June 8, 2021 - The Croatian film ''Murina'',  directed by Dubrovnik-born Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović on her feature-length debut, has been selected for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival!

As reported by Gloria.hr, and confirmed by the Croatian director Antoneta Alamat-Kusijanović, it is a great day for Croatian cinema as a Croatian film will return to Cannes. Her feature-length debut film ''Murina'' was selected in the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs. It is the second collaboration between Antoneta and the star of the film, Gracia Filipović, who was also the protagonist in her short film ''Into the Blue'', which won a special jury award at the Berlinale in 2017. The Croatian film ''Murina'' was shot in the Croatian islands.

Director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović and her 18-year old star, Gracia Filipović

The Croatian film "Murina" is a family drama about sixteen-year-old Julia. Her tense relationship with the oppressive father Ante reaches a breaking point when an old family friend arrives at their home on an isolated Croatian island. While his father tries to make a deal with him, the charismatic guest offers Julia freedom from her militaristic existence and arouses her revolt towards her family. During a weekend filled with high expectations, Julia drags her family into a dangerous whirlpool of passion and violence.

''Into the Blue'', the first collaboration between director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović and actress Gracia Filipović

Along with experienced actors, Leon Lučev from Šibenik, Danica Curcic from Denmark, and Cliff Curtis from New Zealand, the 18-year-old Gracia Filipović from Dubrovnik has the main role in "Murina". An excellent steppe dancer and an excellent swimmer, Gracia has already collaborated with Antoneta, together they made the short film "Into the Blue", which won a special jury award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2017, but also the Heart of Sarajevo for best film at the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović on the set of ''Murina''. (Photo: Mario Topić)

Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović is a Dubrovnik director with a degree from the Zagreb Academy of Dramatic Arts. She completed her postgraduate studies in film directing at Columbia University in New York and was also the first Croatian scholarship holder of the Cinefondation, a program to support the Cannes Film Festival to talented directors from all over the world.

"Murina" was produced by the Zagreb production company Antitalent and producer Daniel Peka, as well as the powerful Brazilian producer RT Features and the American Sikelia, backed by Oscar-winner Martin Scorsese. The film will be premiered in Cannes, as announced by director Antoneta Alamat-Kusijanović on an Instagram post.

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Due to the pandemic, this year’s Cannes Film Festival was not held in its traditional May term, but films in the city on the Cote d’Azur will be screened from 6 to 17 July. And in its 74th edition, Cannes will show that it is the center of the film world. It will be opened by the long-awaited musical by Leos Carax "Annette" starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, and the main guest of the opening will be the American actress Jane Fonda, who will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović on the set of ''Murina''. (Photo: Mario Topić)

Quinzaine des Réalisateurs is a program organized by the French Association of Film Directors during the Cannes Film Festival. Launched back in 1969, it has crystallized over the years as perhaps the best representative of the new voices of world cinema. Oscar-winner Martin Scorsese also began his breakthrough in world cinema after showing the now cult film "Streets of Evil" starring Robert DeNiro in Cannes in 1974. Croatian cinema also has a long history with the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs program. Krsto Papić's "Foxes" was shown here in 1970, and Vatroslav Mimica's "Peasant Revolt", in 1976.

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May 5, 2021 - Game of Thrones is returning through a prequel series House of the Dragon which will feature locations in Croatia.

Game of Thrones is returning! After cancelling the plans to shoot a prequel series starring Naomi Watts in 2019, HBO seemed to be putting their incredibly popular franchise to bed. However, things changed at the end of April as the company confirmed the start of production for a different prequel series based on George R. R. Martin's book „Fire & Blood“. The book focuses mainly on the story of the Targaryen Family. The plot follows them up until the civil war known as the „Dance of the Dragons“, set 300 years before the events of HBO's Game of Thrones.

House of the Dragon will feature a fittingly solid cast. Paddy Considine of The Outsider and Peaky Blinders fame will play the role of King Viserys. Matt Smith (Doctor Who, The Crown) plays Prince Daemon Targaryen. Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel, Ready Player One) will fill the role of Alicent Hightower. Emma D’Arcy (Truth Seekers, Misbehaviour) will play Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. HBO will produce one season featuring ten episodes.

