A Chronography of Albanian Cinema

1897 - An unidentified Italian couple has given film performances in Albanian regions.




1898- Janaq Manaqi (1880-1943?) from the village Avdela, opened/ founded the photo laboratory in Janina; later on his brother- Milto (Miltiadhi)- joined him.



1902- 1903- The English Cinema Company: "Charles Urban Company"starts the first shootings in the albanian regions with the cameraman Charles Rider Noble (1867-1942).

1904- The Italians Petro Cinesse gives film performances with different fragments from the European metropolis in the axis Durres- Manastir




1905- Janaq dhe Milto Manaqi (1882-1964)- that have already transferred their photo laboratory to Manastir- shoot the first film in the albanian regions, "The spinners" (above)



The two brothers Janaq and Milto Manaki



1908- The painter, townplaner, musican and photographer Kol Idromeno (1860-1939) makes possible the first performances of the films of an Albanian in the"Albanian Language"in Shkodra. He went on Performing These Films with his nephew in the coast of Dalmacia. (above)

1908- Milto Manaqi shoots in film the annoucment of "Hyriet", the manifestations of the Albanian patriots about the the "Congress of Manastiri", as well as the arrival of the Albanian detachment in Manastir.



Above the Albanian Detachments and poeple in Monastir, year 1908



Hero Cerciz Topulli left and his detachment right.



1909- M.Manaqi photographs and shoots the "Congress of Dibra".



The Detachment of Dibra



Detachment of Kosturi

1909- Como brothers give the first performances in Manastir. (photo, Kosta Como)


1909- The cinema company "Unitas" of Torino (Italy) shoots the first film during its activity:" Albanie Ribelle".

1911- Starts the permance of films at "Kafe Stema" in Korca.



1912- On the 1 of September is founded the first Public Cinema at the House of Kol Idromeno in Shkodra by Austrian Josef Stauber. The cinema was named "Grand Kinoskioptiko- Theatri Eletrik.



1912- The Albanain actor Alexsander Moisi interprets in the first long footage German Film "Black Fate" (Das Shwarze Los)- an Art comedy



Alexander Moissi on the "Black Fate"



1914- Austrian Cinema Company "Sascha Filmfabrik" shoots the coming of the German prince V.de Wied in Albania and the declaration of Durres as the capital, as well as different views from Tirana and Durres.(3 pictures)




Tirana 1914





Durres 1914

1920-September- the patriot Kojdhel Zilja founds in Vlora the first public cinema by an Albanian, "Perparimi" cinema



1922- The Dane director shoots the film "Once upon a time", whose subject deals with Illyri and the main character is an Illyrian prince.



1923- On the 1st of December, Manaki brothers start the regular performances of the films in their cinema in Monastir "Manaki Cinema"



1924- The Albanian actor and tenor Kristaq Antoniu (1907-1979) starts his interpretation in the Romanian Cinema with a role in the film : "Gjynahu i pare"The first sin, and continued with the films "Janku Zhianu" and the "Outlaws"



"The Outlaws"



Janku Zhianu



1925- Eleni Qirici was born. She was a dancer and the first Albanian actress of cinema. In 1938 she gave her first performances in Albania and interpreted in two American films of the MGM(Metro Goldwin Mayer)association. E.Qirici(center)



Elena Qirici


1926- The visit of President Ahmet Zogu in Shkodra is shot in film by "Luce"




1927- Is shot by the Italians the film "The cousin from Albania"Nanu la cugina d"Albania in "Nacional" Cinema-Theater in 1930

1927- On 21st of November is founded in Korca "LUX" Cinema




1927- On the 30th of April is founded in Korca the anonymous organization "Cinematro" which invested for the building of the "Majestik" cinema. "Majestik" will be founded later that year on 25th of December.



1928- On the 1st of September are shot in film the official ceremonies for the announcement of Ahmet Zogu the King of Albania

1931-On the 27th of July was performed the first sound film in Albania, at "National" cinema in Tirana, "Rabacuori" (Heart Stealer)




1932- On the 4th of October was born in New York Stan Asllan Dragoti, Albanian-American painter and director. At the moment he deals with the advertisement industry in New York.

1932- Was shot by the Germans the first sound documentary film in the Albanian regions which was accompanied by Albanian music.



1934- October 6th, Dhimiter Canco founds in Tirana "Gloria" Cinema, today "Millenium 1"

1938- Was shot by many European Cinema Companies the documentary film "The wedding of King Zog I with the Hungarian Countess, Geraldine Apony"

1939- On 31 of October the Albanian government reached an agreement with the Italian Cinema Association ENIC for the management, provision and the performance of the films in Albania, Which became a monopoly of the Italians.




1940- Is shot in Albania by the Italians "Tirrenia Film" the first long footage feature film with an Albanian subject " The Knight of Kruja"



1940-1943- The first Albanian director Mihallaq Mone( born in Vlora, 1917) shoots some documentary films with subject from his hometown of Vlora: "Marriage in Narta", "Hunting in Karaburun", etc as well as the film "The sons of Scanderbeg Eagle" which was honored with the third prize at the Festival of Venice.

1942- On September 30th is founded in Tirana the first cinema (Shoqeria)organization for the shooting of films in Albania "Tomorri Fil"



"Meeting at the Lake"



Merita Sokoli



1943- Mihallaq Mone shoots the first Albanian short-footage feature film "Meeting at the Lake" The events take place in Saint Naum and the Lake of Pogradec and the actors which cast are Kristaq Antoniu, Merita Sokoli(photo)


The Chronography Shown above is the work of Abaz Hoxha, The Historian of the Albanian Cinematography, and the author of 17 books, on the Albanian Cinema


Abaz Hoxha