The film “Vitić Dances” premieres in Cluj (April 2-6).

At the invitation of the selectors and coordinators of the 04th Urban Eye Film Festival in Cluj, Monica Sebestyen, Irina Florea, and Christine Jacot, we will present our feature-length documentary “Vitić Dances” in the competition selection on April 3rd. Since its premiere at ZGDOX 2023, the film has been presented in Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, India, Sweden, Ecuador, the United Kingdom, Malta, Turkey, Uruguay, Italy, Bolivia, Armenia, and Hungary.

The film was shot over nearly 20 years and edited for 5 years. It dynamically explores the relationship between architecture and society, using the example of the renovation of the multi-residential and commercial complex of the National Bank designed by architect Ivo Vitić in Zagreb. The building was renovated between 2016 and 2018 as part of the community art project “Vitić Dances” by Boris Bakal and the Shadow Casters, and represents the largest investment in residential renovation since World War II.

The film has received 7 prestigious awards so far: a Special Recognition at the Days of Croatian Film 2023, Special Recognition for the preservation of memory and cultural heritage at the 18th Balkan New Film Festival in Stockholm (Sweden), the Grand Prize for Best Documentary at the Asian Talent International Film Festival 2024 in Ahmednagar (India), Best Documentary Award at the festival in Ecuador (San Antonio), Best Film, Best Production, and Best Director Awards at the London festival, and Third Prize at the Film and Architecture Festival in Venice.

In addition to this festival, the film has been invited to festivals in Germany (Berlin Z/KU), Austria (Linz, Crossing Europe), France, and Croatia in 2025.