3 Weeks After (Serbian: 3 nedelje posle) is a internationally co-produced Serbian 2026 drama film directed by Miroslav Terzić, who co-wrote the screenplay with Vladimir Arsenijević and Bojan Vuletić.[1] Starring Jovan Ginić, Klara Hrvanović, Andjela Alavirević, Tihana Lazović, and Branislav Trifunović, the film inspired by real events follows a group of high school students whose class trip takes an unsettling turn after they become stranded in a remote mountain hotel, where the recent suicide of one of their classmates resurfaces unresolved grief and hidden tensions.[2]
| 3 Weeks After | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Serbian | 3 nedelje posle |
| Directed by | Miroslav Terzić |
| Screenplay by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Damjan Radovanović |
| Edited by | Marko Ferković |
| Music by |
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Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Bendita Film Sales |
Release date |
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Running time | 94 minutes |
| Countries |
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| Language | Serbian |
The film, a co-production between Serbia, Bulgaria, Italy, Croatia, and Luxembourg premiered at 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 7 July 2026, where it was nominated for the Crystal Globe,[3][4] and won the Europa Cinemas Label Award. [5]
Cast
edit- Jovan Ginić as Tsosta (Zoza)
- Klara Hrvanović
- Andjela Alavirević
- Tihana Lazović
- Branislav Trifunović
Production
editMiroslav Terzić began writing the film in 2023. During the screenplay's development, a mass shooting at a school in Serbia, the director's home country, occurred, lending additional contemporary resonance to the film's exploration of adolescent trauma and loss. For the casting process, the filmmakers auditioned around 500–600 children and teenagers before selecting a final ensemble of 24 young performers. The director encouraged the cast to improvise extensively during rehearsals and filming.[6]
Release
edit3 Weeks After had its world premiere at the 60th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 7 July 2026 in Crystal Globe Competition.[7] The Bendita Film Sales has acquired the international sales rights of the film.[8]
The film will have its Croatian premiere on 14 July 2026 at the Pula Film Festival.[9][2]
Reception
editIn his review at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, David Acacia of the International Cinephile Society rated the film with 4 stars out of five and praised the lead actor Jovan Ginić for his "compelling performance". Acacia wrote that despite its heavy themes, a sly streak of dark humour keeps the film feeling surprisingly fresh. Concluding his review Acacia made a profound observation that solving hard problems or setting the standard is never simple, which is exactly why those with power must use it to safeguard those without.[10] Vladan Petkovic, reviewing the film at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival for Cineuropa, praised it as a visually striking and emotionally unsettling drama. He noted that the film's surreal opening immediately establishes its themes. Petkovic commended Miroslav Terzić's artistic direction, writing that although Vladimir Arsenijević's screenplay is structurally straightforward and issue-driven, the director approaches it with "a very artistic, clearly defined sensibility." Petkovic also praised Damjan Radovanović's cinematography, the unsettling sound design and LP Duo's tension-filled electronic score for creating an atmosphere of psychological dread. He praised the performances of the young cast, particularly Jovan Ginić as the emotionally fragile Tzotza. Concluding the review he wrote that the film raises complex questions about individual and collective responsibility, suggesting that its moral ambiguities are likely to "provoke divided reactions" among audiences.[11]
Accolades
edit| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karlovy Vary International Film Festival | 11 July 2026 | Crystal Globe Grand Prix | 3 Weeks After | Nominated | [12] |
| Europa Cinemas Label Award | Won | [13] | |||
| Pula Film Festival | 16 July 2026 | Golden Arena – Best Croatian Minority Coproduction | Ines Vasiljevic | Pending | [14] |
References
edit- ↑ Terzić, Miroslav (2 July 2026). "3 Weeks After". Cineuropa. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 Đukić, Tara (3 July 2026). "A Serbian film inspired by real events is set to define the summer ahead". Vogue Adria. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ Minton, Matt (6 July 2026). "'3 Weeks After' Director on Tackling 'Everyday' Peer Violence and Why Conversations About Suicide in Bulgaria Happen Too Late: 'We Don't Notice the Fire'". Variety. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "3 Weeks After". Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. 3 June 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Georg Szalai (11 July 2026). "Karlovy Vary: '3 Weeks After' Wins Europa Cinemas Label Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ Georg Szalai (5 July 2026). "'3 Weeks After' Is a Timely Film About Peer Violence and "Violence Itself, How It Is Learned, Tolerated"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Tim Dams (2 June 2026). "Karlovy Vary International Film Festival unveils 2026 official selection". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Barraclough, Leo (18 June 2026). "Karlovy Vary Competition Title '3 Weeks After' Acquired by Bendita Film Sales (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "3 Weeks After". Pula Film Festival. 3 June 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ David Acacia (7 July 2026). "Karlovy Vary 2026 review: 3 Weeks After (Miroslav Terzić)". International Cinephile Society. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ Petkovic, Vladan (8 July 2026). "Review: 3 Weeks Afters". Cineuropa. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ Georg Szalai (30 June 2026). "In '3 Weeks After,' Tension Is Simmering After a Teenage Tragedy (Exclusive Trailer)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Non-statutory awards from the 60th KVIFF go to the films Pramen, Zloďějci, Zaddy mi zády síhá leť and Three weeks later". Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. 11 July 2026. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "Awards". Pula Film Festival (in Croatian). 3 June 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
