There are several reasons to give life to a festival, but I would like to limit myself in some of them;

First of all, took keep alive a 50 years old heritage in the Albanian cinematography. The history of the Albanian cinematography is relatively young and in its 60 years of life experienced such artistic zeniths to deserve the respect of the coming generations. During the so-called social realism several movies overcame the limits of propaganda constituting the basis of a new national culture. Considering its complex nature, the Albanian cinematography integrated the best country achievements in literature, visual arts and other spiritual creations offering a consistent form of the historical, political, artistic and cultural national recognition.

The second reason to give life to the festival is the desire to bring the Albanian youth closer to the world of cinematography. Albania belongs to the group of countries with a high percentage of young population. One of the missions of Tirana Film Festival is to bring the Albanian young people closer to the cinematography and the best Albanian and worldwide achievements. It is an obligation of the young generation took keep this little flame alive and to pay respect to the memory of the heritage of the cinematography.

To put Albania under the scene lights even for a week, this would be a major challenge, a supreme mission on itself for the organization of Tirana International Film Festival. Our country victimized by the most spectacular forms of emigration, judged by superficial, manipulated and manipulative media, isolated in the most infamous and undignified way by the ones that reject us (the ones we love), this country organizes one of the best festivals dedicated to the short film. Being aware of the importance of a short film festival organized in one of the smallest countries in the world, a short film festival that through difficulties is trying to find its way towards the new Millennium it is an unquestionable testimony of noble human, spiritual dimensions, that at the same time show real dedication and professionalism to the seventh art.The presence of idols of cinematography in our festival has an incredible effect and not a decorative one compared to the big festivals where the dimensions of show kill the human dimensions, where everybody is felt used walking over the red carpet, a product of consumption for the media hungry for VIP gossip, where so less is spoken on cinematography an art.

It is a pleasure to notice that somebody loves us, respects us and wants to be integrated with us. There are hundreds of authors from dozens of countries all around the would that submit their movies to Tirana International Film Festival, there are a lot of personalities that with generosity allow us to closely touch dimensions we dream long time ago.

It is very important for us to be loved, because we do love, it is very important for us to be respected, because we do respect, we want to be integrated because this is one of the things we do better. The festivals are the perfect arena where all I mentioned above can happen, we want to happen.

Ilir ButkaFestival Director

http://www.tiranafilmfest.com