With an awards ceremony held last night at the Public Institution “Center for Culture and Education” in Laktaši, the 19th International Amateur Theater Festival, Laktaši 2024, has concluded.
The award for the best theatrical performance was given to the play “Lajanje na zvezde” by UG Gradsko pozorište Јazavac, Scene studija Јazavac from Banja Luka, based on the text by Milovan Vitezović and directed by Belinda Stijak.
The exceptional joy of acting and its consistency, functional and simple scenography, authentic costumes, creative directorial solutions, and successful dramatization of the novel made this performance the most complete at this year’s festival, according to the jury composed of Anđela Rakočević, acting graduate at AUBL, Ananda Čenić, actor at NPRS, and Milan Gajić, playwright.
The award for best direction also went to the same theater and Belinda Stijak for the play “Lajanje na zvezde.”
Belinda skillfully coordinated 24 actors, bringing to life a lost world full of love, respect, and innocence. She showcased her directorial talent and craftsmanship through exceptional genre precision and a coordinated and energetic collective performance, according to the jury’s explanation.
“We are proud of our first awards in Laktaši. The children worked diligently and selflessly, and we are really glad that the jury recognized their effort. The group is thrilled about the awards and the opportunity to travel and perform outside Banja Luka. Additionally, festivals like this one provide a chance for young people from different cities to meet and exchange experiences, which I believe is the greatest value of the festival,” said Stijak to RTRS.
The award for best male role was given to Stefan Nikolić for his role as Mitar in the play “Polanski protokoli” by the Academic Theater SKC Niš.
The jury awarded the prize for best female role to Bojana Radić for her role as Mrs. Anka in the play “Smrt gospodina Goluže” by the Theater “Daske” Laktaši.
The jury decided to also award two special prizes: one for pedagogical dramatic approach to Cvita Pastuović Grljević for the play “Kraljeva sluškinja,” and another for stage movement to Amer Јavoraš for the play “Proces.”
The organizers were pleased with the attendance and particularly with the quality of the round table discussions, from which participants took away positive impressions. There were professional discussions about the performed plays, the acting process, directorial approach, dramatic texts, and the position and role of amateur theaters in the communities from which the plays were selected.
This year’s host was journalist Ernest Zavila.
The traditional festival in Laktaši lasted for four days, and next year will mark the 20th jubilee International Amateur Theater Festival.
Source: RTRS
