Juraj Lerotić

Juraj Lerotić, born in 1978 in Kiel, Germany, later relocated to Croatia, where he pursued studies in early childhood education and theology. He ultimately graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb, specializing in Film and TV Directing. Lerotić made his mark in the film industry with his first short film, *Then I See Tanja* (2010), which garnered the prestigious Golden Pram award at the Zagreb Film Festival.

His journey in feature filmmaking began with *Safe Place* (2022), a project he not only wrote and directed but also starred in. The film premiered at the Locarno Film Festival, where it was featured in the Concorso Cineasti del presente program. Lerotić's exceptional work on *Safe Place* earned him recognition, winning both Best Director and Best Debut Feature Film awards. Additionally, he achieved significant acclaim at the Sarajevo Film Festival, where he secured two awards: a Sarajevo Heart for Best Film and Best Actor.

Through his innovative storytelling and directorial prowess, Juraj Lerotić has established himself as a prominent figure in contemporary cinema, marked by a series of accolades that highlight his contributions to the film industry.