ZAGREB, 11 Sept (Hina) – The official part of the eighth History Film Festival began on Tuesday at the Art Cinema in Rijeka, featuring 17 historical documentary films competing for awards.

The program includes one world premiere, two European premieres, and 15 Croatian premieres, festival’s executive director Tiha Modriić said.

The winners in nine categories will be decided by an international jury composed of American film and television producer Shawn Rhodes, American director John Alexander, and Austrian director and cinematographer Gernot Stadler.

An audience award will also be presented, decided by a five-member jury of film enthusiasts who are not part of the film industry.

The festival was officially opened by Rijeka Mayor Marko Filipoviić.

The History Film Festival is currently the only international film festival in the world focused exclusively on historical documentary films created by independent and TV production companies