By Roy Lie Atjam
The Embassy of Kosovo in The Hague hosted a screening of two films at the Eastern Neighbours Film Festival 2025, inviting several guests to attend. Indeed, Kosovar cinema is certainly on the rise. This year’s program featured two Kosovar films, providing a valuable opportunity to showcase the creativity, resilience, and evolving narratives of Kosovo’s contemporary film scene.
Notably, one of the films, Phantom Youth, is not intended purely for entertainment; it encourages viewers to reflect deeply. The film is historical, educational, illustrating the predicaments and resilience of Kosovo’s youth. While there were beers and cigarettes a go-go, there was no fighting, only an undeniable sense of solidarity. The performances by the actors were sublime. Venue, Filmhuis Den Haag. 8 Nov. 2025.
The film ‘117’, directed by the famous director Besim Sahatçiu, whose legacy was beautifully honoured through a video message from his granddaughter, the internationally-renowned singer Rita Ora, expressing pride in continuing his artistic path and celebrating Kosovo’s place in world cinema.
The cinematographic premiere also featured ‘Phantom Youth’ (Original title in Albanian language: Bota Jonë) by Luana Bajrami, a poetic portrayal of transformation and identity that reflects the fresh perspective of Kosovo’s new generation of filmmakers.
On Friday, 7 November, filmmaker and director of the Kosovo Cinematography Centre, Blerta Zeqiri, held an insightful talk titled “Kosovar Cinema on the Rise”. The talk highlighted Kosovo’s rich cinematic heritage and the evolution of its film industry through the years, navigating the challenges and achievements which contributed to fostering a vibrant cinematic culture in the region.
Following the screenings, the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in The Hague hosted a warm reception where guests were welcomed with traditional food from the region, drinks, and inspiring conversations that encouraged cultural exchange and new connections. The event was attended by distinguished members of the diplomatic community as well as Dutch and international film industry experts. The event beautifully reflected how Kosovo’s cinema continues to build bridges between heritage and modern vision.
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