29.08.2015.

Minister Gasic opens the first International Orthodox Cinema Festival

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic opened the first International Orthodox Cinema Festival in Serbia "The Strong in Spirit" which is to take place until 1 September in Krusevac. The festival was also blessed by His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, and the opening was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps and the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Welcoming the audience, Minister Gasic stressed the importance of fostering Orthodox values which were recognized in the defence system by the introduction of the chaplains' service in the Serbian Armed Forces in 2011. Speaking about the significance of the festival, Minister Gasic recalled that the idea was born three years ago in this city and finalized during his visit to the Russian capital.

- I wish Krusevac to host this festival for many years and, finally, to bring back what we all need – faith in a better tomorrow, which we can achieve only working together. Believing in ourselves, through faith in God we can make Serbia a better place to live – Minister Gasic said.

During the opening ceremony, the audience in the Krusevac Theatre were also addressed by Bishop David of Krusevac, the Mayor of that city Dragi Nestorovic, as well as the organizers and the jury.

The festival includes nine countries, and later in the evening a ninety-minute film Isceljenje (Healing) was shown. Other films will be screened in the White Hall of the Krusevac Cultural Centre during the evening. The festival will screen nine documentaries and three feature films in the competition part, and three films in the review part.

There are four types of awards envisaged for the best films – for the best documentary feature film, Grand Prix of the Festival and the best film according to the choice of the audience who may vote on the Festival Facebook page.

The organizers of the First International Orthodox Cinema Festival in Serbia "The Strong in Spirit" are the City of Krusevac, the Company Vifsaida from Moscow and the Diocese of Krusevac.