Positive Effects of Game of Thrones are still felt in Croatia

The. exciting news doesn't stop there. The British edition of GQ reports locations in Croatia and Morocco are going to be used for filming. Original series found numerous locations along the coast of Croatia perfect for depicting the fantasy world of Westeros. Croatian cities like Dubrovnik, Split, and Sibenik helped create a unique look and feel of some of the key places in the story. It is hard to find a Game of Thrones fan who doesn’t associate the city of King’s Landing with the medieval architecture of Dubrovnik’s historical centre. So, it will be very interesting to see which exact locations the production will choose and how they will shape the look of the new series.

Local tourism sectors in Dubrovnik and Split enjoyed quite a dramatic positive effect caused by the worldwide Game of Thrones craze. Themed filming locations tours are still some of the most requested by travellers to Dubrovnik. The show also created a ripple effect that saw these Croatian destinations become more recognised globally than ever before. Real effects are as significant as they are immeasurable. It stands to reason the news about the return of Croatian tourism’s favourite TV series is an exciting one.

With all said and done, it seems the fans of the original show have something to look forward to, as do local tourism boards in Croatia and Morocco. The rest of us are hoping the new series will live up to the reputation of its over-hyped big brother.

For more information about Game of Thrones filming locations, tours, and activities in Croatia be sure to visit this page on our newly launched Total Croatia portal.

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ZAGREB, October 5, 2020 - The shooting of the film titled "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent", starring Nicolas Cage and Pedro Pascal, starts in Dubrovnik on Monday, the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC) has said.

This is the ninth project to apply for the incentive programme for filming in Croatia in a year when film production in the entire world has come to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The shooting of the film, directed by Tom Gormican and produced by Lionsgate, will last for 15 days. In the Croatian part of the project, 412 film workers are involved, including 97 Croatian citizens, and there will be about 300 Croatian extras.

The planned spending of foreign investors for 10 projects this year exceeds HRK 100 million, said HAVC director Chris Marcich.

He recalled that audiovisual industry in Croatia had resumed its activities in May, under epidemiological measures, and primarily for domestic productions.

Croatia has thus been recognised in the world as a safe location for filming. With the borders reopening, intensive preparations have started for the return of foreign productions, said Marcich.

The service production company for "The Unbearable Weigth of Massive Talent" is the Dubrovnik-based Ambasada Studio company of producer Erika Milutin Diller (Embassy Films).

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September 27, 2020 - Croatia's famous filming destination Dubrovnik is back in the movie spotlight as filming for The Islander sequel returned to the Adriatic pearl. 

Although Croatia recorded a much weaker tourist season this year, it has opened up new old opportunities in the country's southern coast as Dubrovnik is again the backdrop for a film!

Namely, science fiction is being filmed on its walls, on Porporela, below Pile, and on the old city streets. It gathered hundreds of extras and kept Dubrovnik hotels open. But the filming is nowhere near over, and Dubrovnik is expecting Hollywood stars this autumn as well.

The American-Croatian production - The Islander 2, will turn Dubrovnik into the fictional city of Argos, reports RTL.

"It’s a sequel to a film we shot in 2018. It's a science fiction film set in apocalyptic times," said Matthew Zamias, the producer.

"We have a nice family story that is put between a grandfather and a grandson where a grandson saves the world," said Neb Chupin, the lead producer.

About 80 members of the film crew and almost two hundred extras filmed the last scene at one of Dubrovnik's most beautiful locations. They managed to get the best out of the pandemic.

"Because there are no tourists, and it is easier to access some locations and shoot them as we see them. That is the most favorable thing about that, and the rest, of course, for the staff and people who work on the film," said producer Tomislav Tepsic.

"Everything is going according to plan. The city is fantastic. I mean, out of all the fantastic locations in Europe, this is one of the best," said director Domagoj Mazuran.

Dubrovnik actors also combined business with pleasure.

"It’s like half-holiday, half business environment. I love working here, the weather is really nice, and I love it. The film is progressing well," said Marco Ilso, the leading actor.

It is also good for Dubrovnik's late summer season because this team is keeping the doors of one hotel open.

