Cinema of Albania


The Cinema of Albania refers to the film industry based in Albania and comprises the art of films and movies made within the country or by Albanian directors abroad. Albania has had an active cinema industry since 1897 and began strong activities in 1940 after the foundation of both the "Kinostudio Shqipëria e Re" and National Center of Cinematography in Tirana.
Early Albanian films were introduced in Albania in 1909 by painter and photographer Kolë Idromeno in Shkodër. Afterwards, the first public screening of foreign films took place over the years.
The motion pictures have won international and prestigious awards and each year new Albanian films are seen at film festivals around the globe.
In consideration to the Albanian diaspora, there are several internationally renowned actors such as the Albanian-Americans Eliza Dushku, Klement Tinaj, Masiela Lusha, Jim and John Belushi, Kosovo-Albanians Bekim Fehmiu and Arta Dobroshi, Greek-Albanian Irene Papas and Turkish-Albanian Barish Arduç.
Albania annually hosts several International Film Festivals. The most important is certainly the Tirana International Film Festival, which takes place in the capital of Tirana. Born in 2008, the Durrës International Film Festival is also among the most prominent exhibitions held in summer at the Amphitheatre of Durrës.

Notable Albanian Films

TitleTranslationYearGenre
SkënderbeuThe Great Warrior Skanderbeg'1954Epic war
Vitet e paraThe First Years1965Historic war
PritaThe Trap1968War
I teti në bronxThe Father in Bronze1970
Mëngjese lufte The Morning War1971Coming of Age
Malet me blerim mbuluarThe Mountains Covered in Tulips 1971
Yjet e netëve të gjataThe Stars of the Long Nights1972Drama
Operacioni zjarriOperation Fire1973War comedy
Rrugicat që kërkonin diellRrugicat që kërkonin diell1975Drama
Lulëkuqet mbi mureRed Poppies on Walls1976Coming of Age Drama
PërballimiThe Confrontation1976
Njeriu me topThe Man with the Cannon1977
Tomka dhe shokët e tijTomka and His Friends1977Coming of Age
Gjeneral GramafoniThe General Gramophone1978
Liri a vdekjeFreedom or Death1979Historic
Nëntori i DytëThe Second November1983
Të paftuaritThe Uninvited1985Psychological
Një jetë më shumëOne More Life1986
Përrallë nga e kaluaraA Tale from the Past1987Comedy
Këmishët ne dyllëThe Cloaks in Wax1987
Rojet e mjegullësThe Keepers of the Fog1988Psychological thriller
Muri i gjallëThe Living Wall1989Medivel
Balada e Kurbinit Ballad of Kurbin1990
Vdekja e KalitThe Death of the Horse1992Psychological drama
Plumbi prej plastelineThe Clay Bullet1994Sci-fi psychological drama
Një ditë nga një jetëA Day from a Life1994
Kolonel BunkerColonel Bunker1998
Tirana Viti ZeroTirana Year Zero2001Comedy
Trishtimi i zonjës ShnajderThe Sorrow of Mrs. Schneider2008Romantic drama
Koha e KometësTime of the Comet2008
East, West, East2009Comedy
AmnistiaAmnesty2011Drama
Falja e gjakutThe Forgiveness of Blood2011
FarmakonPharmakon2012
Mali i HarrumThe Forgotten Mountain''2018Drama