“A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.” - Orson Welles
Jovan Bačvanski was born on February 17, 2000, in Novi Sad, Serbia. He spent his childhood in Podgorica, Montenegro, where he completed both elementary and high school, as well as his undergraduate studies in film at the University of Donja Gorica. He was part of the first generation of the university’s new Film and Media program.
During his studies, he directed several short films, including “My Life Is a Miracle,” “Breakfast,” and “The Compass,” which were screened at various festivals. His work is characterized by carefully composed shots, strong visual aesthetics, and a focus on character development and emotional storytelling through image and music.
He draws inspiration from filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, Mike Flanagan, and other contemporary authors whose works combine powerful visuals with profound narrative depth. In addition to filmmaking, he is passionate about photography, nature, sports, and travel. He currently lives and works in Novi Sad.
Official Selection
Breakfast
Kalakari Film Fest
Dewas
2023
Official Selection
My Life Is a Miracle
Kalakari Film Fest
Dewas
2023
Award Winner - Best International Short Film
The Compass
Golden Lion International Film Festival (GLIFF)
Kolkata
2023
Award Winner - Best Student Film
The Compass
Golden Fox Film Competition
Tokyo
2023
Award Winner - Best Student Filmmaker
The Compass
Golden Fox Film Competition
Tokyo
2023
Award Winner - Best Drama Story Writer
The Compass
Golden Fox Film Competition
Tokyo
2023
Award Winner - Best Production Design
The Compass
Golden Fox Film Competition
Tokyo
2023
Award Winner - Best Short Film
The Compass
Filmzen International Film Competition
Paris
2023
Award Winner - Best Student Film
The Compass
Asian Film Critics Award
New Delhi
2023
Award Winner - Best Student Director
The Compass
Asian Film Critics Award
New Delhi
2023
Award Winner - Best Script For A Short Fiction
The Compass
Asian Film Critics Award
New Delhi
2023
Award Winner - Best Concept
The Compass
Asian Film Critics Award
New Delhi
2023
Award Winner - Best Production Designer
The Compass
Asian Film Critics Award
New Delhi
2023
Award Winner - Satyajit Ray Honorable Award
The Compass
Asian Film Critics Award
New Delhi
2023
Winner - Best Student Film
The Compass
1st Monthly Film Festival
Belgrade
2023
Official Selection
The Compass
French International Cine Awards
Paris
2023
Nominee
The Compass
The Monthly Film Festival
Glasgow
2023
Official Selection
The Compass
Monthly Indie Shorts
Jounieh
2023
Official Selection
The Compass
Snow Leopard International Film Festival
Madrid
2023
Critics Choice Award - Best Cinematography
The Compass
Rohtak International Short Film Festival
Rohtak
2023
Winner - Best Sound Designer
The Compass
Rohtak International Short Film Festival
Rohtak
2023
Winner - Best Director
The Compass
Rohtak International Short Film Festival
Rohtak
2023
Finalist
The Compass
Love Film Festival
Barcelona
2023
Award Winner - Best Student Film
The Compass
South Korean Movie Awards
Busan
2023
Official Selection
The Compass
Kalakari Film Fest
Dewas
2023
Award Winner - Best Drama
The Compass
Miseentage International Film Awards
Kolkata
2023
Award Winner- Best Student Film
The Compass
ScreenLight Independent Film Festival
Paris
2023
Official Selection
The Compass
Geneve Awards
Geneve
2023
Award Winner - Best Student Filmmaker of the Year
The Compass
Philippines International Film Carnival
Manila
2023
Showcase
The Compass
Decembarska Umjetnička Scena - DEUS 2022
Podgorica
2022
Official Selection
The Compass
4th Screen - Online Film Awards
2022
Official Selection (non-competitive)
The Compass
Mojkovačka Filmska Jesen
Mojkovac
2022
Finalist
My Life Is a Miracle
8. VIVA FILM FESTIVAL
Sarajevo
2022
Official Selection
My Life Is a Miracle
16th International Short and Independent Film Festival
Dhaka
2022
Quarter-Finalist
Breakfast
Serbest International Film Festival (SIFF)
Kishinev
2022
College
University of Donja Gorica
Film and Media
20192022
Birth Date
February 17, 2000
Birth City
Novi Sad, Serbia
Current City
Novi Sad
Hometown
Novi Sad
Height
188
Gender
Male
Ethnicity
Serbian
Eye Color
Brown
Zodiac Sign
Aquarius
Married To
Kristina Bačvanski
“The most honest form of filmmaking is to make a film for yourself.”
- Peter Jackson
“I don't dream at night, I dream at day, I dream all day; I’m dreaming for a living.”
- Steven Spielberg
“If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, on where you stop your story.”
- Orson Welles
“Create your own visual style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable to others.”
- Orson Welles
“All good ideas start out as bad ideas, that's why it takes so long.”
- Steven Spielberg
“The more successful the villain, the more successful the picture.”
- Alfred Hitchcock
“A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in the head of a poet.” - Orson Welles
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