"We've had about a thousand overnight stays. There were about 55 of them who came, went, and stayed here," said Tom Zovko, general manager of the hotel in Dubrovnik.

There is no rest this autumn, either, as the old ramparts will again become a filming backdrop. 

"The new film production starts in ten days, with two extremely big Hollywood stars. We are also expecting the filming of another HBO series," said Mato Frankovic, mayor of Dubrovnik.

The return of film crews this year could also bring new tourists to Dubrovnik next season.

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September 23, 2020 – Following incredible success with Game Of Thrones, Mamma Mia and others, Croatia filming locations prove to be the best again as HBO's Succession wins 7 Emmys

Historic Dubrovnik was always pretty enough to attract people from far and wide. Dubrovnik has a lot of sights to visit. In addition, it offers many activities such as hiking, cycling, sailing, boat ride, Seabob experience etc. But, following its appearance in TV show Game Of Thrones, interest in visiting the walled city went through the roof. Tourists were not the only ones who wanted to come.

HBO drama Succession is just the latest hit to take advantage of the spectacular scenery while filming in Croatia. The show has just bagged no less than seven prestigious Emmy awards for the season partially filmed in Croatia. In the drama series category, it picked up Emmys for Best Leading Male Role, Best Guest Role, Best Casting, Best Directing, Best Screenplay and Best Picture Editing.

Cast members filmed aboard a yacht with beautiful Croatia and its Adriatic waters as the backdrop © HBO

The shooting took place over 12 days in July 2019, primarily on a yacht on which the show's central characters, the Roy family, were taking a holiday. The Croatia filming locations used were the waters around Cavtat, Korcula, Mljet and Sipan. The series ventured into more urban areas of Croatia and, for those scenes, filming locations in Zagreb and Rijeka were sourced. The German-built Solandge was the yacht used in the filming and costs as much as $1.1million (£850,000) to rent for one week.

The Roy family aboard the yacht Solandge in Croatian waters © HBO

Now in its third season, Succession centres on the dysfunctional Roy family, owners of a global media and hospitality empire. It stars British actor Brian Cox as the ailing family patriarch with Kieran Culkin heading up the otherwise all-American cast. A total of 613 people worked on the shooting of Succession in Croatia, of which 595 were Croatian (161 film workers, three trainees and 431 extras).

Solandge is currently one of the most luxurious yachts in the world © Moran Yachts

In recent years, major movies such as Star Wars, Robin Hood and one installment in the long-running James Bond series have joined the likes of Game Of Thrones and Mamma Mia in enjoying Croatia filming locations. However, filming in Croatia goes back much further than that. During the 1970s and early 1980s, no less than three Oscar-winning movies used Croatia filming locations - Fiddler on the Roof (1971), The Tin Drum (1979) and Sophie’s Choice (1982).

You can read more about filming in Croatia and Croatian filming locations by reading our dedicated section here

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Whenever someone talks about filming in Croatia, Game of Thrones (GoT) comes to most people's minds instantly. While the hit series saw Croatia put at the top of the ''must visit'' lists of many film and TV buffs, there are far more Croatian filming locations to be discovered and celebrated than that.

As Morski writes on the 16th of June, 2020, the promotional film called Croatia Your Next Filming Destination won second place in the "Region International" category back in March this year at the 20th edition of the prestigious Golden City Gate festival. It is a festival held during the ITB tourist fair in Berlin, Germany, but unfortunately the fair and the award ceremony weren't held as normal due to the situation with the coronavirus pandemic.

''We're extremely proud of the success of the film by which we're promoting Croatian filming locations and additionally position Croatia as an attractive country on the map of world production centres. Despite the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has stopped the production momentum across the world and in our country too, we're pleased that, due to the good epidemiological situation, our country is perceived in international production circles as a safe country to start film production,'' said CNTB Director Kristjan Stanicic, adding that according to information from HAVC, the delayed filming of foreign projects in Croatia is expected to start at the end of the summer, while the filming of Croatian projects started last week, with the recommended precautions firmly in place and properly adhered to.

