11/08/2024

From the excitement of the previous weeks while we could see the program of this year’s festival, to now where we know all the winners and celebrate the success and the stories told on screen here in Prizren, this year’s edition comes to an end.

Even though going through the finish line of the festival there is a bittersweet feeling, we do recognize the magic these days have brought into our lives and that we will take home with us, until the next year comes.

The Closing Ceremony of the XXIII brought together all the key moments from the special screenings, to the bliss that DokuNights were this year, to the competing categories that sparked moments of connection, discussion and opened many avenues for dialogue within the cinematography community to DokuTalks that brought many aspects from behind the silver screen to the forefront and of course to the irreplaceable staff that has worked tirelessly throughout the year and especially during the days of the festival. 

A yearly tradition remains showcasing the young talents from the DokuKids workshops that within the days of the festival collaborated and created many short animated films that were proudly displayed within the closing ceremony. Remaining on the topic of traditions, we took a moment to express the immense gratitude the volunteers of the festival, which are always the driving force of this organization, and without which Dokufest would not be the same.

This year’s end of DokuFest brought to the screen Samir Karahoda’s latest short film titled “On the Road” with the good news that the film is heading to Toronto International Film Festival.

Below you can find the winners of this edition of DokuFest, whose compelling visual storytelling were highly regarded by the jury and audience alike.

Winners:

Distribution Award Winner: 

reMemBer2.human by Durim Klaiqi

Talent Doc Award Winner:

Workers Wings by Ilir Hasanaj

Audience Award Winner:

Afterwar by Birgitte Stærmose

Green Dox: 

Winner: Apple Cider Vinegar by Sofie Benoot

Special Mention: Lichens are the way by Ondřej Vavrečka

Truth Dox:

23 Mile by Mitch McCabe

Human Rights Dox Winner:

Silence of Reason by Kumjana Novakova

International Shorts Winner: 

The death of a hero by Karin Franz Körlof, and a DokuFest candidate for the EFA short film award

Special Mention: Dreams like paper boats by Samuel Suffren

International Short Dox:

History is written at Night by Alejandro Alonso

International Feature Dox Winner:

A Fidai Film by Kamal Aljafari

Special Mention: What did you dream last night, Parajanov? by Feraz Fesharaki

Balkan Dox Winner: 

Another Day by Eneos Çarka

Special Mention: Stray Bodies by Elina Psykou

National Winner: 

Like a Sick Yellow by Norika Sefa

 

By: Blerina Kanxha

Photo: Tughan Anit