4th CHERRY POP FESTIVAL RECAP
Three days of the 4th Cherry Pop Festival are behind us, and what a journey it has been!
From October 23rd to 25th, Dokukino KIC and Studio-Galerija Klet became spaces of dialogue, art, and emotion, celebrating intimacy, identity, and self-expression through a rich and diverse program.
Over the course of the festival, the audience could experience:
- 15 short films in the Sweet Cherries competition program
- 3 Cherry Pick selections — bringing stories from Belgium, Kosovo, and Croatia
- 1 performance – Object of Dance by Sonja Pregrad
- 1 exhibition – h i g h / s u g a r by Rene Hazulin
- 2 panels exploring sexuality, gender, and representation in film
- 1 Intimacy Workshop led by psychotherapists Lana Hristov and Paula Zore
- 1 afterparty concert – cura i dečko shaking up the Klet stage
Through its inclusive and interdisciplinary program, this year’s edition invited audiences to ask the question behind its theme: “A tko si ti? / Who are you?” — creating a safe space for reflection, openness, and connection.
The accompanying film program Cherry Pick featured three curated sections:
- Cherry Pick 1 presented Lukas Dhont’s Girl, a moving portrait of identity and transformation.
- Cherry Pick 2 brought films from the Prishtina Queer Festival, including BLUSH – An Extraordinary Voyage and As I Was Looking Above, I Could See Myself Underneath, followed by a discussion with festival director Dan Sokoli and curator Dita Shaqiri.
- Cherry Pick 3 focused on local productions exploring gender and selfhood, screening All Those Sensations in My Belly by Marko Dješka and Grand Prize by Anja Koprivšek, both followed by a Q&A with the authors.
Winners of the Sweet Cherry Competition
The Sweet Cherries competition presented 15 short films from around the world, tackling themes of identity, desire, fantasy, and authenticity — from Locarno to Zagreb.
Sweet Cherries Award
Unleaded 95 directed by Tina Emy Muffler and Emma Hütt
Jury statement:
“A film of sprawling aspirations, pure sex and youthful energy. Visually explosive, narratively daring — a wild, wild ride with complex characters and relentless momentum. The queerest of them all.”
Special Mention
Fuck-a-Fan directed by Muriel d’Ansembourg
Jury statement:
“A tender story about the steamiest sex performer and her avid fan, whose fantasy quickly goes off-script. With its grip on irony and dizzying warmth, it transcends the set-up and wins us over with its relevance.”
Special Mention
Blind Date 4.0 directed by Jan Soldat
Jury statement:
“There have been many dates shown on film — none so subversively close to reality. A delightful documentary that provokes with its earnestness, proving that bold filmmaking can still respect the dignity of its protagonists.”
The 4th Cherry Pop Festival was organized by the Academic Film Club, in partnership with Dokukino KIC, Studio-Galerija Klet, and KNAP with MO Ferenščica. It was realized with the support of the Croatian Audiovisual Centre and the City of Zagreb.
Special thanks to our partners and sponsors – Lelo, Winery Voštinić Klasnić, Fraktura, and all who helped us make this year’s edition unforgettable.