After yesterday’s meeting of the representatives of the Istrian County Civil Protection Department, Motovun Film Festival and Municipality of Motovun, the Civil Protection Department issued the following statement:

“Due to deterioration of the epidemiological situation caused by COVID-19 outbreak in Istrian County, we are of the view that Motovun Film Festival would be a high-risk event and we therefore propose that its 2020 edition be cancelled.”

Based on consultations with experts and keeping in mind the changing conditions in Croatia and the neighboring countries, we have realized that having numerous visitors in such a small area as the town of Motovun in the increasingly deteriorating epidemiological conditions, even with reduced programs and activities, would result in adverse effects.

“When we decided that the festival would take place, there were zero Covid-19 patients in Croatia and optimism was on the rise – but even back then we knew that we should be prepared for a trend reversal. We made this decision because of the responsibility that we feel for the people and visitors of Motovun and for more than a hundred members of the festival crew. Our responsible behavior is our contribution to the general cause,” said festival director Igor Mirković.

He added that the festival crew still want the films prepared for this year to reach their audiences. This will happen, only in a different way, adapted to the situation and outside the small Motovun community.

Buzz@teen, a program of children’s and youth films, will be taking place as scheduled – 23-26 July, in Buzet. We did not have to cancel it because the program’s format does not include any high-risk side events. For the same reason, screenings across Istrian County are also being prepared. The screenings in Zagreb’s Tuškanac Outdoor Theater (31 July – 3 August) and summer screenings along Adriatic coast and an extensive program in Zagreb’s Lauba venue (27 August – 6 September) were also announced. If necessary, parts of these programs could be presented online.

“Regularly consulting experts and keeping an eye on the changing epidemiological situation in the country, the festival crew is continually working on solutions to present the program in minimum-risk conditions. We have made this hard decision hoping that this year will be but a short break in our festival’s long life atop our enchanting Film Hill,” concluded Mirković.