Belgrade Documentary and Short Film Festival originates from The Festival of Yugoslav Film, founded in 1953 in Pula, Croatia (back then Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, SFRY). The festival screened both fiction films and documentaries.
Year by year, documentaries and short films were more and more numerous (number in the year 1959 increasing to 92 films). However, compared to the feature films, which were put in the centre of the festival’s programme, documentaries were still an off programme. In the year 1959, the board made the decision to create another festival devoted exclusively to documentary and short films. The Yugoslav Documentary and Short Film Festival was started in Belgrade, Serbia.
During its long history the festival had its ups and downs. The first turning point happened during the late 1970s when the films from abroad were cut off, number of guests was reduced as well as the number (and the quality) of special programmes, all as a result of lack of funds.
One of the most appreciated editions of the festival was the one in 1999. Even though Belgrade was being bombed the festival was not cancelled. It took place from 14 to 19 April, 1999 and it was relocated from Dom Sindikata Cinema to the more secure screen of Dom omladine.
Soon after, the festival celebrated its 50th edition (2003). It has been international since 2004 – with International and National Competition as the two major selections.
The festival includes a number of side events, film screenings and cultural happenings.
Four festival diplomas for an individual contribution to film, all in the national competition:
• The Best Camera, awarded to the best cameraman;
• The Best Animation, awarded to the best animator;
• The Best Editing, awarded to the best editor; and
• The Best Music or Sound Design, awarded to the best composer or author of the sound design.
The festival awards include the traditional Grand Prix statuette, the Golden Plaques and the Medals of Belgrade, the festival diplomas as well as the financial awards. The main award is the Grand Prix with amount of EUR 3, 000, given to the director of the best film of all the competitive categories. The total festival’s award fund is EUR 15, 000.
In addition, awards of other organizations can also be given (in consent with the Council of the Festival) —awards of the sponsoring companies, media awards, awards of foundations or associations, audience award. I this case the award donor shall establish a separate jury.
The Festival also gives the Live Achievement Award, which can be given post mortal. It is the Council of the Festival that decides on this award.
Festival Awards
The international jury decides on the following awards:
• Grand prix - to the director of the film of an exceptional artistic value from both national and international competition
• The Golden Plaque of Belgrade - to the director of the best film in the national competition programme
• The Golden Plaque of Belgrade - to the director of the best film of the international competition programme
• The Golden Medals of Belgrade (4), to the directors of the best films in each of the national competitive programmes (documentary, short fiction, animated, experimental)
• The Golden Medals of Belgrade (2), one to the director of the best international documentary and one to the director of the best film from the remaining international competitive programmes (animated, short fiction, experimental)
• The Golden Medal of Belgrade - to the Serbian film producer for best production of a group of films