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Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘DJ Ahmet' Wins Three Awards, ‘At The Door Of The House, Who Will Come Knocking' Claims Two As SEEfest LA Wraps
The South East European Film Festival in Los Angeles has wrapped its 20th edition with the presentation of jury and audience awards. DJ Ahmet, directed by North Macedonian filmmaker Georgi M. Unkovski, won SEEfest's Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film. More from Deadline Arnold Schwarzenegger To Receive Legacy Award From South East European Film Festival In Los Angeles 20th South East European Film Festival Reveals Lineup: Oscar Nominees, Sundance Prize Winners, And One 'Nasty' Documentary Sundance World Dramatic Competition Selection 'DJ Ahmet' Boarded For Sales By Films Boutique 'A lyrical coming of age story set in a Yuruk village in North Macedonia – manages to be both deeply relatable and rapturously original,' wrote the jury, comprised of Tessa Blake, Robert Bailey, and Marlis Pujol. 'With beautiful and evocative cinematography and nuanced storytelling, Georgi M. Unkovski (writer/director) captures the universal pain of a young man trying to find his place in the world. Utilizing the deeply specific details of the setting, Unkovski creates a rich and complex experience, saturating us in Ahmet's point of view. The performances are gorgeous allowing the film to envelop the audience in its humanist grace.' DJ Ahmet, starring Arif Jakup, Agush Agushev, and Aksel Mehme, also won the Audience Award at SEEfest, and the Cinema Without Borders' 'Bridging the Borders' award, sponsored by 360 MEDIA. That adds to an impressive list of wins for the drama, which premiered at Sundance in January, where it earned a Special Jury Award for Creative Vision, as well as the Audience Award. It also won Best Feature Film at the recent Desertscape International Film Festival in Southern Utah. The SEEfest jury prize comes with a cash award furnished by Montage Media. 'Congratulations on your film winning SEEfest 2025!' Montage Media President E'Ian West said in a statement. 'Your storytelling and execution clearly reflect the time, dedication, and passion you poured into this project. We are truly inspired by your work and eagerly look forward to your next artistic endeavor. As a token of our support, Montage Media Production Company will be awarding you a cash prize when you enter pre-production on your next project. Here's to more powerful stories ahead!' SEEfest's Best Ensemble Award went to The New Year That Never Came, directed by Bogdan Mureșanu. 'A brilliantly rendered tragicomedy, The New Year That Never Came creates a vivid kaleidoscope of humanity through overlapping stories on the eve of the Romanian revolution,' jurors wrote. 'Capturing the quiet insanity of living in a dictatorship, writer/director Bogdan Mureșanu saturates his story in the details of rage and fear. The actors bring extraordinary depth and nuance to every moment. It's a gorgeous film with a remarkable ensemble of performers.' Scroll for the complete list of SEEfest winners. In the nonfiction film categories, At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking, directed and shot by Maja Novaković, won two prizes, including Best Documentary Film. 'How can a film with hardly any plot or dialogue grab you by the lapels and not let go? See this film and find out!' wrote the jury comprised of Sarah Anthony and Gabi Hayes. 'An old man and his horse share an intense bond as they survive the cold and lonely winter in the snowy Bosnian countryside. Each exquisite frame is like a painting. We're still thinking about it weeks later. It was our favorite film.' Maja Novaković's film also won Best Cinematography In A Documentary Film. The jury in that category, made up of Ivan Cordeiro, Mark Hayes, and Denny Dugally, wrote, 'In At The Door Of The House Who Will Come Knocking, isolation is skillfully portrayed through an atmospheric setting, giving the story a captivating, dreamlike quality reminiscent of a folktale. The narrative unfolds and evolves over time, steadily peeling away psychological layers and adding depth through creative additions. Director Maja Novakovic strikes a balance between restraint and gentle nudging, allowing the story to breathe while occasionally adding subtle touches to coax it forward. Her very intimate use of the camera added by a relentless patience gives the film a meditational feeling that ultimately works beyond mere and vain life philosophy.' The Audience Award in the feature documentary category was claimed by Nasty, 'The story of 1970s tennis legend Ilie Nastase, the sport's first rebel rockstar.' The documentary, which screened at Cannes last year, is directed by a trio of filmmakers (who, like Nastase himself, are Romanian): Tudor Giurgiu, Cristian Pascariu, and Tudor D. Popescu. SEEfest, founded in 2006 by film critic and cultural entrepreneur Vera Mijojlić, is co-presented by ELMA — foundation for European Languages and Movies in America. The 20th anniversary edition of the event – showcasing films in competition come from 20 countries of South and Eastern Europe — ran from April 30 to May 7. Serving as the SEEfest's honorary chair was Bulgarian American actress and singer Irina Maleeva. 