This year’s edition was notable not only for its compelling slogan, but also for the rich diversity of international productions that graced its stages, featuring 10 performances from countries such as Germany, France, Brazil and Serbia.
The festival opened with Antigone in the Amazon, directed by Milo Rau, one of today’s most influential directors. This piece is a political and ecological commentary set against the backdrop of the Amazon rainforest and its destruction, drawing on the ancient Greek tragedy of Antigone to highlight modern-day struggles against capitalism and environmental exploitation. Rau’s bold direction, which featured live interactions with indigenous groups in the Amazon, was hailed as a highlight of the festival. The Grand Prix of this year’s BITEF went to Jasna Žmak’s this is my truth, tell me yours, an experimental production that played with audience expectations and offered a deep reflection on subjective truths in a post-truth era.
The Jovan Ćirilov Special Award was shared between Sex Education II: Fight, directed by Tjaša Črnigoj, which explored themes of gender and power dynamics through an intimate yet confrontational lens, and The Bride and the Goodnight Cinderella by Carolina Bianchi, a powerful piece examining violence against women in both personal and societal contexts.
Milo Rau’s bold direction in Antigone in the Amazon, which featured live interactions with Indigenous groups in the Amazon, was hailed as a highlight of the festival
Milo Rau won the Politika Award for Best Directing for Antigone in the Amazon, further cementing his place as a master of political and ecological theatre. His daring use of real-world activism blended with performance art left a lasting impression on both the jury and the audience.
The jury for BITEF 2024 included some of the most respected names in international theatre. Apart from Milo Rau, who had the dual role of participant and juror, the panel featured several prominent figures, such as Brazilian theatre critic and scholar Luiz Fernando Ramos, Serbian actress and director Mirjana Karanović, German theatre critic Thomas Irmer, Croatian choreographer and performer Bruno Isaković. Their combined expertise ensured a balanced and thoughtful selection of winners from the eclectic lineup of performances.
This year’s BITEF was not without its controversies and memorable moments. The provocative nature of some plays, particularly those dealing with raw social issues like sexuality and violence, sparked heated debates. The Bride and the Goodnight Cinderella stirred strong reactions from the audience, some of whom were visibly unsettled by its direct portrayal of gender-based violence. Despite the divisive opinions, the production’s powerful message resonated, especially in the context of ongoing global conversations around women’s rights and violence.
Moreover, logistical challenges also marked the festival, with some performers reportedly facing difficulties arriving on time due to the complex international travel situation. Nonetheless, the festival team managed to pull off a seamless event, and audience engagement remained high throughout the festival’s duration.
