Bumbarovo ljeto - SOLD OUT

Director: Daniel Kušan; Croatia; 2025.; 85'

Winner of the Audience Award at the recent Pula Film Festival, this family adventure tells the story of an unforgettable summer for its young hero. Filmed on the island of Zlarin, the movie follows a group of children living on a small Adriatic isle whose usual summer routine is disrupted by the arrival of Karlo - a city boy with a vivid imagination and a flair for drama. When Karlo’s telescope picks up a mysterious flash in the night sky, he leads the gang - headed by the jealous Bumbar - on a thrilling nighttime quest.

At an abandoned lighthouse, they discover Chiku, a frightened boy from Africa, and soon realize that the “meteor” wasn’t a rock from the sky but the wreck of a smuggling operation at sea. Pursued by a sinister Man in Black, the children hide Chiku and set out to expose a human trafficking ring. The tension reaches a climax when Bumbar uncovers the true identity of their pursuer. Torn between loyalty to friends and family, Bumbar ultimately stands with the group; Chiku is saved, and the smuggler ends up behind bars. What began as a summer threatened by boredom turns into an adventure that changes these children forever.

Director Daniel Kušan - known for his acclaimed films about Koko, a beloved character from Croatian children’s literature - dedicates Bumbarevo ljeto to the classic films that shaped his childhood. Blending mystery, thrilling crime elements, and a cast of memorable characters, the film celebrates the power of friendship, the importance of acceptance, and the strength found in unity.