Film Community Mourns Vjosa Berisha

Vjosa Berisha, the founder and director of Prishtina International Film Festival – PriFest, a producer and a member of European Film Academy passed away on June 23, at University College Hospital in London. Berisha who was only 50 years old has been fighting cancer since March 2021. She is survived by her son Leke and husband Fatos Berisha.

Vjosa Berisha is a pioneer in the cinema of Kosovo. She founded the festival immediately after the country’s declaration of independence despite immense difficulties and managed to gather international support. The quickly growing festival is now an important cinema event for the Balkan region and an efficient co-production market. The 14th edition of PriFest had been scheduled for August 23-28, 2022.

Her legacy goes beyond festival organization and film production. A graduate of University of Westminster, she worked for political campaigns leading Kosovo to independence. 

Alin Tasciyan
© FIPRESCI 2022