FEST, Serbia’s oldest and biggest film festival, has a new program director – Miroslav Mogorović, a man with over 30 years of experience in organizing film festivals. But is this the start of a new glory or just another empty promise? Mogorović promises to bring FEST back to the Sava Center, revive the old audience, and offer a richer program with more current films and higher quality guests. However, FEST has been in decline for years, with shrinking audiences and a weakening reputation. Will this veteran of the film scene manage to bring the festival back to its former glory, or will it end up as just another failed attempt?
Miroslav Mogorović is known for his work at the Palić Film Festival, where he successfully elevated the event, but FEST is a different story – a festival with decades of tradition and high expectations. The new program director announces that FEST will be held in autumn, with new dates and a program already in preparation. But is changing the dates and returning to the Sava Center enough to attract the audience that has turned its back on the festival for years?
FEST used to be the place where the most important world films were shown, where the greatest filmmakers came, and where the audience enjoyed a top-notch cinematic experience. Today, the festival struggles with funding issues, lack of audience, and competition from other festivals and streaming platforms. Mogorović is aware of the challenges and claims that FEST will be repositioned not only geographically but also in essence, aiming to revive domestic and regional cinematography.
Will this plan succeed? Mogorović has an impressive resume – he has produced over 35 feature films that have won awards at Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and other prestigious festivals. He is also the founder and director of the Dead Lake horror festival and other film events. His experience is undeniable, but the question remains whether it is enough to bring FEST back to the top.
Meanwhile, the audience and film community eagerly await details of the new program and festival dates. If FEST fails to regain continuity and audience, the consequences could be catastrophic for Serbia’s most important film event.
If you’re tired of empty promises and want to see a FEST that truly deserves its place on the world festival map, maybe it’s time to loudly ask yourself – is Miroslav Mogorović the right person for this challenge, or just another figure in a game without a real solution? Share your thoughts, because FEST is not just a festival, it’s part of our cultural soul. Who knows, maybe your critique or support will be the key to its fate!
