Grand Winner of the 73rd Pula Film Festival Arrives at Opatija's Small Summer Stage
The film by director Igor Jelinović, awarded the Big Golden Arena, will be screened on Wednesday, August 12, with tickets already on sale.
The film by director Igor Jelinović, awarded the Big Golden Arena, will be screened on Wednesday, August 12, with tickets already on sale.
After triumphing at the 73rd Pula Film Festival, the best Croatian film 'Koka' by director and screenwriter Igor Jelinović arrives before the Opatija audience. The screening is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 9 PM at the Small Summer Stage in Opatija.
'Koka' was the absolute winner at this year's Pula Festival. The film won the Big Golden Arena for Best Film, the Golden Arena for Best Screenplay, and acting awards went to Snježana Sinovčić-Šiškov for Best Leading Actress and Aleksandra Janković for Best Supporting Actress. Additional recognition came through the Kino mreža Award for Best Croatian Film.
At the heart of the story is Tonina, the owner of an accounting firm who employs her husband and daughter and cares for her immobile mother. Her organized and ambitious life clashes with her younger sister Tajana when Tonina secretly buys out part of the family house on the island, despite their prior agreement to purchase it together. This act triggers a serious family rift.
Alongside the award-winning actresses, the film also stars Šimun Šitum, Stojan Matavulj, Leon Lučev, Ana Marija Veselčić, Mare Rodin, and Dara Vukić. The latter shot the film at the age of 99 and passed away just a few days before the world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Rea Rajčić is the film's producer, while Jelena Mitrović serves as co-producer. Alongside director and screenwriter Jelinović, the team includes cinematographer Marko Jerbić, production designer Veronika Radman, costume designer Katarina Bilan, makeup artist Dušica Vuksanović, film editor Tomislav Stojanović, and sound designer Ivan Zelić. Miro Manojlović and Ana Kovačić are the composers.
The film was produced by Zagreb-based Eclectica and co-produced by Serbian company Baš Čelik, with support from Creative Europe, MEDIA Sub-programme, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Croatian Radiotelevision, City of Split, and Film Centre Serbia.
Tickets for the screening in Opatija can be purchased online at Mojekarte.hr or at the cinema box office from 8 PM on the day of the screening. With every purchased ticket, visitors will also receive a commemorative keychain with the film's logo, while supplies last.
