The late artist Andy Warhol wrote in his 1975 book, “The Philosophy of Andy Warhol”: “They always say time changes things. But you actually have to change them yourself.”

The International Documentary and Short Film Festival – DokuFest has grown into one of the brightest beacons for international filmmakers the world over. This year’s edition had a very specific theme, expressed with the taglines: “Change, Don’t Hide.” And, “Change it yourself.” Warhol would have been extraordinarily pleased.

Change sometimes happens quite quickly. There was a rapid and immediate call and response that directly illustrated the growing influence of DokuFest. At the opening ceremonies for the festival’s 13th edition on Aug. 16, Artistic Director Veton Nurkollari explained to the audience that there were plans afoot for the Kino Bahce, where they were gathered, to be privatized.

“I’d like to encourage you to join us on our journey of change, a journey we started so passionately 12 years ago in the garden of a beautiful open-air cinema, that same cinema that is now being threatened with demolition,” Nurkollari said. “We simply cannot and will not accept losing a place responsible for the birth of DokuFest.” The opening film this year was called “Everyday Rebellion.”

In Kosovo, as has been seen many times before, privatization has come to mean the destruction of a precious resource in exchange for an unnecessary eyesore, rarely benefitting the community it is supposed to serve. Would the Kino that sits in the city center be turned into another parking lot, another shopping mall? No one knew.

What was acknowledged, however, was that the organisers of DokuFest hoped that they could maintain enough pressure on the government to keep it as a cherished place of national interest for its historic and cultural value.

Just nine days later at the closing ceremonies last Sunday, there was a response. Oddly, it came from the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, instead of that of Kosovo’s own PM, Hashim Thaci. Rama told the packed crowd that Kino Bahce would, indeed, be safe from privatization and would be protected as a cultural heritage site, placed back in the safekeeping of the community that has single-handedly kept it going with no support whatsoever, maintaining a safe haven for film screenings, live music shows, and cultural events for the families of Prizren. Suffice to say, the applause and cheers that greeted this announcement were loud and prolonged.

And what does all this have to do with film? What does it have to do with the festival’s continuing push to bring the best of international nonfiction cinema and short film work to Kosovo? It has very much to do with the export and dissemination of Kosovo’s own burgeoning film landscape, a collective push to give the talented filmmakers that reside within Kosovo exposure to the rest of the world. As a film programmer there, I can say that the quality, cinematic excellence and storytelling breadth of Kosovar filmmakers improves annually and this country has much to offer through its emerging artistic talents.

As well, there is a desire on the part of the DokuFest organisation to nurture that talent – starting with programs for high schoolers and university students that provide resources and platforms to teach, instruct and expose the young people of this young nation to work towards a career in the arts and media through practical workshops, master classes and casual social meetings with renowned international guests during the festival’s run. After all, it is the only time the rest of the world comes to Kosovo’s door.