President Stevo Pendarovski, tonight, in the Patio of the NI Institute and Museum Bitola, attended and addressed the 41st edition of the film camera festival “Manaki Brothers”.
Continuing the traditional patronage of this important event, President Pendarovski said that it is good that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, “Manaki Brothers” is held this year in shortened and modified form.
Please find below the full text of the address of President Pendarovski.
Dear lovers of the magic of motion pictures,
Dear organizers of the “Manaki Brothers” Festival,
Dear laureates,
Let me greet you as patron of the first and among hundreds of film festivals, one of only a few in the world that focuses on the cinematographers, the “Manaki Brothers” Film Camera Festival. It is one of the most important cultural events in our country, an event in which a rich history is woven, a lot of enthusiasm and love for film art. Thanks to this Festival, Bitola and our country are recognized in the world of the seventh art.
Unfortunately, this year there is no red carpet and the recognizable glamour in front of the Cultural Center in Bitola; there are no film screenings and a full cinema hall; there are no dear guests from the world of film. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed all the plans and planned program for the 41st edition of “Manaki Brothers”. However, the tradition continues, even in shortened and modified form, the Festival still lives on. This year we award the “Golden Camera 300” for lifetime achievement to the Polish-American cinematographer, the laureate Janusz Sigmund Kaminski. The award “Big Star of the Macedonian film” will also be awarded, and the winner is the director and screenwriter Stole Popov.
I want to congratulate the winners and wish them many more film projects. On this occasion, I would like to express my conviction that all the helpers of the Festival, the central and local government, the business community, the filmmakers, are and will continue to be with the Festival.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The days spent in quarantine, in isolation, in our homes during curfews, reminded us of the importance of motion pictures in our lives. They were one of the basic preoccupations and opportunity for a quality time. Whether in front of television screens or in front of computers, movies gave serenity and meaning to our completely changed everyday life. It was the days of the pandemic that showed us how important art is and, in particular, what the power and the role of the film are. Of course, the experience of watching a movie on the big screen is irreplaceable and I believe that with the normalization of the situation, again, with increased enthusiasm and curiosity, we will return to the cinemas.
I wish you good health and prosperous work and see you next year in normal circumstances at the 42nd edition of “Manaki Brothers”.
Thank you.
