The awards of the 19th edition of Beldocs International Documentary Film Festival were presented May 26 at the Museum of the 1990s in Belgrade. Juries across all competition sections honoured films distinguished by “artistic originality, cinematic innovation, and strong social and emotional impact.”
In International Competition the award for Best Film (€2,000) went to The Thing To Be Done by Srđan Kovačević. The jury, consisting of Ana Martinoli, Radiša Cvetković and Szabolcs Sironyi said: “We award The Thing To Be Done for its exceptional ability to transform complex social and political processes into a deeply human and emotionally precise cinematic narrative. Without simplification or ideological pathos, the author creates a space in which questions of labour, dignity, solidarity, and collective struggle become universal and urgent.” Specials Mention went to Silver by Natalia Koniarz and Blueberry Blues by Andrés Livov.
In Serbian Competition, the award for Best Film was handed to Sunset by Miloš Jaćimović. The jury, consisting of Miguel Eek, Marlene Edoyan, and Nikola Stojanović, praised its “its outstanding visual language and emotional strength,” adding how, “with exceptional visual sensibility and formal precision, this film transforms gestures of care and repetitive rituals into a profound cinematic meditation on time, memory, and the fragility of shared spaces. Through immersive camerawork and masterful attention to light, rhythm, and physical presence, the film creates an experience that feels both intimately local and universally human. What emerges is not merely a portrait of a place, but of a society in transition and ways of life that endure even as they slowly disappear.”
The award for Best Cinematography was won by Maša Drndić for The Divine Feminine. Commented the jury: “In a space defined by human uncertainty and vulnerability, this cinematography achieves a rare intimacy without intrusion. Through restrained and deeply empathetic photography, the film transforms the setting into a living emotional landscape where bodies, gestures, silences, and glances carry equal weight. Without sensationalism, the visual language creates images of extraordinary tenderness and dignity. With sensitivity and attunement, the camera becomes an act of solidarity, giving cinematic form to experiences so often hidden from view.”
The Divine Feminine also won the award for Best Short Film, with the jury of Sean Parnell, Maxim Cîrlan and Ana Žugić noting: “Through a combination of emotional honesty and remarkable cinematic precision, this film succeeds in addressing different generations while opening dialogue around themes that often remain unspoken.” A Special Mention was awarded to Ferrari Student Grand Prix.
The award for Best Editing was passed to Mina Simendić for This Desirable Device. “Through a self-reflexive structure, this film creates connections between language, analogue film, and systems of value, revealing how meaning is shaped through processes of selection, translation, and exchange,” said the jury. “Moving fluidly between personal reflection and political thought, the editing establishes a rhythm in which image, sound, and material texture constantly reshape one another. Rather than merely organizing the film, the editing actively interrogates the very conditions of communication, migration, and artistic production.” A Special Mention was awarded to Ivana Todorović for The Divine Feminine.
In Fireworks Competition, the Fireworks Award was picked up by How to Listen to Fountains by Eva Sajanova. The jury of Ana Vučković, Nikolay N. Viktorov and Aleksandra Sekulić praised the film’s “carefully constructed sound narrative” and its transformation into “cinematic poetry.” A Special Mention went to Memory by Vladlena Sandu, described as “a powerful cinematic affirmation of confronting war trauma and resisting the ongoing normalization of destruction.”
In Meteors Competition, the Award for Visual and Narrative Innovation was won by Waking Hours by directing duo Federico Cammarata and Filippo Foscarini. The jury of Jelena Maksimović, Temra Pavlović and Maida Gruden awarded a Special Mention to Kukata Miti by Daniel Kötter.
In Teen Competition, the Best Film Award went to A Fox Under A Pink Moon by Mehrdad Oskouei and Soraya Akhalaghi. The Teen Jury awarded a Special Mention to Yugo Goes To America by Filip Grujić and Aleksa Borković, describing the film as “a source of hope for a shared and harmonious life among the peoples of the Balkans.”
In Day Zero Competition, The Day Zero jury of Hana Fifa, Emilija Vuković and Vid Radičević awarded Best Film Award to If You Don’t Like It, Look Away by Margaux Fournier, noting how, “beyond its aesthetic and narrative uniqueness, this film leaves behind something profoundly important — hope.”
“With the presentation of the awards at the Museum of the 1990s, Beldocs International Documentary Film Festival once again reaffirmed its commitment to filmmakers pushing the boundaries of documentary cinema and opening space for urgent social, political, and personal questions of the contemporary world,” Beldocs organisers underline.
BELDOCS INDUSTRY AWARDS: The full list of Beldocs Pitching Forum 2026 award winners is as follows:
- Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival Networking Award: I WAS TOLD TO SAVE THE WORLD by NEBOJŠA RESANOVIĆ and HANA PIŠČEVIĆ
- Forgrade Post-production Award: SYMBOLS OF WAR by NENAD MIKALAČKI
- Film Center of Montenegro Award: SILENCE OF THE CLASSROOM by ISIDORA BULATOVIĆ
- MajorDocs Talent Award: IP DIP SKY BLUE by NINO LOMADZE
- Ji.hlava New Visions Market Award: SYMBOLS OF WAR by NENAD MIKALAČKI
- Lightdox Award: KRUNK by AURORA TUĞÇE AYDIN
- Impronta Films Consultancy Award: CONFESSIONS OF A FEMALE GAMER by DOLYA GAVANSKI
- East Doc Award Presented by the Institute of Documentary Film: IP DIP SKY BLUE by NINO LOMADZE
- DOK Exchange XR Award: LITTLE RADIO ORCHESTRA by ANA ALEKSOVSKA
- Documentary Association of Europe (DAE) Talent Encouragement Award: SILENCE OF THE CLASSROOM by ISIDORA BULATOVIĆ
