Tirana International Film Festival has opened its 24th edition with the theme “Bring it back! HUMANOGRAPHY.” The opening ceremony featured a special screening of Mother, directed by Teona Strugar Mitevska, who also received the festival’s Honorary Award. The film portrays a decisive moment in Mother Teresa’s life in Calcutta in 1948, when faith, ambition and a sense of duty confront a deep personal dilemma. Mother premiered in the Orizzonti section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and later won the Best Artistic Contribution Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Producer and actress Labina Mitevska also attended the opening.

The festival will present 229 films from 71 countries, including 27 feature films and 202 short films. The films include world, international, regional and national premieres. Meanwhile, Teona Strugar Mitevska and Labina Mitevska will hold dedicated masterclasses during the festival. Labina Mitevska will focus particularly on the development and production of Mother. Teona Strugar Mitevska, one of the best-known filmmakers from North Macedonia, also directed God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya, which received more than 20 international awards.

The “HUMANOGRAPHY” theme places people, creative processes and decisions behind filmmaking alongside the stories shown on screen. TIFF 2026 will continue with films, meetings, masterclasses and other activities at Millennium Cinema, Agimi Art Center, Kino Piramida, Maks Velo Cinema, Vila 31 x Art Explora and Tunèl Terrace.

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