Qendra Kinematografike e Kosoves

Over two days, Kosova Film Days in Lisbon brought together filmmakers, cultural professionals, diplomats, students, and audiences from Kosovo and Portugal around a shared exploration of contemporary cinema and cultural exchange.

The programme presented a selection of films that have helped shape Kosovo’s growing presence within European and international cinema, including Vera Dreams of the Sea by Kaltrina Krasniqi, Looking for Venera by Norika Sefa, The Beauty of the Donkey by Dea Gjinovci, Hive by Blerta Basholli, as well as the short films Prishtinë 2002 by Trëndelina Halili and SOS by Anita Morina.

The screenings were accompanied by a discussion on women’s voices in contemporary European cinema, the circulation of films across borders, and the emergence of women filmmakers within Kosovo cinema over the past decade.

One of the themes that emerged throughout the conversation was the relationship between local experience and international circulation. Many of the films presented in Lisbon are deeply rooted in specific places, languages, histories, and everyday realities. Yet they have also travelled widely and resonated with audiences far beyond Kosovo.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons cinema continues to matter. Films do not simply travel from one place to another; they create opportunities for encounter, allowing local experiences to enter into dialogue with wider audiences and become part of a shared European and global film culture.

Thank you to all our partners, guests, speakers, and audiences for contributing to these conversations and helping make the first edition of Kosova Film Days in Lisbon possible.

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Last Friday, the first edition of Kosova Film Days in Lisbon opened at the National Museum of Ethnology, bringing together filmmakers, cultural professionals, diplomats, and audiences from Portugal and Kosovo around a shared belief in the power of cinema to create dialogue across borders.

The evening opened with welcome remarks from Ambassador Edona Maloku Berdyna, Lum Çitaku, Director of Programs at the Kosovo Cinematography Center (QKK), Vítor Pinheiro on behalf of the Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual (ICA), and representatives of the National Museum of Ethnology.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Edona Maloku Berdyna reflected on the role of culture in bringing people closer together:

“Through film, Kosovo shares stories of resilience, identity, memory, and hope. Though rooted in specific places and experiences, these stories remind us of what connects us across cultures and societies.”

Lum Çitaku, Director of Programs at the Kosovo Cinematography Center, highlighted cinema’s capacity to create encounters and deepen understanding:

“We live in a time when we are constantly connected, yet often know very little about one another’s lives. Cinema allows us to encounter people, places, and experiences beyond our own, not only as stories to watch, but as opportunities to reflect, to attend to, and to better understand ourselves and one another.”

Representing ICA, Vítor Pinheiro emphasized the significance of cultural exchange between Portugal and Kosovo:

“Although Portugal and Kosovo may not yet have a long history of cinematic collaboration, cinema has a unique ability to bring people into conversation and build connections that can grow into lasting cultural exchange.”

Representing the National Museum of Ethnology, Gonçalo de Carvalho Amaro expressed his pleasure at hosting Kosova Film Days in Lisbon at the museum, welcomed all participants, and thanked the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Portugal and all partner institutions involved in bringing the event to life.

The evening continued with the screening of Vera Dreams of the Sea by Kaltrina Krasniqi, one of the most acclaimed contemporary films to emerge from Kosovo in recent years and part of a remarkable generation of women filmmakers whose work has helped shape Kosovo’s growing presence within European and international cinema.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this opening evening and contributed to the conversations, encounters, and exchanges that make cinema meaningful.

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For the very first time, Kosova’s cinematic spirit arrives in Portugal with “Kosova Film Days 2026” - a celebration of bold storytelling, artistic courage, and the rising voice of Kosovar cinema in Europe. 🇽🇰🎬🇵🇹

On 29 & 30 May 2026, the National Museum of Ethnology in Lisbon (Museu Nacional De Etnologia) will transform into a meeting point for , , and lovers, showcasing internationally acclaimed films and the new generation of creators shaping Kosova’s growing presence in global film culture.

Organized by the Kosovo Embassy Lisbon, in partnership with the Kosovo Cinematography Center - QKK (Qendra Kinematografike e Kosoves) and the Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual - ICA (ICA - O Nosso Ecrã), this landmark event builds a cultural bridge between Kosova and Portugal while amplifying Kosovar stories within the wider European cinematic landscape.

Kosovar cinema has become one of the most exciting emerging voices in Europe, earning recognition at the world’s biggest festivals including Sundance, Venice, Berlinale, and Cannes. From award-winning productions to daring new auteur voices, Kosova continues to prove that powerful stories know no borders.

This year’s international film conversation in Lisbon showcases a unique context of breakthroughs by women filmmakers and is further energized by the momentum of the latest Kosovar film “Dua” winning the SACD Award at Cannes Critics’ Week (Festival de Cannes), also won by woman director Blerta Basholli.

Kosova Film Days invites Lisbon audiences to discover films that challenge, inspire, and connect cultures through authentic storytelling — placing Kosova firmly among the vibrant contemporary voices of European cinema.

📍 National Museum of Ethnology – Lisbon
📅 29 & 30 May 2026
🎟 Open to the public | Free entry



Ambassador Dr. Edona Maloku Bërdyna
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora - Republic of Kosovo
Ministria e Kulturës dhe Turizmit
Ministério da Cultura de Portugal
MUTIM

Ministrja e Kulturës, Saranda Bogujevci, priti në takim ekipin e filmit “Dua”, pas suksesit të jashtëzakonshëm në Festivalin e Kanës, ku filmi u vlerësua me çmimin “SACD” në kuadër të “Semaine de la Critique”.

Në takim u përgëzua regjisorja Blerta Basholli dhe gjithë ekipi për këtë arritje të rëndësishme për kinemanë e Kosovës në arenën ndërkombëtare, ndërsa bashkë diskutuan për rrugëtimin e tyre dhe për filimin.

Ky sukses është një tjetër dëshmi të nivelit të lartë artistik të filmbërësve tanë dhe pranisë gjithnjë e më të fuqishme të kinemasë sonë në festivalet më prestigjioze botërore.

DUA FITON SACD AWARD NË EDICIONIN E 65-TË TË SEMAINE DE LA CRITIQUE NË CANNES 🏆

Jemi shumë të lumtur dhe krenarë që DUA, filmi nga Blerta Basholli, me producent Valon Bajgora dhe bashkë-skenariste Nicole Borgeat, është vlerësuar me SACD Award në edicionin e 65-të të Semaine de la Critique.

Ky është një moment shumë i veçantë për gjithë ekipin që ka punuar me përkushtim e dashuri në këtë film, dhe arritje e madhe për kinematografinë tonë. Urime të gjithë ekipit!

Vlera Bilalli actrice/actress de Dua en compétition Long métrage / Competition Feature Film ✨

📸 Aurélie Lamachère
Camera courtesy of Sony - Professional Europe

Pinea Matoshi actrice/actress de Dua en compétition Long métrage / Competition Feature Film ✨

📸 Aurélie Lamachère
Camera courtesy of Sony - Professional Europe