Neum Underwater Film Festival 2025 – Films that Connect Worlds

Neum, August 28–30, 2025 | Hotel Zenit

A unique festival connecting the underwater world, film, and ecology will once again take place on the Adriatic coast of Herzegovina – the Neum Underwater Film Festival 2025, from August 28 to 30 at Hotel Zenit.

This international festival brings together authors from more than 90 countries, divers, environmental activists, artists, and an audience eager for a different experience of the sea. The festival represents a fusion of tourism, culture, ecology, and science, transforming Neum into a European hub of underwater art.Entrance to all festival events is free.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Born out of a passion for the sea and underwater creativity, and organized by the Association Standard, the festival has become one of the rare events in Europe and the world dedicated exclusively to underwater film.Over the past five years, it has promoted young authors, opened doors to international cooperation, and raised ecological awareness among audiences. Its significance is also reflected in its contribution to the local community – not only as a cultural event, but as a driver of tourism and economic prosperity in Neum.This year marks the festival’s fifth edition, and for the first time, its importance has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Fund of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which joined in supporting the event.The program includes film screenings, exhibitions, educational workshops, panels, and networking events. The audience will enjoy films exploring the relationship between humans and the sea, unveiling the beauty of underwater flora and fauna, while also addressing the ecological challenges facing seas and oceans.

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

August 28 – Film Day• 17:00 | Screenings of young authors “Fest & Val”, side and off program•

20:00 | Official film selection in competition•

22:00 | Art exhibition & evening entertainment programAugust 29 – Ecology & Art Day• 18:00 | Eco-educational workshop “Sea and People”•

19:30 | Official selection & award ceremony•

22:00 | Networking “Artists in the Network” & evening entertainmentAugust 30 – Education & Community Day• 12:00 | Educational workshop “Underwater World”•

13:00 | Creative Europe for Festivals

INTERNATIONAL JURY – THE STRENGTH OF DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES

The best films will be chosen by an international jury of distinguished names from the fields of film, photography, music, diving, media, and art.

Jury Members 2025:

Ante Džono – professional diver & firefighter from Neum

Slaven Vlašić – leading Getty Images photographer in New York city.

Marino Pelajić – musician, former member of Azra, Film, Haustor from Zagreb

Antonio Slavujević – designer, visual artist & festival designer from Zagreb

Lorenzo Moscia – Italian documentary filmmaker & underwater author, awarded in Best Eco Film NUFF 2022

Jurica Gašpar – editor & founder of Morski HR and Morska TV

Maja Raguž – historian, co-founder of Neum Online•

Tamara Bekčić – director of PR agency Chapter 4 from Belgrade

Gareth Bartlett – UK multimedia artist & diver, Grand Prix NUFF 2021•

Dražen Obad – organizer of Neum’s Lignjolov event

Akin Bağcılar – Turkish underwater filmmaker, Grand Prix NUFF 2023•

Mike Frankel – American journalist & producer, Woodstock and Beatles’ photographer in US during 60s.

Igor Filipović Fila – Croatian film directorTheir diverse expertise ensures that underwater stories are evaluated from multiple perspectives – artistic, ecological, cultural, and scientific.

AWARDS

Films will compete in six prestigious categories, including:•

Grand Prix•

Best Eco Underwater Film•

Best (Original) Music in an Underwater Film

Best Camera

Best BH Underwater Film•

Audience Award

The international jury will present the awards, giving winners global recognition and opportunities for professional growth.

Neum

The Neum Underwater Film Festival is a true center of underwater art and film.In this peaceful Mediterranean paradise, where tradition and community values are preserved, the festival becomes a meeting point where art and ecology build bridges. It is not only an infrastructural contribution to tourism and economic growth, but also an orientation toward universal values of peace, kindness, and togetherness.

Audiences and authors from more than 90 countries find in Neum a place where good can prevail – through images of underwater beauty, through dialogue and cooperation, and through the ecological and artistic message the festival conveys.The festival attracts divers, sea lovers, scientists, artists, and tourists seeking an experience they cannot find elsewhere – a calming and inspiring journey into the underwater world through film, multimedia, exhibitions, and education.Full details, films in competition, and updates available at: www.uff.ba

Official festival social media:@neumunderwaterfilmfestival#NeumUFF2025 #UnderwaterFilmFestival #Neum #Film #Ecology #UnderwaterArt #SeaAndPeople #UnderwaterWorld