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Famed Serbian filmmaker to become new president of Spirit of Fire festival

Emir Kusturica noted that he has long-standing warm relations with Russia

KHANTY-MANSIYSK, November 14. /TASS/. Renowned Serbian movie director Emir Kusturica will become the new president of the Spirit of Fire international debut film festival held annually in Khanty-Mansiysk, Yugra’s department of social and external relations and youth policy said on Monday.

"At a session of the organizing committee on preparing and holding the Spirit of Fire international debut film festival, the presidential nomination was approved. [The new president] is renowned film director, screenwriter, producer and composer Emir Kusturica. The meeting was chaired by Yugra’s Governor Natalya Komarova," the statement said.

Kusturica noted that he has long-standing warm relations with Russia. "I am very happy that I can become the head of this festival for young talent. I am glad that I can help those who want to make good movies," the statement quoted him as saying.

A member of the organizing committee, screenwriter Maria Zvereva said that the main goal of the upcoming festival is, on one hand, to preserve the traditions of the Spirit of Fire and on the other, to expand its boundaries. Komarova stressed that with the new president, a new stage of the event’s development will begin.

In 2002, Russian film director Sergey Solovyev launched the creation of the international debut film festival in Khanty-Mansiysk and has been its president until his passing in December 2021. Since 2003, screenings of motion pictures participating in the event have been held at various venues in Khanty-Mansiysk and across the entire region during the festival. The event is supported by the Yugra administration. The 21st Spirit of Fire international debut film festival will be held in Khanty-Mansiysk on March 3-6, 2023.

Emir Kusturica is a Yugoslav and Serbian film director and actor who won awards at Europe’s major festivals, including two Palmes d’Or.

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