Thirty years ago at the initiative of Žmukić Milan, began the story of the Film Festival in Herceg Novi,at which were performed significant changes in organizational and ideological terms. The first edition of the Festival, with the opening movie ‘’In the name of the nation’’ by director Živko Nikolic, Festival was held under the title ‘’Yugoslav Festival of Film Directing’’ and five years later the name was changed to ‘’Yugoslav Film Festival’’, then in 2002 – ‘’Herceg Novi Film Festival’’. The substantial transformation which was strengthened, gave the festival new energy and its present form was carried out in 2010, after decision was brought by Municipality of Herceg Novi and the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro. Yet then the film festival Herceg Novi – Montenegro Film Festival received a status of a special importance for the culture of Montenegro.
Today, the program is devided into three competing categories: feature film, documentary films and selection of students of regional film schools. The fourth segment is a set of films awarded at major European festivals. Feature films, films from the countries of Southeast Europe and the Mediterranean, are displayed at the fortress Kanli kula, feature-length films from around the world are held at the Square Mića Pavlović in the center of the Old Town, a student film, whose production consists of a selection of film schools of the former Yugoslavia, is held in the atrium of the house Ivo Andrić. For the winners of the festival is reserved European fortress Forte Mare. Jubilee, thirtieth edition of the Festival brings with it a specific difference compared to the previous ones. Thus, while a selection of feature films will be presented by the creators of South East Europe, the competitive part will refer to the former Yugoslav republics. This year’s festival has a slogan ‘’Film Touch’’. Promotional face is the young Montenegrin actor Momčilo Otašević.
Thirty years of existence, the Festival welcomes as one of the most visited and most significant cultural events in Herceg Novi, still open to new ideas and transformation.