More than 270 people and groups came together yesterday, 12 July 2026, to take part in one of the most ambitious scenes in the upcoming feature film Azra.
The roundabout between Stožice and Žale was temporarily closed at intervals for the filming of the film’s final dance sequence. The shoot involved 11 actors, 11 professional dancers and more than 250 additional dancers and extras, who joined the production following a public call from the filmmaking team.
Performers of all generations danced their way into the roundabout on bicycles, scooters and skateboards, as well as in cars and aboard a bus. Dressed in colourful costumes and carrying bright umbrellas, they helped create one of the film’s central sequences — a celebration of life, connection and the courage to begin again, expressed through music and dance.
Bringing the sequence to life required several months of preparation and close coordination between the directing, production, choreography and traffic management teams. With a large number of performers, vehicles and choreographed movements, combined with the complexity of filming on a public road, it was one of the most logistically demanding shooting days of the entire production.
Volunteers also played an important role in creating the sequence. Their participation gave the final scene the authentic energy and atmosphere of a real crowd.
Filming of Azra is continuing according to schedule. The summer shoot is taking place at various locations in Ljubljana and Vipava, while the winter filming period will follow in November and December.
Filming has begun on Azra, the first Slovenian feature film musical produced within the national film programme.
Directed by Tijana Zinajić, who co-wrote the screenplay with Deja Crnović and Iza Strehar, the film tells a moving and intimate story about memory, family secrets, intergenerational wounds and the strength it takes to find freedom and begin again.
Shooting began on Saturday, 4 July, and will take place in two blocks. The summer block will be filmed in Ljubljana and Vipava, with the winter block to follow in November and December. Thirty shooting days are planned in total.
As the first Slovenian film musical produced within the national film programme, the film brings together an emotional story with musical and dance sequences in a distinctive way.
The title role of Azra is played by Polona Juh, one of Slovenia’s most prominent stage and film actresses. She is joined by Suzana Krevh as the younger Azra and Jerca Koprivšek as Azra as a child, Viktorija Jakin as Azra’s daughter Jelena, Jure Henigman as Niko, Nina Valič as Katarina, Mia Skrbinac as Zarja, and Klara Kuk and Roza Andolšek as the younger Zarja. Primož Bezjak plays Uroš, Vesna Pernarčič plays Pavla, and Uroš Fürst appears as Janez.
For director Tijana Zinajić, Azra holds special meaning: “You write, submit the project, wait for an answer, dream, repeat — and then sometimes the funding comes through and you are happy! I am overjoyed. This is without doubt the most personal project of my life. Let it begin!”
Producers Lija Pogačnik and Vlado Bulajić of the production company December note that this is their second collaboration with the director, whose previous feature film Prasica, slabšalni izraz za žensko was a major success with audiences and critics alike. At the 24th Festival of Slovenian Film in Portorož, it won seven Vesna awards, including Best Feature Film.
The film is directed by Tijana Zinajić, with Miloš Srdić as director of photography, Anže Verdel as editor, Neža Zinajić and Adrijana Furlan as production designers, Urška Recer as costume designer, Lija Ivančič as make-up designer, and Laren Polič Zdravič as composer and arranger. The choreography is created by Lada Petrovski Ternovšek and Žigan Krajnčan, and the executive producer is Nena Janković.
The film is produced by Zavod December with the support of the Slovenian Film Centre, Viba Film and the Creative Europe MEDIA programme. Following filming and post-production, the film will be presented to audiences next year; the premiere date will be announced at a later date.
The team behind the feature film Azra invites individuals, families, societies, clubs and other organised groups to take part in the shoot of the film’s large-scale finale scene.
The shoot will take place on Sunday, 12 July, between 1.30 and 7.00 pm, at the roundabout between Stožice and Žale in Ljubljana.
Azra, the new feature film by director Tijana Zinajić, marks an important milestone for Slovenian cinema as the first Slovenian feature musical supported through the Slovenian Film Centre’s national film programme.
For the finale scene, which celebrates life through song and dance, the filmmakers want to bring together as many diverse people and communities as possible in front of the camera. They invite all generations: individuals, families and friends, as well as dance, sports and cultural associations, choirs, youth organisations and other groups that help shape the pulse of Slovenian society.
The aim is to create a large-scale scene that reflects the diversity of society and the energy of the community, and to make it one of the film’s defining moments.
DateSunday, 12 July 2026
Time1.30–7.00 pm
LocationThe roundabout between Stožice and Žale, Ljubljana
Extrasno limit
Applications should be sent to the email address below. Please include: