collaboration with Eco Svest and a selection of short films.
Music OFF Program celebrates the Macedonian electronic scene. The film evenings will continue late into the night with DJ sets by Andrea Salpe and Andrej Micajkov.
This year’s edition of the Drim Short Film Festival is made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners and sponsors: Pro Peace North Macedonia, the Film Agency of North Macedonia, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Skopje, EU House Struga, Trim & Lum, the Municipality of Struga, Hotel Drim, Inter Optik, Cultural Center 'Brothers Miladinovci' Struga, AKVA Struga, Meze Bar Kingston, Meze Bar Barabar, and Café Bar Dukjan. The official media partners of the festival are TRN MK, FILM+ and Play Radio.
