Selected from the Croatian film scene
The Croatian film industry has produced a remarkable collection of works in 2025, showcasing a diverse range of genres and storytelling approaches. From animated black comedies to personal documentaries and experimental works, these films demonstrate the breadth and creativity of contemporary Croatian cinema.
Beast (Beštija) – 2025
Director: Andrea Miletić
Genre: Black Comedy (Animated)
This animated black comedy follows Miranda as she prepares for her mother’s arrival. Her preparations are disrupted by a small Beast from which Miranda desperately wants to escape. Realising she cannot flee, she decides to hide the Beast, hoping her mother won’t notice. Miranda must confront both her aggressive mother and herself in this darkly humorous tale.
Andrea Miletić graduated with a degree in animation from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in 2024. During her studies, she created three short animated films (*Ladies*, *Curiosity Killed the Cat*, and *Beast*) and collaborated on two short animated series for children (*Krceki* and *Lu & Bu*) at Recircle studio.
Being Related to John Malkovich (Biti u rodu s Johnom Malkovichem)
Director: Luka Mavretić
Genre: Feature-Length Documentary
This documentary had its world premiere at the 65th Krakow Film Festival, marking director Luka Mavretić’s feature-length documentary debut. The film explores his family’s alleged connection to the legendary American actor John Malkovich.
After becoming a father, Luka decides to work on his relationship with his own father. To uncover long-buried issues, they embark together on an investigation into the family myth about potential kinship with the Hollywood legend. Accompanied by an unexpected mix of supporting characters including an old farmer, a John Malkovich impersonator, a priest, and a podcast host, father and son travel through villages, cities, and countries, constantly questioning whether it would have been wiser to keep everything under the carpet.
This Is (for) the Sea (Ovo je (za) more)
Director: Renata Poljak
Genre: Documentary-Experimental
This experimental documentary emerged from a speculative idea: Can we heal the sea? Help it at least a little? Make music for it, make it feel better? Our beliefs and convictions are shaped by stories that have changed and been reinterpreted over centuries. In ancient Slavic mythology, the sea god was not considered a benevolent force.
The film combines the mythological voice of Amira Medunjanin with contemporary live composition by Alen and Nenad Sinkauz and a newly written song by Monika Herceg, creating a new myth that seeks to change the narrative. Twelve-year-old Vanja Cetnić-Koča has been catching and studying plankton for the past two years. He possesses a professional plankton net and conducts scientific research under a microscope, studying known and unknown species of tiny, almost invisible marine organisms. His research has already contributed to new scientific discoveries.
Samoća (Lonely)
Director: Bobby Boško Grubić
Genre: Short Fiction/Feature Film
The short film “Samoća” premiered in the competition programme of the 20th edition of the Paris European Independent Film Festival. This drama, featuring the final performance of actor Duško Valentić, was based on a short story by Mira Gavran and directed by Bobby Boško Grubić.
Gavran’s short story “In the River’s Embrace” speaks about loneliness, the need for closeness and understanding. The film stars Sven Jakir and Valentić in the main roles.
The story follows a gravely ill old man, disappointed with his life, who dreams of returning to his beloved river where he always felt happiest, and of publishing a collection of poems as his life’s legacy. Completely alone, he eagerly awaits visits from his nephews, whom he raised as his own sons, but receives only their desire for his inheritance rather than the love and comfort he needs. He finds hope in an unexpected friendship with a roommate who shares many of his interests.
Bobby Bosko Grubić is a Croatian-American producer, director, songwriter, composer, singer, entrepreneur, and environmental activist.
These four films represent the diversity and artistic ambition of Croatian cinema in 2025. From Andrea Miletić’s animated exploration of family dynamics to Luka Mavretić’s personal documentary journey, from Renata Poljak’s experimental meditation on environmental themes to Bobby Boško Grubić’s intimate drama about human connection, Croatian filmmakers continue to push boundaries and tell compelling stories that resonate both locally and internationally.
The international recognition these films have received, including premieres at prestigious festivals in Krakow and Paris, demonstrates the growing global appeal of Croatian cinema.
