The South East European Movie Competition in Los Angeles has wrapped its 20th version with the presentation of jury and viewers awards.
DJ Ahmet, directed by North Macedonian filmmaker Georgi M. Unkovski, received SEEfest‘s Grand Jury Prize for Greatest Function Movie.
“A lyrical coming of age story set in a Yuruk village in North Macedonia – manages to be each deeply relatable and rapturously authentic,” wrote the jury, comprised of Tessa Blake, Robert Bailey, and Marlis Pujol. “With lovely and evocative cinematography and nuanced storytelling, Georgi M. Unkovski (author/director) captures the common ache of a younger man looking for his place on this planet. Using the deeply particular particulars of the setting, Unkovski creates a wealthy and sophisticated expertise, saturating us in Ahmet’s viewpoint. The performances are attractive permitting the movie to envelop the viewers in its humanist grace.”
‘DJ Ahmet’
Movies Boutique
DJ Ahmet, starring Arif Jakup, Agush Agushev, and Aksel Mehme, additionally received the Viewers Award at SEEfest, and the Cinema With out Borders’ “Bridging the Borders” award, sponsored by 360 MEDIA. That provides to a powerful record of wins for the drama, which premiered at Sundance in January, the place it earned a Particular Jury Award for Artistic Imaginative and prescient, in addition to the Viewers Award. It additionally received Greatest Function Movie on the current Desertscape Worldwide Movie Competition in Southern Utah.
The SEEfest jury prize comes with a money award furnished by Montage Media. “Congratulations in your movie profitable SEEfest 2025!” Montage Media President E’Ian West stated in an announcement. “Your storytelling and execution clearly mirror the time, dedication, and keenness you poured into this undertaking. We’re really impressed by your work and eagerly stay up for your subsequent inventive endeavor. As a token of our help, Montage Media Manufacturing Firm will likely be awarding you a money prize once you enter pre-production in your subsequent undertaking. Right here’s to extra highly effective tales forward!”
‘The New 12 months That By no means Got here’
Kinotopia
SEEfest’s Greatest Ensemble Award went to The New 12 months That By no means Got here, directed by Bogdan Mureșanu. “A brilliantly rendered tragicomedy, The New 12 months That By no means Got here creates a vivid kaleidoscope of humanity by means of overlapping tales on the eve of the Romanian revolution,” jurors wrote. “Capturing the quiet madness of residing in a dictatorship, author/director Bogdan Mureșanu saturates his story within the particulars of rage and worry. The actors convey extraordinary depth and nuance to each second. It’s a stunning movie with a exceptional ensemble of performers.” Scroll for the whole record of SEEfest winners.
‘On the Door of the Home, Who Will Come Knocking’
Lightdox
Within the nonfiction movie classes, On the Door of the Home, Who Will Come Knocking, directed and shot by Maja Novaković, received two prizes, together with Greatest Documentary Movie.
“How can a movie with hardly any plot or dialogue seize you by the lapels and never let go? See this movie and discover out!” wrote the jury comprised of Sarah Anthony and Gabi Hayes. “An outdated man and his horse share an intense bond as they survive the chilly and lonely winter within the snowy Bosnian countryside. Every beautiful body is sort of a portray. We’re nonetheless fascinated about it weeks later. It was our favourite movie.”
Maja Novaković’s movie additionally received Greatest Cinematography In A Documentary Movie. The jury in that class, made up of Ivan Cordeiro, Mark Hayes, and Denny Dugally, wrote, “In At The Door Of The Home Who Will Come Knocking, isolation is skillfully portrayed by means of an atmospheric setting, giving the story a fascinating, dreamlike high quality paying homage to a folktale. The narrative unfolds and evolves over time, steadily peeling away psychological layers and including depth by means of artistic additions. Director Maja Novakovic strikes a stability between restraint and delicate nudging, permitting the story to breathe whereas sometimes including refined touches to coax it ahead. Her very intimate use of the digital camera added by a relentless endurance provides the movie a meditational feeling that finally works past mere and useless life philosophy.”
Tennis nice Ilie Nastase gestures towards an umpire in ‘Nasty’
Libra Movies
The Viewers Award within the characteristic documentary class was claimed by Nasty, “The story of Seventies tennis legend Ilie Nastase, the game’s first insurgent rockstar.” The documentary, which screened at Cannes final yr, is directed by a trio of filmmakers (who, like Nastase himself, are Romanian): Tudor Giurgiu, Cristian Pascariu, and Tudor D. Popescu.
SEEfest, based in 2006 by movie critic and cultural entrepreneur Vera Mijojlić, is co-presented by ELMA — basis for European Languages and Motion pictures in America. The 20th anniversary version of the occasion – showcasing movies in competitors come from 20 international locations of South and Japanese Europe — ran from April 30 to Might 7. Serving because the SEEfest’s honorary chair was Bulgarian American actress and singer Irina Maleeva.
