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This year's 13th Zagreb TourFilm Festival, held from October 2 to 4, 2024, once again demonstrated why this international festival of tourist films is considered one of the most important events of its kind. Organized in collaboration with Balduči Film and the Tourist Board of the City of Zagreb, with support from Croatian state institutions, the festival gathered more than 200 film works from 38 countries, confirming its status as an exceptionally significant event for promoting the global tourism industry through audiovisual productions.
This year's festival highlighted Zagorje, which won three prestigious awards in various categories. The film "500. Kostelska Easter Pistol," which showcases the authentic traditions of this region, took second place in the "Documentary Film and TV Reportage" category. This award is not only a recognition of film production but also a strong promotion of the cultural heritage of this part of Croatia. The intriguing blend of history and modern filming techniques brought this film international recognition and brought Croatian culture closer to a global audience.
Another success for Zagorje was the film "In the Embrace of Nature – Veliko Trgovišće," which won third place in the "Tourist Product" category. This film emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism, depicting Veliko Trgovišće as a destination that combines natural beauty with environmentally responsible approaches. This award indicates a growing interest in destinations that promote ecotourism and nature conservation, aligning with global trends in the tourism industry.
However, the film "Zagorje – A Fairy Tale on a Palm," which won second place in the "Tourist Destination – Region" category, attracted the most attention. This film has already been awarded six times at various festivals, and this year's award at the Zagreb TourFilm Festival is just a testament to its continued success. The film depicts Zagorje as a destination that offers a unique combination of natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and authentic experiences, making it increasingly popular among domestic and foreign visitors.
A special award ceremony was held at Kaptol Boutique Cinema, and the winners were announced by an international jury consisting of nine members, experts from the film and tourism industry. This event not only celebrates creative works but also strengthens the connections between the film industry and tourism boards, providing a platform for promoting destinations through innovative audiovisual content.
The festival, in addition to film screenings, offered additional content such as expert panels, city tours, and excursions with wine tasting in Sveti Ivan Zelina, allowing visitors to get acquainted with and enjoy the richness of Croatian culture and gastronomy. Such content further underscores the significance of this festival, which not only promotes tourist destinations but also the cultural diversity of Croatia.
Note: This content was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools. The content was editorially reviewed before publication.