Eighteen years ago, Albania lost one of its most beloved directors, Xhanfise Keko.

Audiences remember her as the filmmaker who raised children’s cinema to a new level. Institutions and critics also honored her work. She holds the title “Honor of the Nation” and remains an unforgettable name in Albanian cinema, known for her rare artistic sensitivity.

Xhanfise Çipi Keko was born on January 27, 1928, in Gjirokastër. She completed her studies in film editing in Moscow. Throughout her career, she also received strong support from her husband, documentary filmmaker Endri Keko.

As a pioneer of Albanian children’s cinema, she began her artistic journey in 1952. First, she worked as a film editor and documentarian. Later, she directed 12 feature-length films, many of which gained recognition beyond Albania’s borders. Her films were not only stories on screen. They also delivered human values and lasting memories that continue to live with audiences.

On the anniversary of her passing, the National Film Archive paid tribute to her legacy. It stated that Xhanfise Keko gave childhood a face, a voice, and a dream, by seeing the world with pure eyes and a generous heart.

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