SEEfest
These are the 2025 SEEfest prize winners:
BEST FEATURE FILM, GRAND JURY PRIZE
DJ AHMET
Director: Georgi M. Unkovski
North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Serbia, Croatia
Jury: Tessa Blake, Robert Bailey, Marlis Pujol
Jury Assertion: DJ AHMET – a lyrical coming of age story set in a Yuruk village in North Macedonia – manages to be each deeply relatable and rapturously authentic. With lovely and evocative cinematography and nuanced storytelling, Georgi M. Unkovski (author/director) captures the common ache of a younger man looking for his place on this planet. Using the deeply particular particulars of the setting, Unkovski creates a wealthy and sophisticated expertise, saturating us in Ahmet’s viewpoint. The performances are attractive permitting the movie to envelop the viewers in its humanist grace.
The award comes with a money prize from Montage Media (montagemediausa.com) whose president, E’Ian West stated in an announcement: ‘Congratulationsin your movie profitable SEEfest 2025! Your storytelling and execution clearly mirror the time, dedication, and keenness you poured into this undertaking. We’re really impressed by your work and eagerly stay up for your subsequent inventive endeavor. As a token of our help, Montage Media Manufacturing Firm will likely be awarding you a money prize once you enter pre-production in your subsequent undertaking. Right here’s to extra highly effective tales forward!’
BEST ENSEMBLE
THE NEW YEAR THAT NEVER CAME
Director: Bogdan Mureșanu
Romania-Serbia
Jury: Tessa Blake, Robert Bailey, Marlis Pujol
Jury Assertion: A brilliantly rendered tragicomedy, THE NEW YEAR THAT NEVER CAME creates a vivid kaleidoscope of humanity by means of overlapping tales on the eve of the Romanian revolution. Capturing the quiet madness of residing in a dictatorship, author/director Bogdan Mureșanu saturates his story within the particulars of rage and worry. The actors convey extraordinary depth and nuance to each second. It’s a stunning movie with a exceptional ensemble of performers.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A FEATURE FILM
SUPERMARKET
Director: Nemanja Bečanović
Cinematographer: Dusan Grubin
Montenegro
Jury: Dennis Flippin, Valentina Caniglia, Jihane Mrad Balaa
Jury Assertion: SUPERMARKET delivers a visible expertise that transcends its easy setting. The cinematography transforms fluorescent sterility right into a residing, respiration panorama of human emotion. Each body feels intentional; the lighting nuances between harsh actuality and fleeting desires, making a rhythm that mirrors the protagonist’s fragile grip on hope. The digital camera doesn’t simply observe however it immerses and that’s why we really feel drawn into corners of loneliness, surprising magnificence, and silent rise up. It’s uncommon to seek out imagery so deeply wedded to a personality’s soul. In SUPERMARKET, the cinematography leans closely into distinction: chilly aisles lit with scientific precision dissolve into pockets of heat. This seamless dance is why its visible language deserves to be celebrated.
BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM
AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE WHO WILL COME KNOCKING
Director: Maja Novaković
Serbia
Jury: Sarah Anthony, Gabi Hayes
Jury Assertion: How can a movie with hardly any plot or dialogue seize you by the lapels and never let go? See this movie and discover out! An outdated man and his horse share an intense bond as they survive the chilly and lonely winter within the snowy Bosnian countryside. Every beautiful body is sort of a portray. We’re nonetheless fascinated about it weeks later. It was our favourite movie.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A DOCUMENTARY FILM
AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE WHO WILL COME KNOCKING
Director/Cinematographer: Maja Novaković
Serbia
Jury: Ivan Cordeiro, Mark Hayes, Denny Dugally
Jury Assertion: In AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE WHO WILL COME KNOCKING, isolation is skillfully portrayed by means of an atmospheric setting, giving the story a fascinating, dreamlike high quality paying homage to a folktale. The narrative unfolds and evolves over time, steadily peeling away psychological layers and including depth by means of artistic additions. Director Maja Novakovic strikes a stability between restraint and delicate nudging, permitting the story to breathe whereas sometimes including refined touches to coax it ahead. Her very intimate use of the digital camera added by a relentless endurance provides the movie a meditational feeling that finally works past mere and useless life philosophy.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A DOCUMENTARY FILM – HONORABLE MENTION
SOIL AND WINGS
Serbia
Director/Cinematographer: Stefan Malešević
Jury Assertion: The movie’s cinematographic fashion is characterised by serene panoramic pictures that seize the tranquil life-style of his topics, setting the tone for introspective storytelling. SOIL AND WINGS is additional enhanced by very considerate modifying, making a meditative tempo that immerses the viewer on this planet of the storytellers. The pictures create a hypnotic expertise, particularly in its ending sequence.
BEST SHORT FICTION:
CHOICE
N. Macedonia
Director: Marko Crnogorski
Jury: Leo Behrens, Michael Cory Davis, Brenna Malloy
Jury Assertion: Selection grips the viewer from its very first body, launching right into a frenetic visible fashion that mirrors the interior chaos of its lead character. The usage of speedy, disorienting digital camera actions and pressing pacing — all motivated by the expertise of the protagonist — creates a visceral sense of unease, pulling the viewers immediately into her emotional state.
