SlovenščinaThis year marks the 5th edition of the Festival of Sports Documentary and Feature Films in Rogaška Slatina. The program will be exceptionally diverse, both in terms of content and geographical representation, once again bringing together creators and enthusiasts of sport and cinematic art from around the world.
Sport – Living – Culture
Athletes, within a short (or relatively short) period of their lives, come to understand essential life principles. They confront and struggle with some of life’s greatest challenges, facing them with determination while simultaneously learning to coexist and live in interdependence with others. In training and competition venues, stadiums, and across all sports locations and disciplines, they not only prepare their bodies and minds but also learn perseverance, respect for rules, the ability to face the most difficult trials, and an understanding of life’s greatest extremes—victories and defeats. All these challenges embody and represent broader human qualities of coexistence: mutual respect, collegiality, and empathy.
No matter how we attempt to define the value system of engaging in sport, we are always confronted with elements that elevate human life to a higher level of existence through constant challenge and training within this fundamental, even archetypal, ethical, psychological, and philosophical framework. From this foundation, a culture of living at the highest levels can be built.
True sports stories are inherently dramatic, much like authentic film narratives. They carry emotional, intellectual, and psychological intertwinings of all the above and serve as testimonies to both general social circumstances and the people within them, as well as to the personal and most intimate experiences of individuals.
Sport proves to be a powerful carrier of human and social values that enrich life on many levels. It places individuals before challenges that often become a true school of life in interpersonal relationships, mutual respect, consideration, and empathy, without requiring them to relinquish their ambitions to reach for the stars.
In addition to the selected film program, the festival will be enriched by distinguished guests from Slovenia and abroad, whose presence will contribute to the international character of the event and enable valuable meetings and exchanges of experience. A rich accompanying program is also being prepared, connecting film, sport, and the local community. Part of the festival will take place at Odiseja in Ljubljana, where the highlight of the event will be the ceremonial premiere of a Slovenian documentary film about the Slovenian national volleyball team.
Members of the professional jury are united in their evaluation principles and in the passion we share for both sport and the art of filmmaking. The selected festival program includes outstanding feature-length and short films from various parts of the world. This diversity is also reflected in the wide range of sports disciplines represented, from the well-known to the less familiar.
Rogaška Slatina has, over the years, established itself as a recognizable festival destination and an excellent host for creators of sports films. It enables organizers to connect cinematic events with local characteristics and the aspirations of its residents, giving the festival a unique identity.
President of the Professional Jury: Metka Dedakovič