The world premiere of Predrag Ličina's new film is scheduled for August 19, 2026, at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, and the plot of this black comedy about time travel takes place in Zagreb in 1983.
Predrag Ličina's new feature film, titled "Virus of Pathological Kindness", will have its world premiere on August 19, 2026, as part of the Open Air program at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, running from August 14 to 21. This Serbian-Croatian co-production blends satire, science fiction, and dark humor, tackling time travel in a way never before seen in the region.
The story is set in Zagreb in 1983. One snowy night, a naked stranger enters Zorka Vasiljević's apartment, claiming to be from 2031. His mission is to prevent a pandemic caused by the "Virus of Pathological Kindness," which threatens to destroy humanity. Zorka initially believes he's a con artist, but as the evening unfolds, his predictions begin to come true.
The film wittily mocks contemporary social phenomena, recent historical events, and a futuristic world where kindness becomes the greatest threat. The screenplay is written by Ličina himself, based on his short story from the 2022 collection "Bljuzga u sumrak" (Slush in the Twilight).
"I'm truly happy and pleased that my 'Virus of Pathological Kindness,' made as a Serbian-Croatian co-production, will have its world premiere right in Sarajevo, because the folks there know that the best joke is one told at your own expense," Ličina told Kurir.rs.
Starring are Hristina Popović as Zorka Vasiljević and Nikola Đuričko as Luka Radivojević. In supporting roles, we see Gordan Kičić (Zigi Vasiljević), Tihana Lazović Trifunović (Officer Sutjeska), Goran Bogdan (Officer Bogdan), and Rade Šerbedžija (Slobodan Novak).
The producer is Đorđe Vranješ, co-producer Vanja Sremac, and associate producer Aleš Pavlin. Production companies are Stiglitz Productions from Serbia and Terminal 3 from Croatia.
The project was co-financed by Film Centre Serbia (FCS) and Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC), with additional support from the Office for Human Rights and Rights of National Minorities of the Government of the Republic of Croatia through the Serb National Council, highlighting regional cooperation.
Directors of photography are Saša Petković and Dragan Radetić, editor Vanja Kovačević, and sound designers Igor Suzić and Zoran Maksimović. The music was composed by Jura Ferina and Pavao Miholjević. Set design is by Dušan Radoičić, costume design by Selena Orb, and makeup by Aleksandra Pavelkić Janković. Visual effects are by David Gatarić, with color grading by Goran Todorić.
Filming lasted three weeks in Pančevo, and the film hits theaters in November 2026 in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
This is Predrag Ličina's second feature film, continuing his recognizable satirical style with science fiction elements, known from his award-winning debut "The Last Serb in Croatia" and the short film "Teleport Zovko."
