Short Film Forum

For Whom Do the Bells Toll

Documentary / Kosova
Director: Erlisë Beqiri
Producer: Ardian Dubova
Production Company: Apostafat.Tv
Language: Albanian
Estimated Duration: 20 Minutes
Current Stage Of Development: Production, Early Post-Production

Synopsis:
During the unrest of the 1990s in Kosovo and throughout the war, the Catholic church of Gllogjan became a refuge for thousands from the Dukagjin region. Through the memories of the priest and sisters who served there, the film recalls when Don Kelmend Spaqi rang the church bells to mark iftar for Muslim refugees sheltered inside.

People of different faiths and backgrounds were brought together under one roof, where the church shifted from a place of worship to a space of survival. Many slept on the floor, while the Sisters cooked, tended to the sick, and cared for the wounded.

For Whom the Bells Toll? is a visual memoir of Kosovo’s collective memory.

Director’s Biography:
Born and raised in Prishtina, Erlisë Beqiri is a Kosovo-based filmmaker whose work bridges narrative and documentary cinema. Her short films have been recognized across Balkan and European festivals, establishing her as a distinctive emerging voice of Kosovar cinema.

Producer’s Biography:
Ardian Dubova is a cinematographer and producer based in Kosovo. Holding BAs in both Production and Cinematography and has worked on numerous short films as well as feature productions, earning recognition for his expertise in lighting and visual storytelling. Ardian is also the founder and CEO of Apostafat.tv, one of Kosovo’s leading production companies for commercials, music videos, and branded content. His work bridges artistic and commercial worlds and has been internationally recognised through the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen and Talents Sarajevo.

Support Sought From Short Film Forum:
We are seeking collaborators and partners in post-production, including editing consultancy, color grading, sound design, sound mixing, and original music composition. We are also interested in connecting with festival strategists, distributors, sales agents, and international co-production partners.