Kustendorf | Tourist Calendar of Serbia

Kustendorf is an international film and music festival that has been held every winter since 2008 in Mokra Gora, bringing together the biggest names in world cinema.

The festival is organized by the production company Rasta International, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia. Its founder, director, and curator is Emir Kusturica, a director and two-time winner of the Palme d'Or.

Initially, the festival lasted more than a week, but in recent years, it has settled into a six-day program. The venue is the authentic and intimate setting of the irreplaceable Drvengrad in Mokra Gora, or the hill of Mećavnik. The festival traditionally takes place in the second half of January when accessing Drvengrad through snowy winding roads becomes a real challenge, as indicated by the name of this elevated location.

The goal of the Kustendorf festival is to provide young filmmakers with an opportunity to showcase their works. Therefore, an integral part of the program is the competition for young authors from around the world. The competition includes short feature films, animated films, documentaries, and experimental films.

A part of the event is dedicated to contemporary trends in cinematography, so the program always includes films made during the previous year. Special attention is given to cinematic masterpieces of the past through retrospectives and a tribute to the giants of the film art.

This festival also attracts renowned global stars of the film industry. Each year, the festival welcomes special guests, some of the biggest Hollywood stars to date, such as Johnny Depp, Jim Jarmusch, Monica Bellucci, and others.

Over the course of several days, dozens of films are screened at the festival. In addition to participants from various countries, the jury is also international, and besides the film competition, an award is given for photography. Each evening, after the film screenings, there are relaxing moments accompanied by various musical performances.

In addition to the quality and diverse artistic program and the presence of renowned names without which no edition of the festival can pass, the location itself where it takes place plays a significant role in the popularity of Kustendorf. The authenticity of Drvengrad and the forested ambiance on the slopes of Tara, in the relative vicinity of Zlatibor, particularly captivate foreign guests, who remain in awe of the beauty of Western Serbia's landscapes.

Besides promoting Serbian film achievements and tourist attractions, an important part of the festival is the promotion of domestic products and cuisine, as well as traditional Serbian hospitality. Drvengrad has everything necessary for a complete experience. There are cinemas, guest rooms, as well as restaurants and markets that are hard to resist. All of this is complemented by the view of the slopes of Tara. This tourist town is unique in Serbia and forms a perfect combination with a festival of this kind.

The 16th edition of Kustendorf will take place from January 25th to 19th.

For all the details about the festival, you can find information on the official website of Kustendorf, which allows you to browse through all the programs and awards presented so far.