''This award from Berlin is a great success if we take into account the fact that the competition included films from all over the world and from famous international destinations, and they were judged by as many as 45 members of a jury made up of numerous professions. The festival awards films in eighteen categories, and the best are chosen by an international jury made up of representatives from various sectors - from business people to artists. Each international award makes us especially happy and puts a spring in our step, and since Croatian films have been submitted to several other festivals, we're looking forward to the results of the autumn festivals,'' said the screenwriter and producer of the film, Spomenka Saraga.

It's worth adding that the promotional film Croatia Your Next Filming Destination, in addition to winning silver in Berlin, recently won two gold awards at the prestigious American festival The Telly Awards, which was held for the 41st time this year, while at the Riga International Film Festival in Latvia, the film which showcases amazing Croatian filming locations won the main award upon the jury's choice.

Good trends on the Croatian filming scene have also been firmly confirmed by the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, which says that the interest of foreign producers in filming in Croatia is really good, especially for locations on the coast, but also for "undiscovered" locations in Knin, Glina, Obrovac, Zir and Petrova gora, as well as in already very well-known locations such as Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Rijeka, Trogir, Pag and Zagreb.

For more on Croatian filming locations, follow our travel page.

Coca-Cola is filming a commercial in Croatia in the run up to Euro 2020, and some handsome earnings are on offer for extras.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 19th of February, 2020, the fact Istria and Pula have definitely confirmed their status as interesting film and marketing locations has been confirmed by the filming of an advertisement for one of the world's most famous beverages - Coca-Cola, which will be shot in locations in Pula next month, between March the 10th and the 12th, according to Glas Istre.

The entire production of this commercial in Croatia is led by Bas Production, which is already heavily involved in the project. The casting for extras will take place on February the 20th, and then again on Friday, February the 21st, from 10:00 to 13:30 and then from 15:30 to 19:00 (on both days) at the Forum Restaurant on the city square of the same name.

The organisers of the commercial in Croatia are looking for men and women between the ages of 20 and 45, of various looks, a woman over 65, and a middle-aged or older gentleman who is bald and with a mustache, with a Mediterranean appearance and a distinct personality. The organisers point out that it is advisable for the casting to be attended by people from Pula and Istria. This doesn't by any means mean that persons from faraway places cannot participate, but they should bear in mind that travel expenses for casting and filming aren't covered, nor are overnight stays or the use of accommodation during filming guaranteed by the production.

Those wishing to participate in the casting must register with their first and last name and indicate which day and at which time they wish to arrive at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Selected extras should be available for costume rehearsal (March the 6th or 7th) and for recording for three days (March the 10th, 11th, and 12th).

As for the fees, this is a standard fee of around 250 kuna net per day of recording. For extras with roles, however, it is slightly higher, around 750 kuna net per day of shooting. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who wants to see themselves on the big or small screen. It's also a free advertisement for Pula, which will be seen around the world in the midst of the most visible sporting event of the year.

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Ante Gotovina is much more than just a household name like that of an actor or a singer. This hero of the Homeland War was proclaimed innocent at The Hague and released back in 2012. He returned to Croatia and embarked on a normal life before becoming somewhat of an entrepreneur. Thesedays, Gotovina no longer dons a general's uniform, but instead deals in the raising of tuna through his own company.

As Gotovina enjoys the quiet life now, the stories of his heroic past in the face of war have never faded, and a film about him is set to be filmed with Šibenik-Knin County's very welcome financial support.

As Morski writes on the 28th of May, 2019, Šibenik-Knin County Prefect Goran Pauk has signed a co-financing contract for a feature film and the "General" TV series.

"This contract stipulates that Šibenik-Knin County is obliged to provide financial support in the amount of 100,000 kuna to the project of a feature-length film and drama television series called "General'', by the screenwriter and director Antun Vrdoljak in the production of Kiklop filma d.o.o. and Croatian Television,'' reads a quote from Šibenik-Knin County.

In the explanation, it is argued that the theme of the film and TV series is the Homeland War, to which Croatian cinematography still owes a lot, given the historical achievement of the creation of the democratic and independent Republic of Croatia, the fulfillment of a centuries-old dream of the Croatian people.

The film and TV series covers the the war and the life of General Ante Gotovina and his generation of Croatian defenders, detailing both the good times and the extremely bad ones.

