The Twelfth Edition
From June 9 to 13, 2025, the DEA OPEN AIR International Film Festival will celebrate its 12th edition in the capital city!
After five successful years in Saranda, DEA is coming this year for the seventh time to Tirana to share the European film and professional expertise with the public, students and filmmakers of the capital city!
The evening screenings of the festival’s main competitive program – Feature Films – will take place at DEA OPEN AIR Cinema 1, located in the Amphitheater of the University of Arts.
The same venue – DEA OPEN AIR Cinema 1 – will host the Official Opening Ceremony as well as the Gala Awards Night of the 12th edition of the DEA OPEN AIR International Film Festival – Tirana 2025.
The afternoon screenings of the main competition – Feature Film Section – along with the Documentary, Short Film, and Student Film programs, will be held at DEA OPEN AIR Cinema 2 – AGIMI Cinema Hall.
All participating filmmakers submitted their works via the platforms FilmFreeway and Festhome, or directly to the Festival’s official address.
Submissions have come not only from across Europe, but also far beyond, giving this year’s selection – like previous editions – a truly intercontinental reach.
The films and authors in competition first underwent a preliminary selection process conducted by international committees, which concluded at the end of March.
In the running for the DEA Awards, the selection committees have included a total of 34 films from 20 countries in this year’s program: 7 films in the Feature Film Section (main competition), 14 films in the Short Film Section and 13 films in the Student Film Section.
As part of the twelfth edition of the DEA OPEN AIR International Film Festival, DEA Academy is organizing the Regional Meeting of Film Schools on June 10–12, 2025 — an initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among academic institutions in the field of cinema across the Balkan region.
This year, the Academy will host the following participants: The Department of Film and Television – University of Arts, Tirana/Albania; The Department of Film and Television Directing – University of Pristina, Faculty of Arts, Pristina/Kosovo; The Department of Film at the “Saints Cyril and Methodius” University, Skopje/North Macedonia and The Department of Film and Video – Arts Academy, University of Split, Croatia.
During the three-day event, a special daily program (2–3 hours) featuring student films from the participating schools will be presented, accompanied by showcases of each school’s academic and cultural offerings.
An important component of the event will be the roundtable discussions, which will address current topics related to the development of cinema in the region, the challenges of professional training for young filmmakers, opportunities for inter-institutional collaboration, as well as a masterclass by renowned Turkish director Semih Kaplanoglu.
The 12th edition of the DEA OPEN AIR International Film Festival is held with the support of: the Municipality of Tirana, the National Center of Cinematography, the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation of the Republic of Albania and the University of Arts – all of whom help create a welcoming environment for artistic contributions and civic engagement from across the globe.
Film professionals, directors of several prominent European film festivals, actors, directors, producers, as well as industry representatives, critics, scholars, and journalists, bring vibrancy and multidimensional dialogue to the event – the very essence of what cinema promises and delivers.
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Regional Meeting of Film Schools
- Department of Film and Television – University of Arts, Tirana (Albania)
The Department of Film and Television is part of the Faculty of Performing Arts at the University of Arts in Tirana, alongside the Faculty of Music and the Faculty of Fine Arts. It offers specialized programs in film and television directing, acting, stage design, costume design, and choreography.
The curriculum combines theory and practice across areas such as directing, screenwriting, cinematography, and editing, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning through workshops and real-world productions.
Founded in 1966, the University of Arts has a long-standing tradition of nurturing artistic talent in Albania, preparing professionals who contribute to both national and international media landscapes.
More info: www.uart.edu.al
- Department of Film and Television Directing – University of Pristina, Faculty of Arts (Kosovo)
Established in 2000, this department is one of the leading institutions in Kosovo for educating young filmmakers and television professionals. It offers a Bachelor’s program in Film and Television Directing, focused on developing students’ creative, technical, and theoretical skills.
The program includes modules in production, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, and directing, balancing theory with practical application. Students are prepared to enter the industry as independent creators and skilled professionals.
With a strong presence in national and international festivals, the department has significantly contributed to Kosovo’s cultural and audiovisual landscape.
More info: www.uni-pr.edu
- Film Department – “Saints Cyril and Methodius” University, Skopje (North Macedonia)
The Film Department is part of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts at “Saints Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje, and plays a central role in educating new generations of filmmakers in North Macedonia.
It offers accredited studies in directing, screenwriting, cinematography, and editing, with an emphasis on hands-on film projects and direct mentorship from experienced professors.
Students are actively involved in film production throughout their studies and are encouraged to develop a personal, authorial approach to filmmaking.
The department is known for its active participation in festivals and for shaping successful professionals in the regional film industry.
More info: www.fdu.ukim.edu.mk
- Department of Film and Video – Arts Academy, University of Split (UMAS), Croatia
This department offers a three-year Bachelor’s program in Film and Media Arts, with a strong interdisciplinary and contemporary approach to education.
The curriculum covers directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and new media, blending theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience through workshops and collaborative projects.
As part of the Fine Arts Division, it operates alongside programs in visual communication design, sculpture, painting, restoration-conservation, and visual culture, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration.
The academy organizes cultural events and supports international exchange programs, enriching the student experience with global perspectives.
More info: umas.unist.hr
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