DEVOTED TO THE CRAFT

Delve into the history of the Manaki Brothers film festival, named in honour of a pair of pioneering brothers who paved the way for today’s DPs.  

Manaki Brothers is the oldest festival in the world devoted to the craft of cinematography. Nestling in the Balkans, the charming Macedonian town of Bitola was the adoptive home of two Vlach brothers, who in 1905 came to London to purchase a movie camera. 

They became true pioneers of their craft. The skills they learnt are embodied in the make-up of all cinematographers. In their memory and honour, this festival is held. Unencumbered by directors, producers or executives, the passion with which brothers Yanaki and Milton Manaki documented the richness of Balkan life has remained evident to this day in the magic of film and the shrouded mystery of the Balkans.  

The brothers are revered to this day. Annually a wreath is laid in recognition of their achievement. Their recording of life throughout the region has been immaculately restored by the Hungarians and often screened to the begin the festival’s outstanding main competition selection. The statue of younger brother Milton is the largest of its kind dedicated to a cinematographer. The impetus which inspired the festival came from a gathering in 1979 of the Milton Manaki Society. 

The roll call of cinematographers who have strolled its imposing red carpet in past decades includes Storaro; Nyquist; Francis; Alekan; Ondricek; Williams; Pratt; Delli Colli; Coutard; Rotunnno; Yusov; Balhous; Carvello; Zsgmond; Edelman; Menges; Lhomme; Berger; Algaine; Sofr; Muller; Lenczewski; Teleman; Godard; Tovoli; Lachman; Arvanitis; Suschitzsky; and many others.  

16 years ago, due to the initiative and generosity of the Macedonian Professionals, IMAGO began to contribute to the growing popularity of the festival. Under the guidance of two remarkable festival directors, Labina Mitevska and Gena Teodosievska, IMAGO was encouraged to establish an IMAGO Balkan Conference. The purpose was to foster a spirit of friendship and collaboration through closer cooperation between the former Balkan states of Yugoslavia and the Societies of Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, and later Turkey. They have met annually in Bitola to communicate with each other to improve standards of cinematography through friendship and to share experiences. 

The resulting goodwill has helped create opportunities for progress and cinematic improvement: the Serbians assisted the Bosnians establish their Society; the Macedonians and Greeks co-operated on ventures; the Slovenians established their BalKAM Film Festival to screen their films. None of this would have been possible without the encouragement of the festival directors, Tomi Salkovski, Labina Mitevska, Blagoda Kunovski-Dore, Dimitar Nikolov-Taki, Gena Teodosievska, and Simeon Damevski. 

To assist these dedicated lovers of film for 16 years has been a true privilege. It has been a joy to witness the steady progress of standards in filmmaking in the region, culminating in a recent Macedonian Oscar documentary nomination.  

IMAGO’s inspiration behind this year’s Balkan Conference was to prepare the groundwork to examine the limited opportunities for women in the regions’ productions. This was organised with great determination by Boyana Andric SAS, who was victim of a COVID scare, resulting in the opening stages being chaired by Elen Lotman ESC. Available female cinematographers were encouraged to attend (some societies have never elected a woman). One positive result is a fresh Balkan Cinematographers Database on the horizon thanks to Meryem Yavuz GYD and Vladan Obradovic SAS. When completed, it could appear on the IMAGO website to ease communication. 

This year’s Golden Camera 300 Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Anthony Dod Mantle BSC ASC DFF by the Macedonian President, with an appearance from John Mathieson BSC, for his contribution to creative cinematic work. The Spirit of Manaki has reverted to its roots, a celebration of the work of the cinematographer. IMAGO is fortunate to have two vibrant festivals dedicated to our craft of cinematography; they both deserve the full support of all film workers. 

The Manaki Festival is one of warmth and family friendship, as witnessed in the opening and closing ceremonies this year. Its warmth and strength may be due to its being uncontaminated by corporate competition. How to keep its relative attraction and charm is the conundrum. 

IMAGO’s presence has resulted in the Balkans being known as the “IMAGO Balkans”. The success of IMAGO’s involvement in the region could be extended by Societies in Eastern/Central Europe. This has been attempted between the Scandinavian and Baltic Societies in Helsinki and also between Societies of Eastern and Central Europe from Poland, Hungary, Russia, and the Czech Republic at Camerimage a few years ago. 

Until such halcyon days when finance is plentiful, cinematographers can count their blessings that they work in a great profession where the benefit of teamwork and generosity enables us to share two remarkable festivals. It should not be difficult to guess the favourite of Freddie Francis BSC and many others. 

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Nigel Walters BSC was awarded the Honorary Golden Camera 300 at this year’s festival for “his exceptional, professional, altruistic engagements to the cause of world cinematographers, working with full dedication as long-standing secretary of IMAGO and sincere collaborator of the Manaki Brothers Film Festival, either as moderator of the masterclasses with the festival’s main laureates of The Lifetime Achievement Award or supporter and animator of the Balkan IMAGO Movement. He has also written articles about each edition of the event in British Cinematographer.” 

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MANAKI BROTHERS 2O22 COMPETITION WINNERS 

Golden Camera 300 – The Eight Mountains (Cin: Ruben Impens SBC) 

Silver Camera 300 – The Hand of God (Cin: Daria D’Antonio) 

Bronze Camera 300 – Drive my Car (Cin: Hidetoshi Shinomiya JSC) 

Iron Camera 300 for Best Documentary – Mara (Dir/Cin: Sasha Kulak) 

Best Student Film Award – Widow and Orphan (Dir: Niklas Pollmann. Cin: Simone Hart and Christian Neuberger) 

Small Golden Camera 300 – Warsha (Cin: Shadi Chaaban) 

Special Golden Camera 300 – John Mathieson BSC 

Golden Camera 300 Lifetime Achievement – Anthony Dod Mantle BSC ASC DFF