Častna gostja Grossmannovega festivala je bila nekdanje Bondovo dekle Caroline Munro (FOTO)

Caroline Munro, formerly known as Bond's girl, was the guest of honour at this year’s Grossmann Film Festival, which took place in Ljutomer from July 8th to Sunday. The festival, launched in 2005 to commemorate the centenary of Slovenian cinematography, showcased 53 feature films, short films, and music documentaries. Munro, a British actress, served as chairperson of the jury for the best feature film award and received the “hudi maček” (rough cat) prize for her contribution to cinema. The winner of the best feature film award was Noč (Night), directed by Spanish filmmaker Paulo Urquiza Ali. The film explores themes of modern social structure through the lens of the 17th century, according to the Slovenian Press Agency. The jury praised the director’s mastery of theme and light, noting that while the content was harsh, explicit scenes of violence were avoided. Instead, the portrayal of violence was conveyed through a fable-like narrative style. The film was selected from five contenders for the top prize. Munro, who played a central role in the judging process, was awarded the “hudi maček” for the best feature film. She joined the jury alongside Tomaz Gorkic and Ana Jurc, who together gave special recognition to the French multimedia artist Quarxx’s work Žalujoči. The film presents an alternative history of France, masking deep religiosity with sadistic fanaticism, according to the jury’s statement. In another category, the “hudi maček” for the best music documentary was awarded to the Serbian-German film Brez kompromisov, Beograd, directed by Alexander Baptista Kaiser. The jury highlighted the film’s exceptional documentation of live musical protests, using dynamic sound design and digital technology to capture the spirit of the movement. A special mention went to the Irish film Keltska utopija, which documents the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Celtic language and its resilience across generations. Other awards included the “Slakov hudi maček” for the best short film, which went to Kralj ničesar by Serbian director Aleks Gajic. The European Federation of Fantastic Film Festivals’ award for the best European fantasy short film was given to Morata ga videti by Spanish director Nacho Solana. The festival also featured workshops and discussions, providing opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to engage with contemporary cinematic trends. In addition to the main awards, the festival presented the “vinoteka hudi maček” for the best wine, which was won by the Muscat blanc 2025 from the Polanec winery. Ljutomer, the host city of the festival, has long been associated with the birth of Slovenian cinema. The festival continues to celebrate this legacy, offering a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers. With its blend of artistic expression and technical innovation, the Grossmann Film Festival remains a key event in the international film calendar.