Distinguished Attendees,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

It is my honor and pleasure to greet you in the Macedonian film capital. In Bitola. To greet you at the opening of the 34th International Cinematographers Film Festival "Manaki Brothers". The oldest festival in the world that values the author's contribution of the directors of photography.

Esteemed Excellencies,

The motto of the festival encourages us to ask ourselves what light is. It is said that light gives meaning to everything. That without light even dark is meaningless. Light shows the path, discloses the hidden and reveals the truth.

Human paths to truth often lead through religion, philosophy or science. Probably the most intriguing, most unpredictable and most creative, indeed, is the path that leads to truth through art.

In this great quest, the seventh, the unifying art has proved to be the most successful. Art that sheds light on what it means to live, create and produce. Art that sheds light on human prejudices, fears and illusions, but also dreams, ideas and aspirations. It sheds light on the past, helps in understanding the present and gives projections for the future. Even when it makes use of the visual effect illusions for this purpose.

The people who are most deserving for this festival, speak of this too, the first Macedonian and Balkan Cinematographers, the brothers Janaki and Milton Manaki. Casting light on their presence, they have shed light on one part of our past and enabled us to have a clearer vision of the future. Through the lens of the legendary "Camera 300", they did not allow the darkness to swallow our cultural past. Instead, they have preserved, promoted and affirmed our culture, history and everyday life.

What Milton and Janaki have initiated, has been successfully continued with the festival for more than three decades. Over the years, the festival has become a promoter of the Republic of Macedonia, of the Macedonian cinematography and culture in Europe and worldwide. More importantly, the Festival has become a link between the top films and the true film admirers.

Lovers of the magic of the motion pictures,
Dear Friends,

The shadows on the movie screen imply that there is light somewhere near. Therefore, let the light prevail in our lives. With this thought, at the very end, I declare the 34th International Film Festival "Manaki Brothers" open!

Thank you.