Albanian Film Festival Boston 2025
A celebration of the artistry and authenticity that defines Albanian Cinema Today.
JOIN US in honoring the filmmakers and visionaries who are shaping a new chapter in Albania's cultural narrative.
IMMERSE YOURSELF in films that Stir the Soul and Reflect the Spirit of a nation in motion.
JUNE 19 - 22, 2025
Let’s make this festival unforgettable together.
Short Films
THE VIOLINIST (VIOLINISTI)
THE VIOLINIST (VIOLINISTI)
Director: Saimir Bajo
Producer: Genc Permeti
The Violinist, dedicated to childhood innocence, captures the poignant moments when Saimir Bajo, the director, realized his passion for music. His childhood comes to life among the stone houses of Gjirokastra. This artistic film, grounded in personal memories, conveys a broader message as stated by Saimir Bajo, “…that one might lose a love or a dream, but this should not lead to tragedy, rather it should inspire a new love and dream.”
ONE LOVE (NJË DASHURI)
THE VIOLINIST (VIOLINISTI)
Director: Viron Roboci
Producer: Besmira Pelushaj
One Love takes place in a nursing home in a city in Albania. Almost every night, the central character makes an attempt to "escape" with a suitcase in his hand and a bouquet of flowers. Each time his plan fails and he returns among his friends in the rooms and corridors of the institution. One evening, though, he manages to leave and his feet lead him to the address where he expects to find his lost love.
PLANTING OF THE TREES (MBJELLJA E PEMEVE)
PLANTING OF THE TREES (MBJELLJA E PEMEVE)
Director: Fabio Seferi
Producer: Mateo Cingu
Planting of the Trees depicts one of the darkest sides of the communist regime in Albania - the unexplored crimes of that system. It is a retrospective that brings a somewhat forgotten and unknown reality to the younger generations. It tells the story of a young man whose life ended incomprehensibly. It is the story of a regime that disfigured human nature or depressed it beyond reason. Every dictatorial regime has untold stories. This story is based on real events.
SHARING (TË NDASH)
PLANTING OF THE TREES (MBJELLJA E PEMEVE)
Director: Granit Dragaj
Producer: Gani Demaj
Sharing, a story from Kosovo, tells the story of Bora who uses her artistic talents to create beautiful postcards that she openly and lovingly shares with neighbors. As Bora shares her gifts, the film shares an experience of a person who has Down Syndrome and builds awareness that despite what people may inherit from birth, they are dedicated to living a life - that they too are part of our society, they too have feelings and should have be accepted without prejudice.
THE PIG TASTE (SHIJA E DERRIT)
THE PIG TASTE (SHIJA E DERRIT)
Director: Elvis Lule
Producer: Regis Canameri
The Pig Taste tells a dramatic story of the day to day life of a small family with little resources and low income. A family, which, although found in difficult economic conditions, decides not to give up in the face of poverty. The humble Albanian family's struggle for survival takes a turn when their standard fishing day unfolds unexpectedly.
THE STRANGER (I HUAJI)
THE PIG TASTE (SHIJA E DERRIT)
Director: Ornela Karaj
Producer: Dionis Papadhimit
A lonely man has found work participating in film sets as an extra who always plays the "dead man". His life is monotonous and without any motive or color. He tries to create relationships, but somehow they never develop, until one day he is very close to starting one with a member of the film crew.. But things naturally take a completely different course from what is expected to happen.
Documentaries
IZET CURRI–NEEDLE (IZET CURRI-GJILPERA)
Director: Merita Cocoli
Producer: Merita Cocoli
Needle is a documentary on the life of Izet Curri, an internationally famous couturier, a costume designer and a lecturer at the Masters Studies Akademie Francais. After his acclaimed career in Paris, he established two schools in Kosovo and Skopje: “Design Factory” and “The International Fashion Institute Izet Curi”
KEPT PROMISE (RUAJ PREMTIMIN)
Director: Rina Hajra-Gjoka
Producer: Rina Hajra-Gjoka
Kept Promise traces Albania’s largely unknown role in saving Jewish lives during the Holocaust. The Albanians’ cultural adherence to hospitality and “Besa”, or one’s promise or oath, helped save thousands of individuals who would have otherwise perished during the Holocaust. The story is told through the interviews of those whose families rescued Jewish families during WWII.
ANOTHER DAY (NJE DITE TJETER)
Director: Eneos Carka
Producer: Joni Shanaj
Another Day is a documentary about the lives of Besi and Rafael who travel through Italy for years with their mime and acrobatics act. They receive enthusiastic applause from audiences wherever they perform. Eventually though, their working relationship and friendship suffers due to disagreements over money and Rafael's new studies.
LOLA GJOKA ALEKSI (LOLA GJOKA ALEKSI)
Director: Ixhet Lutfiu
Producer: Ixhet Lutfiu
A documentary about the story of Lola Gjoka Aleksi, a concert pianist born in 1910 in Sevastopol, Crimea to an Albanian family. The family left Crimea in 1932 and settled in Korce, Albania. Gjoka began playing the piano at the age of six and went on to win awards for her musical talent. In 1951, Gjoka became a concertmaster at the State Philharmonic Orchestra of Albania.
Film Festival Gala Event - June 21, 2025
Join us for our Film Festival Gala Event - An evening of exquisite cuisine, distinguished guests, music by Ermira Babaliu and DJ Jani, and the awards ceremony honoring the films featured in this year’s festival.
All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit initiatives of Albanians Fighting Cancer and the Fan S. Noli Cultural Center and Library.
This is an opportunity to support meaningful cultural, educational and social initiatives within our community.
Come dine...dance...celebrate with us.
June 19 - 22 @ St.George Albanian Orthodox Cathedral