SlovenščinaIt’s hard to describe the full range of emotions that surfaced at the opening of the 4th International Sport Film Festival (ISFF), featuring documentaries and feature films, launched on June 18, 2025, at Ana’s Court in Rogaška Slatina. This wasn’t just a formal event to tick off so the festival could begin; no, it was a wave of occurrences that gradually grew, from the gathering of guests from all corners to their seating at carefully arranged tables. These arrangements were meaningful and connective, based on shared interests, common language, mutual ties, affection, friendship, or a mix of all, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Nine tables, nine microcosms, yet collectively a community of well-meaning individuals, each dedicated to their mission. Among them were seven of this year’s thirteen recipients of lifetime achievement awards. Awards for work connected to the essence of this festival: work in sport, culture, and philanthropy.
This year’s awards were presented to: Dr. Miroslav Cerar, our legendary Olympian; Ms. Milena Štular, President of the Botrstvo Supervisory Board; Mr. Sergio Tavčar, cross-border sports journalist and commentator; Mr. Rašo Nesterović, former basketball player and sports official; Mr. Tone Barič, father of the handball Eurofest; Ms. Mateja Pintar Pustovrh, Slovenian Paralympic table tennis player; Mr. Silvo Pečjak, director of Pečjak bakery and a great supporter of sports; and Mr. Ernest Jazbinšek, para-athlete, alpinist, and writer. Two recipients cancelled their attendance at the last minute due to health reasons: Mr. Mitja Rotovnik, legendary former director of Cankarjev Dom and enthusiastic promoter of sports, and Dejan Zavec, our most successful Slovenian professional boxer. Three more will receive their awards—Rogaška crystal and something beautiful from Afrodita—at the festival’s closing ceremony on Friday, June 20th. These are Mr. Matjaž Kek, successful coach of the Slovenian national football team; Mr. Matjaž Berger, director and founder of the Anton Podbevšek Theatre; and Goran Dragić, our successful national basketball player.
As an introduction to the opening, we were touched by a documentary film about volunteers gathered around the Softball Club Mesarji from Ljubljana. For 13 years, they have annually brought gifts from “Santa Claus” donors, drawing smiles on the faces of children and the elderly with their “Santa for a Day” project. As festival director Vojko Korošec stated in his opening speech, just as sports events and other achievements captured on film remain forever, so too will this record of the kindness of Slovenian men and women who prepare hundreds of packages each year, with a team of volunteers ensuring they reach the right people, now forever documented. Like the project itself, the film was created through volunteer work. The Škl Association contributed the idea for it, and Uroš Bitenc, its director, brought it to life with the help of cameraman Krištof Markelj.
The award ceremonies were heartfelt, and all the awards went to the right hands. A true community of all current and past ISFF award recipients is already forming. And truly, all of them are connected in one way or another; Slovenia is indeed small, yet great because of its people for whom mediocrity is foreign. The work of one of our award recipients is connected to the work of at least one other, and they all understand each other’s efforts, knowing what it took for them to achieve what they have, and they truly wish each other well. We sincerely believe they deserved the recognition.
In Rogaška Slatina, there is a music school, and every year they gladly respond to our invitation and provide the musical backdrop for the festival’s opening evening. Last night, their orchestra, composed of music teachers with six accordions and one double bass, passionately performed two pieces and enthralled the audience. The soul was nourished, and the physical body was taken care of by Gostišče Jurg with its consistently excellent catering.
And no, we didn’t scatter immediately after dinner. Lively conversations continued at the tables for quite some time. Then, we eventually departed. Some to their homes, while the organizers and festival guests went to the accommodations provided by Hotels Slatina, Atlantida, Aleksander in GH Donat. And the second day of the festival is already here.
