Zadar to Host the 18th Festival of Tolerance
The 18th Festival of Tolerance will run from 26 to 29 September 2024 at three Zadar venues – Two Palaces (the Providur’s and the Rector’s Palace) and the Croatian National Theatre in Zadar. An exciting lineup of films includes 28 features and shorts awarded and screened at prestigious world festivals.
In addition to film premieres, educational programs for children and young people will be offered, as well as inspiring and thought-provoking discussions known as Tolerance Talk after the films led by relevant experts. The 18th edition will see the comeback of the Festival Market, a platform that brings the film industry and the community together. This year’s edition introduces the novelty of voting for the Audience Award for best film at the festival.
The Opening Night Gala of the Festival will be held at the Croatian National Theatre in Zadar, inaugurated by Zadar Mayor Branko Dukić, MD.
“I am proud that the City of Zadar has become the long-term host location of the Festival of Tolerance, which has been promoting intercultural dialogue for the 18th year, through films, exhibitions and various educational contents, and fostering local community development through the prism of human rights.
These are the issues made topical by the Festival, which are part of our everyday lives, and I consider it particularly important for these topics to become of current interest among Zadar children and young people. The effect of extracurricular education for this age group is crucial, and I believe that this event will have a strong contribution to Zadar. For this event to take place, we have secured the newly restored premises of the representative historic architectural complex of Two Palaces, the Rector's and the Providur's Palace, and I am looking forward to witnessing a rich program. I would like to give a mention to a great friend of Zadar, the late Branko Lustig... Suffice it to recall his words here: through this festival we build a monument to tolerance, educating about the necessity of understanding the different, speak about love and strive for a better tomorrow!" - said Mayor Dukić.
Once again, this year’s film curated slate of films has been handpicked by Snježana Tribuson and Boško Picula with artistic advisor Dina Pokrajac.
"We hope to bring together film and art, as well as the mission of the Festival of Tolerance with the remarkable historical architecture of Zadar, which is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring foundations for our collective growth and development. I sincerely hope that the Festival of Tolerance will enrich the community and forge new alliances, just as Zadar and its people will enrich the Festival. We make use of art, especially film, to open up a dialogue and to find a common ground. We also learn from each other. " - the Festival of Tolerance Founder, Nataša Popović, stated.
The festival in Zadar is organized by the Jewish Film Festival Zagreb Association and the Alliance of Independent Culture Zadar (Kino Zona). As a representative of Zadar co-organizers, Andrej Fric made the following observation:
"We are genuinely thrilled and delighted to use four film days to transform Zadar into a hub for intercultural, interreligious and interethnic dialogue. This will dramatically increase awareness of the sadly still relevant subjects of refugees, peer violence, gender inequality, genocide and the dehumanization of the modern way of life. I am hoping that interacting with others, sharing stories, insights and testimonies will fill us with hope and optimism that a better world is achievable."
We invite the public to join us for all events, which are free of charge, starting with the Festival’s Opening Night Gala at the Croatian National Theatre and continuing with film screenings and presentations of other festivals as part of the Festival Market program at Two Palaces.
The Festival’s general sponsor is the City of Zadar, and the program is co-financed by the Croatian Audiovisual Center (HAVC), UNHCR Croatia, Zadar Tourist Board, Zadar County and other partners.