"Most of all, because of those who have given us and all future generations the liberty that we've inherited today, the Croatian Defense Forces," they argue in their clarification of their decision to fund the film on Gotovina's life and deeds.

To briefly recall, filming was completed in Šibenik on January the 30th this year, and Šibenik native Goran Višnjić plays General Ante Gotovina.

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Think you can predict the ending of GoT? Let the Unforgettable Croatia agency know!

If one thing has put Croatia on the map more than anything else for film and TV buffs, its the hit Game of Thrones series which has taken the world by storm, leading to countless visits to the many Croatian filming sites, particularly those in Dalmatia's southernmost city of Dubrovnik, which plays Kings Landing in the series, as well as Split.

While the Game of Thrones hysteria has been met with both positive and negative conclusions from residents of popular cities like Dubrovnik and Split, there is no doubt that economically speaking, Croatia has benefited beyond belief.

As Lider writes on the 19th of April, 2019, the British-American agency Unforgettable Croatia has announced a competition in which the task is to guess the ending of the wildly popular Game of Thrones (GoT) series and the reward for the one who manages to decifer the unfolding of the series' events will be rewarded with a trip to no less than GoT heaven - Croatia. So far, more than 5,000 people have sent Unforgettable Croatia their thoughts about who will take the throne at the end of the hit series.

The winner will be awarded a tourist-style tour of the various locations where the popular series was filmed across Croatia, more specifically Dalmatia, including Split, Klis, Hvar, Vis and Dubrovnik. Game of Thrones took off like few could have ever imagined, and the promotion that brought to Croatia was and remains unquantifiable. The first episode of the final season alone, which broadcast on Sunday attracted a record 11.8 million viewers.

Graham Carter, the owner of the British-American Unforgettable Croatia agency which launched the this GoT inspired competition, had his business in mind, which would further flourish by increasing the overall interest in travelling to Croatia. Every year, this agency brings about 5,000 passengers travel to Croatia, and they're hoping to increase that figure to 6,500 next year, as Carter revealed for Večernji list. Carter is currently residing in Split, where he is trying to establish a Croatian office for his the Unforgettable Croatia agency.

The winner of Unforgettable Croatia's competition will be offered half-board accommodation for a seven-day trip for two to Croatia, a tour of the Game of Thrones sites accompanied by a professional guide, and a visit to Hvar and Vis by sea. But there is, of course, a catch - the winner will not win the airplane tickets for travel, and they'll need to foot the bill for that themselves. 

GoT fan? Have your say! Click here.

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Dubrovnik is no stranger to winning awards and you're probably used to reading about it, but this area in the extreme south of Dalmatia continues to fascinate the world for an abundance of reasons. From its stunning natural beauty and crystal clear sea, to its rich history and equally impressive culture, the Pearl of the Adriatic and its immediate surrounding area just keep on making the world's jaws drop.

This time however, it isn't just the famous Dalmatian UNESCO protected old city and its mighty walls which are taking home yet another award for a promotional film made about its unique beauty, but the wider area of Dubrovnik-Neretva County. This truly picturesque part of southern Croatia boasts an almost equal amount of natural beauty and history, and from Ston to Konavle next to the Montenegrin border, you'll likely have your breath taken away multiple times.

As Morski writes on the 11th of April, 2019, the brand new promotional film from the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board, ''Dubrovnik Riviera'' continues to win awards and receive recognition from all sides. To be more precise, at the 2019 New York Festivals® International Film and TV awards festival, which was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, the promo film showcasing Dubrovnik-Neretva County's sheer beauty came third place and won the bronze plaquette.

To briefly recall, at the recent ''The Golden City Gate'' ceremony in Berlin, Germany, at the biggest international ITB World Tourism Fair, the promotional film came second place in the category of regional films, the film has been made by Balduci Film from Zagreb, was directed by Herve Tirmarche and produced by Spomenka Saraga. The film depicts the beauty of Dubrovnik-Neretva County from the Neretva valley, to the islands of Korčula and Mljet, and then Croatia's southernmost municipality of Konavle, which borders Montenegro.

Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle and travel pages for much more. If it's just Dubrovnik and southern Dalmatia you're interested in, have a look at Dubrovnik in a Page for everything you need to know about the Rearl of the Adriatic.