May 18, 2026
This past weekend, the historic coastal town of Budva transformed into a vibrant hub for Europe’s leading cultural voices as the European Festivals Association (EFA) convened its annual Arts Festivals Summit. Running from May 16 to 19, the 2026 summit brought together over 250 festival makers, artists, and policymakers from across the continent. DokuFest was proudly represented at this premier gathering by Executive Director Linda Llulla Gashi, ensuring that Kosovo’s thriving cinematic scene was front and center in pan-European dialogues.
Photo: EFA/fb
Hosted in collaboration with Theatre City Budva—which is celebrating its own monumental 40th anniversary this year—the summit kicked off with a spectacular opening evening at the ancient Citadel. Against this dramatic backdrop of the mediaeval old town, EFA Secretary General Kathrin Deventer emphasized the profound importance of the gathering, noting that the days would be dedicated to discussing the role of art in contemporary society "in peace and among friends."
Building Bridges and Navigating the Future
Curated around the theme of "Creating bridges: eye-to-eye, East to West, arts to politics and back," the summit proved to be far more than a traditional conference. Through high-level plenaries, intimate breakfast talks, and specialized working groups that spanned from the Budva coast to the historic royal capital of Cetinje, delegates tackled the most pressing issues facing cultural organizers today.
Key discussions centered on the environmental sustainability of cross-cultural cooperation—specifically the delicate balance between green mobility and socially fair practices for artists working on the periphery. Other focal points included the evolving expectations of festival audiences and the crucial role of festivals as launchpads for emerging artists. By participating in these strategic workshops, Linda Llulla Gashi shared DokuFest’s unique insights while exploring innovative, cross-border approaches alongside fellow international trailblazers.
Looking Ahead to a Milestone Summer
DokuFest’s active engagement in Montenegro underscores a steadfast commitment to strengthening our international network. By participating in these vital European exchanges, we ensure that the voices and stories of our regional filmmakers continue to resonate on a global scale.
The timing of the EFA Summit couldn't be more perfect. The shared wisdom, dynamic debates, and new collaborative seeds planted in Budva are already feeding into the creative energy back home as preparations reach their absolute peak for DokuFest’s historic 25th Jubilee Edition, set to take over the cinemas and streets of Prizren from August 7 to 15, 2026.
Stay tuned to our website and social channels as we continue to build toward an unforgettable summer of documentary cinema, short films, and cultural encounters!
