Sorrentino wins Tree of Life award at opening ceremony of 11th Kustendorf festival

BELGRADE, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 11th Kustendorf International Film and Music Festival opened on Tuesday evening at the tourist village of Drvengrad in Western Serbia, with directors Paolo Sorrentino and Ruben Ostlund as special guests.

The annual festival at the foot of Mt Mokra Gora was opened by the award-winning Serbian director Emir Kusturica and Serbia's Minister of Culture and Information Vladan Vukosavljevic.

"For me, Paolo Sorrentino is the best living director. He is the continuation of two important directions in film-making -- Italian neo-realism and the French poetic realism," Kusturica said, awarding Sorrentino with the Award for Future Films now renamed "Tree of Life" for his opus.

Vukosavljevic said that besides gathering stars, Ksutendorf is one of rare festivals that provides an opportunity to young people to affirm themselves, especially in the competition program, as well as to sit together with the great names of world cinematography and become inspired.

"This is a big workshop of art and culture and one of the most important manifestations in Serbia," the minister said.

Twenty one short movies from young film creators will compete for the Gold, Silver and Bronze Egg awards. Qiu Yang from China brought with him "A Gentle Night" about a mother looking for her missing daughter.

A special program is dedicated to the works of Sorrentino and Serbian actor Aleksandar Bercek.

Featuring a rich music program with well known regional and international performers, the festival takes place until January 21. Enditem