River of Grass, at 18.30
Kino Ekran X Liffe
Discussion: Road, Animals, and Nature: The Cinematic World of Kelly Reichardt
Kelly Reichardt's films are contemplative records of the world, offering an observant and sensitive glimpse at the everyday lives, thoughts, and relationships of invisible, marginalised members of society. The filmmaker’s ethics and aesthetics tend towards a view that establishes the equality of all elements and agents of film image, challenging the hierarchies that separate people, nature and animals. As part of the Liffe festival’s retrospective of her work, we are organizing a discussion titled Roads, Animals, and Nature: The Cinematic World of Kelly Reichardt, aimed at shedding light on Reichardt's exceptional oeuvre. With the participation of film critics Anja Banko, Petra Meterc, and Veronika Zakonjšek. Hosted by Ana Šturm, editor-in-chief of the Ekran magazine.

Lecture: New Horizons of the Western
The lecture will focus on Meek's Cutoff (2010), the fourth feature film by the American indie director Kelly Reichardt, as an example of a revisionist western film that challenges classic genre tropes by focusing on the realistic circumstances of the Wild West pioneers and introducing elements of slow cinema and a female gaze. The film analysis will be presented in the broader context of Kelly Reichardt's output and other contemporary films that appropriate the western genre with feminist and anti-colonial perspectives. The lecture will be delivered by Vanja Gajić and Tinkara Uršič Fratina, contributors to the Ekran magazine. Free tickets will be available at the Kinoteka box office one hour before the lecture.

In cooperation with Fipresci and with financial support from SFC

With their commitment to sustainable principles and environmental responsibility, the cultural and creative sectors not only reflect social change but also help to shape it. The Ljubljana International Film Festival – Liffe is committed to running a sustainable event in accordance with the Planet Positive Event methodology, measuring its carbon footprint and setting targets for its reduction. In this vein, the festival is hosting the fourth meeting of the Green Skills Accelerator in Culture partners, a project supported by the Ministry of Culture focusing on practical solutions and tools that enable effective sustainable practices in the sector.
Motovila, the project leader, will combine its expertise with Umanotera. The project focuses on three key areas: development of tools for measuring carbon footprints, training and consulting, and dissemination of best practices. Additionally, the project involves developing tools for planning environmentally sustainable practices, including a carbon footprint calculator tailored to the cultural sector. It also includes designing a sustainability strategy and action plan for CCS organizations, with concrete measures to reduce CO₂ emissions. The LIFFe programme includes a closed morning workshop (Hall M, 10:00–14:00) for organizations involved in the mentoring process, and a public event (Alma Karlin Hall, 14.00–16.00), which will offer insight into inspiring European practices of green transition in cinema and culture and open a discussion on environmental awareness as an integral part of the artistic and production processes.

The Botanist
Zhi wu xue jia
Directed by: Jing Yi; China, 2025; 96'

The delicate friendship between a boy and a girl in a remote Chinese valley deepens into a dreamlike allegory that blurs the lines between reality and the enchanting world of botany.

In a village in a remote valley on the northern border of Xinjiang, China, a lonely Kazakh boy named Arsin nurses fading memories of his family. He finds solace in the company of plants. The arrival of Meiyu, a spirited Han girl, is like the discovery of an otherworldly plant he has never seen before, bringing him comfort. Together, they grow like two distinct species, rooted in a shared corner of the world. But one day, Arsin learns that Meiyu is moving to Shanghai, which is 4,792 kilometres away. Arsin is left alone to grapple with the quiet shifts in their small, fragile world.

The Botanist
Zhi wu xue jia
Directed by: Jing Yi; China, 2025; 96'

The delicate friendship between a boy and a girl in a remote Chinese valley deepens into a dreamlike allegory that blurs the lines between reality and the enchanting world of botany.

In a village in a remote valley on the northern border of Xinjiang, China, a lonely Kazakh boy named Arsin nurses fading memories of his family. He finds solace in the company of plants. The arrival of Meiyu, a spirited Han girl, is like the discovery of an otherworldly plant he has never seen before, bringing him comfort. Together, they grow like two distinct species, rooted in a shared corner of the world. But one day, Arsin learns that Meiyu is moving to Shanghai, which is 4,792 kilometres away. Arsin is left alone to grapple with the quiet shifts in their small, fragile world.

As part of the Barrier-Free Cinema project

A professional programme within the context of the LIFFE festival, designed as a platform for connecting Slovenian and regional filmmakers and a forum for discussing key challenges and practices in present-day AV industry.

The programme includes master workshops from the Scenarnica Plus series with regional filmmakers and thematic round tables. The debates will shed light on ways to enhance the art of cinema through interdisciplinary collaborations and active inclusivity, as well as the challenges of micro-budget filmmaking. The focus will be on concrete creative practices, and the hands-on experiences of filmmakers.

Organisers: Slovenian Film Centre (SFC), Slovenian Federation of Filmmakers' Guilds (ZDSFU), Directors Guild of Slovenia (DSR), Association of Slovenian Film Producers (FPS), Association of Audiovisual Producers of Slovenia (DAVP) and Cankarjev dom (LIFFE)

 In collaboration with the Slovenian Film Centre (SFC)

Moderator: Klemen Dvornik, Panellists: Luka Marčetić, Iza Strehar, Danijel Hočevar, Eva Tomazin

A discussion about the advantages, challenges, and pitfalls of microbudget filmmaking through the personal experiences of filmmakers. The talk will address the impact of this type of production on the cinematographic landscape and the importance of public funding.

In collaboration with the Directors Guild of Slovenia (DSR) and the Slovenian Film Centre

 Moderator: Klemen Dvornik, Guests: Georgi Unkovski, Ivan Unkovski (DJ Ahmet) 

A conversation with the director Georgi M. Unkovski and the producer Ivan Unkovski about the creative and production process of the film DJ Ahmet. The talk will focus on the director's work with the featured ethnic minority, the film's portrayal of the generational conflict between tradition and the digital contemporaneity, as well as the production challenges of shooting and distributing the film.

In cooperation with the Slovenian Federation of Filmmakers' Guilds (ZDSFU)

Moderator: Klemen Dvornik, Panellists: Assist. Prof. Polona Petek, PhD, Assist. Prof. Rok Nagode, Živa Jurančič, Mojca Gorogranc 

The art of cinema has always served as a point of convergence for various creative practices and inclusivity. The round table will highlight how collaborations among various artistic disciplines, such as visual arts, music, architecture, fashion, etc., can visually and thematically enrich a film. The participants will explore specific examples of successful interdisciplinary collaborations. Another focus will be on social inclusion and the active involvement of vulnerable groups in the AV sector.

In collaboration with the Directors Guild of Slovenia (DSR)

Moderator: Darko Sinko, Guest: Stefan Đorđević (Wind, Talk to Me)

A talk with director Stefan Đorđević about his feature debut, Veter, govori z mano (Wind, Talk to Me), a Slovenian minority co-production. An intimate and semi-autobiographical portrait of the mother-son relationship, the film focuses on the recently bereaved filmmaker Stefan. Driven by his urge to complete a film about his deceased mother, the director returns home in an attempt to come to terms with his grief. The talk about the production process and the cinematographic combination of docufiction will be moderated by director Darko Sinko.

A socializing place in Cankarjev dom's Foyer II, with free screenings of films from previous Liffe editions and film books throughout the festival. At the festival centre, visitors can enjoy the legendary Liffe snack, Eurosad apples, and browse through old Liffe catalogues.

Join us for a coffee and enjoy the cosy atmosphere before the first screening or long Q&As after the last screening.