With out providing an in depth backstory for the character’s choice to hunt an abortion, the movie as an alternative forces the viewer to confront a deeper query: Will we, as a society, have the fitting to outline the legitimacy of somebody’s private reasoning — or ought to it all the time be her selection?
The lead efficiency is uncooked and compelling, anchoring the chaos with a strong emotional core. The narrative, although minimal, resonates by means of its depth and restraint. Selection doesn’t moralize or present straightforward solutions; as an alternative, it challenges viewers to look at their very own beliefs by means of the lens of empathy and urgency.
By the tip, the movie leaves an enduring impression — not solely as a commentary on reproductive rights however as a human story of autonomy and compassion, and the lengths some girls should go to protect their very own free will. It’s a daring, affecting piece that retains its viewers on emotional edge from begin to end.
BEST SHORT FICTION – HONORABLE MENTION
APARTMENT 2A
Slovenia
Director: Gaja Möderndorfer
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM
ZASTAVA BROTHERS
Director: Pep Stojanovic
USA
Jury: Lori Nelson, Todd Thompson, Jonathan Berman
Jury Assertion: Within the 1980’s the Zastava Yugo, aka the Yugo, was bought within the US for lower than $4000, bringing each recognition and derision. The movie focuses on “superfans” of the automotive, immigrants to the U.S. who hail from disparate corners of the previous Yugoslavian Republic, who transcend politics and bond through their love of the automobile. The jury discovered this affectionate movie a breath of contemporary air, delivering a peppy subtext of journey, unity, pleasure for the Yugo’s followers and their households. Spanning continents and generations, this custom pays fond childhood recollections ahead, creating new bonds and bringing households collectively — all by means of a shared love of vehicles.
BEST SHORT ANIMATION – 2D
HURIKAN
Czech Republic
Director: Jan Saska
Jury: Omandi Moore, Rachel Lewis, Peter Jayne
Jury Assertion: HURIKAN completely leverages the strengths of animation in storytelling. By way of technical experience, deft pacing, and timing, HURIKAN manages to tug us into its world instantly. Though unusual, anachronistic, and exaggerated, this world nonetheless appears to mirror the identical each day issues that every one folks endure. With good comedian timing and gorgeous character animation. HURIKAN exhibits us that regardless of how massive or small our issues are, success could lie only one dangerous choice past our attain. This hilarious odyssey of a parched protagonist reminds us that generally our relative sacrifices for the higher good may be tempered by small mercies alongside the way in which.
BEST SHORT ANIMATION – 3D
MILES AND FLOWERS
Ukraine
Director: Danny Volosozhar
Jury: Omandi Moore, Rachel Lewis, Peter Jayne
Jury Assertion: MILES AND FLOWERS immediately conveys the heart-wrenching realities of conflict and particularly Ukraine’s present wrestle. By way of deceptively innocuous caricature, the viewer instantly identifies with the vacationers as they navigate a decimated metropolis. The adept use of 3D’s skill to control gentle and environment makes the character’s dread and hope palpable and much more poignant. MILES AND FLOWERS’ nice achievement is its skill to evoke empathy, regardless of how eliminated the viewer could also be from real-time occasions.
BEST SHORT ANIMATION – STOP MOTION
FAMILY PORTRAIT
Croatia
Director: Lea Vidakovic
Jury: Omandi Moore, Rachel Lewis, Peter Jayne
Jury Assertion: FAMILY PORTRAIT is a good looking, haunting, and at instances, grotesque illustration of household within the midst of loss and grief. With beautiful consideration to element, FAMILY PORTRAIT expertly makes use of stop-motion’s surreal nature to disclose the discord that arises from the collision of every member of the family’s coping strategies. By way of superb craftsmanship and method, the invisible heartache turns into the principle character on this all-too-familiar story.
Viewers Awards
Function Movie: DJ AHMET, a shepherd’s boy story of music, old flame and dance in a rural Macedonian village, directed by SEEfest alum Georgi M. Unkovski, N. Macedonia.
Documentary Movie: NASTY, The story of Seventies tennis legend Ilie Nastase, the game’s first insurgent rockstar was directed by a trio of Romanians: Tudor Giurgiu, Cristian Pascariu and Tudor D. Popescu.
Different Awards:
The winner of the Cinema With out Borders’ Bridging the Borders award, sponsored by 360 MEDIA, is DJ AHMET, Georgi M. Unkovski’s charming characteristic debut a few teenage North Macedonian shepherd’s love of digital dance music, which he performs to assist a younger woman pursue her desires of being a dancer.
Honorary Point out goes to Emir Kapetanović’s WHEN SANTA WAS A COMMUNIST, a tragicomedy a few touring troupe of performers annoyed of their makes an attempt to convey Christmas pleasure to the kids of religiously divided communities of Bosnia.
