The Rolling Film Festival is an initiative of Romawood Production and Balkan Sunflowers
> In Kosovo, as in most of Europe and the rest of the world, Roma remain the one of the most marginalized and vulnerable ethnic groups. Many Roma say that life in Kosovo was good in past decades, but the 1990s, the Kosovo conflict, and the following years changed that. Despite a long history of discrimination and violent repression, there is still much prejudice shown towards Roma in the world. Paradoxically, little is known about Roma aside from the well-known and versed clichés.
> Rolling Film Festival will showcase approximately twenty films (mostly shorts) over the course of three days. These will be local and international films made by Roma as well as non-Roma. By screening a variety of local and international films audiences may gain a true insight into the global situation of Roma. Festival organizers are aware of the pervasive historical tendency towards the exoticism of Roma groups. The selection process will ensure that the Rolling Film Festival does not contribute to a culture of stereotyping and misrepresentation of Roma. Another way of ensuring that a balanced view of Roma is portrayed is by including films made by Roma themselves. Roma filmmakers have a different perspective of their communities than do non-Roma filmmakers. It may not be possible to completely avoid films which include some stereotyping of Roma. In these cases, the discussions and debates held after the screenings will touch on the consequences of this kind of social tendency.
> The Rolling Film Festival aims to counter these prejudices by increasing awareness. For three days, films made by and about Roma from around the world will be screened. These films will focus on Roma life and culture, and Roma rights. Screenings will be followed by discussions between public, filmmakers and activists.
The first annual Rolling Film Festival will take place in the ABC Cinema of Prishtina, Kosovo, from October 19th to 21st 2009.
SEE YOU THERE!