The Chicago Serbian Film Festival will take place December 4–6, 2026, at AMC DINE-IN Rosemont 12 in Rosemont, Illinois.
Audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest films from Serbian cinema, meet distinguished guests, hear the latest news from the Serbian film industry, and celebrate excellence by recognizing outstanding films, directors, actors, and screenwriters.
Under the slogan “Serbian Film on the Other Side of the Dream,” this year’s Festival takes place as America celebrates its 250th anniversary. Over the centuries, Serbs who made America their home have worked to establish their place in American society, bringing with them their language, culture, and art — all of which have become part of the country’s rich multicultural fabric.
This year’s Festival will open with “Guardians of the Icon of St. George,” directed by Jelena Bajić Bojić. The program will continue with “Our Father,” by Goran Stanković; “Yugo Florida,” by Vladimir Tagić; “Accomplices,” by Marko Novaković; “The House,” by Tanja Brzaković; “Index,” by Miloš Živanović; “Mileva Einstein,” by Andrijana Stojković; and “The Only One,” by Denis Bojić.
This Year’s Featured Films
“Guardians of the Icon of St. George” is a powerful drama about a man who, confronted with violence, injustice, and corruption, struggles to protect his home, family, and dignity. Set in contemporary southern Serbia, the film follows Stanoje, a steadfast farmer who refuses to abandon his ancestral land on the slopes of Mount Radan. While caring for his ill father, he faces pressure and threats from an Albanian gang attempting to force him to sell his family property.
“Our Father” is a psychological drama about Dejan, a former addict who finds refuge and hope in an isolated monastery-based rehabilitation community. Under the leadership of Father Branko, a charismatic and authoritarian priest, Dejan gradually rises through the community’s strict hierarchy, embracing its rules and discipline as its methods become increasingly brutal.
In “Yugo Florida,” audiences will encounter the painful reality of a troubled family. This emotional drama follows Zoran, a lonely, chronically sleep-deprived 35-year-old who works the night shift at a reality television station, watching contestants as they sleep. His seemingly directionless life takes an unexpected turn when he learns that his estranged father, Vesa, is seriously ill.
“Accomplices” explores moral dilemmas, personal values, and the conflict between responsibility and comfort. The drama centers on Sofija, a young woman facing the consequences of decisions that transform her life and relationships. In a world where the boundaries between guilt, responsibility, and complicity can easily become blurred, Sofija must find a way to confront the truth and take responsibility for her choices.
“The House” is an emotional drama about returning to one’s roots, family, and the struggle to preserve what belongs to us. After suffering a heart attack, Jovan, a retired architect of Serbian origin who spent most of his life in Germany, refuses his daughter’s pressure to spend the rest of his days in a nursing home. Instead, he travels to Serbia with his grandson Nikola, a young man with Asperger’s syndrome who has almost no social contact, intending to sell the family property in his native village.
“Index” is a powerful documentary-fiction drama about generational conflict, family relationships, and the struggle for justice amid deep social divisions. At its center are Luka, a university student participating in Serbia’s major anti-corruption protests, and his father Dule, a police officer on the opposite side of the street demonstrations. As the country grapples with the consequences of the tragedy caused by the collapse of the railway station canopy in Novi Sad, father and son struggle to reconcile family love, personal convictions, and their sense of social responsibility.
Audiences will also have the opportunity to see an emotional documentary-fiction drama about the life of Mileva Marić Einstein, an extraordinary scientist who, despite her remarkable talent and education, remained in the shadow of her famous husband, Albert Einstein. The film follows her journey from childhood in Titel and her struggle to pursue an education at a time when women had little place in the scientific world, to her studies in Zurich, her relationship with Albert, and their complex intellectual partnership.
“The Only One” is a documentary presenting the deeply moving true story of Velinko Trbić, a war veteran who, after facing some of life’s most difficult challenges, became a symbol of indomitable will, dignity, and the determination to survive.
Be Part of the Festival
Join us as an audience member, sponsor, donor, or volunteer. Enjoy outstanding films and celebrate Serbian cinema on our side of the ocean, as America marks its 250th anniversary.
Where cinema brings shores together, and distances disappear in a single film frame.
