Xhanfize Keko (1928-2007)
“Teta Xhano”, “People’s Artist”, director, well-known screenwriter of the children’s film, a film that has been missing for a long time now for young viewers.
Xhanfise Keko was born in the city of Gjirokastër on January 27, 1928. In 1945, she will start working as a ticket-seller near the “Republika” cinema. Thanks to this work, she will discover cinematography and fall in love with it.
Thus, in the 1950 film, she will start work at the Cinematographic Company and together in a group of seven people, among whom Endri Keko, Petraq Lubonja, Sokrat Musha, Jani Nano, Koço Tollko, etc. stand out, will complete a specialization in Moscow (Russia), where will also meet his life partner, the well-known director Endri Keko.
On her return to her homeland in 1952, she will be one of the seven founders of the Kinostudio “Shqiperia e Re” where she initially started working as an editor and then as a director of documentary films.
Thus, her first films as a director and editor will be in 1952 with the documentary “Folkloric Festival” and “3rd Congress of PPSH”.
After almost 20 years of experience, she directs her first film for children, being the first director in Albania.
Thus, in 1971, the shooting of the film “Uprising in the Palace” began, which will be released to the public in 1972. Further, other films would continue, such as “Mimosa llastica”, “Beni walks by himself”, a film which will be awarded the Cup of The First Albanian Film Festival, “Tomka and his friends”, “After the tracks”, “A small delay”, “Taulanti is looking for a sister”, etc.
These films would make her known and loved by the public.
Xhanfize Keko will represent Albania at various international festivals, where she will be awarded with titles, being the first Albanian director to receive international awards.
Thus: the film “Beni walks by himself” will receive the “Medal of Honor” at the International Film Festival for Children and Youth “Giffone Film Festival”, in Italy, in 1976 and the “Pioneer Organization” Award as “Best Film for Children” at the Film Festival in Belgrade, the film “Tomka and his friends” in 1978 at the Film Festival for Children and Young People in Giffone, Italy, wins the Special Prize, the film “After the Tracks” in 1979 wins the Medal of the President of the Italian Republic , the film “When a film was being shot” in 1983 was awarded the “Silver Medal” at the International Film Festival for Children and Young People “Giffone Film Festival” in Italy.
But even at home she would be appreciated for her great work in children’s cinematography. Thus, Xh. Keko in addition to the Festival Cup for the film “Beni walks by himself” will be evaluated at the Third Albanian Film Festival with the “Third Prize” for the film “After the Tracks”.
She will be awarded the “Grand Prize of the Republic” in 1979. In 1979, she will be awarded the title of “Merited Artist” while 5 years later she will also be awarded the high title of “People’s Artist”.
Married to the director of known Endri Keko was the mother of two children of Teodori, the well-known writer, and Iliri.
“Teto Xhano” passed away on December 22, 2007.
In her honor, the Special Award of the Film Festival for Children and Young People “Giffoni-Albania” is titled “Grand Prize “Xhanfize Keko”.
Director Feature Film
1984 — Taulanti is looking for a sister
1982 — A little delay
1981 — When a movie was shot
1980 — Little Partisan Velo
1978 — After the Tracks
1977 — Tomka and His Friends
1976 — Sounds of War
1975 — Ben Walks by himself
1974 — The Youngest City in the World
1973 — Mimosa the spoiler kid
1972 — Uprising in the Palace
1971 — Abc… zh
Documentary Film
1976 — Mountaineers behind the commissars
1976 — With the people for the people
1972 — 6th Congress of PPSH
1972 — School, sounds, colors
1970 — Sounds and children
1969 — From Children’s Artistic Festival
1968 — Up the flags of the Actions
1968 — Tempering through the Actions
1967 — They break forward
1967 — Heroic Albanian women ahead
1967 — Tempering for the defense of the Motherland
1966 — Great friendship, combat unity
1963 — Story for working people
1961 — Revival
1952 — 3rd Congress of PPSH
1952 — Folkloric Festival
Editing Director of Artistic Film
1978 — After the tracks
1977 — Tomka and his friends
1975 — Ben walks by himself
1974 — The Youngest City in the World
1969 — Old Wounds
1967 — Triumph Over Death
1966 — Echos on the Coast
Documentary
1970 — Sounds and Children
1969 — From the Children’s Artistic Festival
1967 — They Break Forward
1967 — Heroic Albanian Women Ahead
1967 — Tempering for the defense of Motherland
1963 — Story for working people
1961 — Revival
1952 — 3rd Congress of PPSH
1952 — Folkloric Festival
Screenwriter Artistic Film
1984 — Taulanti is looking for a sister
1982 – – A small delay
1981 — When a film was shot
Awards and Titles
1975 Republic Award First Class for the Direction of the film “Ben walks by himself”.
1976 Medal of Honor for Directing the film “Ben Walks by Himself” at the VI International Film Festival for Children and Young People (Giffone Film Festival) held in Giffone Valle Piana, in the province of Salerno (Italy) in 1976.
1976 “Pioneer Organization” Award as “Best Children’s Film” for the Direction of the film “Ben Walks by himself” at the Film Festival held in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1976.
April 11, 1976 Festival Cup for the Film Direction ” Ben walks on his own” at the 1st Albanian Film Festival held in Tirana from April 5 to 11, 1976.
1978 Special Award for Directing the film “Tomka and his friends” at the 8th International Festival of Film for Children and Young People (Giffone Film Festival) held in Giffone Valle Piana, in the province of Salerno (Italy) in 1978.
1979 Silver Medal for the Direction of the film “After the Tracks” at the XI International Film Festival for Children and Young People (Giffone Film Festival) held in Giffone Valle Piana, in the province of Salerno (Italy) in 1979.
1979 Medal of the President of the Italian Republic for Directing the film “After the Tracks” in 1979.
1979 Award of Third for Directing the film “After the Tracks” at the III Albanian Film Festival held in Tirana from April 21 to 28, 1979. 1979 Grand Prix of the Republic
1979 Merited Artist
1983 Silver Medal for Directing of the film “When a film was being shot” at the 13th International Film Festival for Children and Young People “Giffoni Film Festival” in Italy in 1983
1984 People’s Artist
______________
Albanian cinematography in activity since 2013
Follow us: Blog: https://albaniancinematography.blogspot.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ksh.faqjazyrtare Dailymotion: https://www.dailymotion.com/kinetografiashqiptareartisporti YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRYQ5xCyGkfELm3mX8Rhtw
Discover more from Albanian Cinematography - Sport
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
