August 26, 2026
After four days of workshops, meetings and pitch preparation, the second Short Film Forum closed in Prizren with its award ceremony. But the clearest result went beyond the projects that received prizes: the Forum is beginning to take its place as a shared platform for short-film development in the Balkans.
In two years, it has grown from three participating countries to five, connecting filmmakers and producers with film centres, festivals, markets and sales professionals. The growth has been gradual and organic. It also gives us confidence that next year’s expansion, developed with partner festivals across the region, will strengthen the programme and help define the Forum’s future structure.
Held from 9 to 12 August during DokuFest, this year’s Forum brought together ten projects from Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Bulgaria. Guided by lead mentor Martijn te Pas, the teams worked on their projects, pitches, production needs and festival strategies before presenting to an international jury. The awards were announced at the Kosovo Cinematography Center reception following the public pitching session.
Awards
Best Project – Creative Force Award
Presented by the Embassy of Sweden in Pristina
The Rifts
Director: Gogo Vanev
Producers: Félix Lambot and Nevena Semova
Bulgaria/Belgium
Best Pitch – Emerging Filmmaker Award
€5,000 worth of equipment rental, presented by IKONË Studio
betwixt
Director: Dita Xhaferi
Producer: Lendina Balaj
Kosovo
Talent Award
€1,500, presented by the Kosovo Cinematography Center
For Whom Do the Bells Toll
Director: Erlisë Beqiri
Producer: Ardian Dubova
Kosovo
Tailored Festival Strategy
Two individual consultations and a tailored festival strategy, presented by Square Eyes
For Whom Do the Bells Toll
Director: Erlisë Beqiri
Producer: Ardian Dubova
Kosovo
Invitation to the ShorTO Film Market pitching session
Presented by the Italian Short Film Center and ShorTO Film Market
My Pants Are Your Pants
Director and producer: Durim Klaiqi
Kosovo
Invitation to AGORA Market at the Thessaloniki Film Festival
Presented by the Documentary Association of Europe
Silent Return
Director: Dionis Prifti
Producer: Genc Përmeti
Albania
Kosovo’s nomination to Euro Connection
The co-production forum of the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market, presented by DokuFest
Cicë!
Director and producer: Finesa Peja
Kosovo
The projects were assessed by four professionals working across short-film development, festivals, markets, sales and international distribution:
Florian Fernandez, Head of SFC | Rendez-vous Industry at the Festival de Cannes.
Sigrid Hadenius, Festival Director of Uppsala Short Film Festival.
Elena Ciofalo, Director of the Italian Short Film Center.
Wouter Jansen, founder and CEO of Square Eyes, responsible for sales and acquisitions.
“We were especially happy to welcome Italy as this year’s Guest Country through our partnership with the Italian Short Film Center and ShorTO Film Market,” says Eroll Bilibani, co-manager of the Forum. “The Italian projects, producers and industry representatives didn’t come only for a showcase. They met the Balkan teams, joined discussions and opened practical conversations about co-production and how short films can move between our regions.”
In 2027, projects from Greece, Turkey, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will join the five countries already represented. The next edition is being developed with the Drama International Short Film Festival, Meetings on the Bridge at the Istanbul Film Festival, Beldocs International Documentary Film Festival and a leading film festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be announced soon.
“The point isn’t simply to add more countries,” Bilibani adds. “Each partner should connect us with its local film community and help create a path for projects before and after their time in Prizren.”
Following Italy’s participation this year, Sweden is planned as the Guest Country for the expanded third edition.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming a large Swedish delegation of filmmakers, producers, institutions and short-film professionals,” Bilibani says. “Swedish support and the Nordic tradition of regional cooperation helped the Forum take its first steps. Together with Forum co-manager Jing Haase we’ll begin planning the next edition in September 2026, with our first meeting taking place during Nordisk Panorama in Malmö.”
