The 21st edition of the Sole Luna Doc Film Festival concluded July 12 with Best Documentary and Audience Awards going to Dea Gjinovci for The Beauty of the Donkey. The international jury praised the film for its ability to transform a story of family memories and trauma into a universal reflection on memory and collective healing.
The 2026 edition, running July 6 to 12, presented 15 films in competition, seven Italian premieres, and one international premiere, attracting more than 10,000 attendees. This year saw a particular focus on women directors, as well as experimental filmmaking and video art.
Hidden by Monika Kotecka received the Best Director Award, along with a Special Mention from the High School Students’ Jury. The Best Editing Award was presented to Do You Love Me by Lana Daher, which retraces the history of Lebanon through archival footage and personal home videos.
The Best Short Film Award was presented to Night Shift, directed by Megumi Lim and Marian Prysiazhniuk (Ukraine, 2025). Set in Kharkiv during the war, the film was recognised for its powerful portrayal of everyday life under the constant threat of conflict, turning waiting and fear into a compelling metaphor for the human condition.
Several other awards were also presented across different categories. The Special Mention for Best Original Score went to Polyphem by Ilaria Di Carlo, while The Soundrivemotion Award for Best Sound Design was presented to Despite the Scars by Felix Rier, in recognition of its outstanding sound work in portraying the environmental crisis.
The High School Students’ Jury selected Everyday in Gaza by Omar Rammal as Best Short Film, praising its authentic portrayal of daily life for the people of Gaza. The documentary also received a Special Mention from the New Citizens Jury, which awarded its top prize to As the Crow Flies by Clara Lacombe, a film following the journey of a young boy fleeing Guinea-Conakry.
The Sole Luna – A Bridge Between Cultures Award, presented by festival president Lucia Gotti Venturato, went to A Fox under a Pink Moon by Mehrdad Oskouei and Soraya, which also received the international jury’s Special Mention for Best Cinematography.
A Special Mention was granted to Francesco Di Fiore for Vincerai Perderai, about a team of local Palermoo-based football players on the cusp of adulthood.