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 Statement: DJ AHMET – a lyrical coming of age story set in a Yuruk village in North Macedonia – manages to be both deeply relatable and rapturously original. With beautiful and evocative cinematography and nuanced storytelling, Georgi M. Unkovski (writer/director) captures the universal pain of a young man trying to find his place in the world. Utilizing the deeply specific details of the setting, Unkovski creates a rich and complex experience, saturating us in Ahmet's point of view. The performances are gorgeous allowing the film to envelop the audience in its humanist grace. The award comes with a cash prize from Montage Media ( whose president, E'Ian West said in a statement: 'Congratulationson your film winning SEEfest 2025! Your storytelling and execution clearly reflect the time, dedication, and passion you poured into this project. We are truly inspired by your work and eagerly look forward to your next artistic endeavor. As a token of our support, Montage Media Production Company will be awarding you a cash prize when you enter pre-production on your next project. Here's to more powerful stories ahead!' BEST ENSEMBLE THE NEW YEAR THAT NEVER CAME Director: Bogdan Mureșanu Romania-Serbia Jury: Tessa Blake, Robert Bailey, Marlis Pujol Jury Statement: A brilliantly rendered tragicomedy, THE NEW YEAR THAT NEVER CAME creates a vivid kaleidoscope of humanity through overlapping stories on the eve of the Romanian revolution. Capturing the quiet insanity of living in a dictatorship, writer/director Bogdan Mureșanu saturates his story in the details of rage and fear. The actors bring extraordinary depth and nuance to every moment. It's a gorgeous film with a remarkable 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 Statement: SUPERMARKET delivers a visual experience that transcends its simple setting. The cinematography transforms fluorescent sterility into a living, breathing landscape of human emotion. Every frame feels intentional; the lighting nuances between harsh reality and fleeting dreams, creating a rhythm that mirrors the protagonist's fragile grip on hope. The camera doesn't just observe but it immerses and that's why we feel drawn into corners of loneliness, unexpected beauty, and silent rebellion. It's rare to find imagery so deeply wedded to a character's soul. In SUPERMARKET, the cinematography leans heavily into contrast: cold aisles lit with clinical precision dissolve into pockets of warmth. This seamless dance is why its visual 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 Statement: How can a film with hardly any plot or dialogue grab you by the lapels and not let go? See this film and find out! An old man and his horse share an intense bond as they survive the cold and lonely winter in the snowy Bosnian countryside. Each exquisite frame is like a painting. We're still thinking about it weeks later. It was our favorite film. 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 Statement: In AT THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE WHO WILL COME KNOCKING, isolation is skillfully portrayed through an atmospheric setting, giving the story a captivating, dreamlike quality reminiscent of a folktale. The narrative unfolds and evolves over time, steadily peeling away psychological layers and adding depth through creative additions. Director Maja Novakovic strikes a balance between restraint and gentle nudging, allowing the story to breathe while occasionally adding subtle touches to coax it forward. Her very intimate use of the camera added by a relentless patience gives the film a meditational feeling that ultimately works beyond mere and vain life philosophy. BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY IN A DOCUMENTARY FILM – HONORABLE MENTIONSOIL AND WINGS Serbia Director/Cinematographer: Stefan Malešević Jury Statement: The film's cinematographic style is characterized by serene panoramic shots that capture the tranquil lifestyle of his subjects, setting the tone for introspective storytelling. SOIL AND WINGS is further enhanced by very thoughtful editing, creating a meditative pace that immerses the viewer in the world of the storytellers. The shots create a hypnotic experience, especially in its ending sequence. BEST SHORT FICTION: CHOICE N. Macedonia Director: Marko Crnogorski Jury: Leo Behrens, Michael Cory Davis, Brenna Malloy Jury Statement: Choice grips the viewer from its very first frame, launching into a frenetic visual style that mirrors the internal chaos of its lead character. The use of rapid, disorienting camera movements and urgent pacing — all motivated by the experience of the protagonist — creates a visceral sense of unease, pulling the audience directly into her emotional state. Without offering a detailed backstory for the character's decision to seek an abortion, the film instead forces the viewer to confront a deeper question: Do we, as a society, have the right to define the legitimacy of someone's personal reasoning — or should it always be her choice?The lead performance is raw and compelling, anchoring the chaos with a powerful emotional core. The narrative, though minimal, resonates through its intensity and restraint. Choice doesn't moralize or provide easy answers; instead, it challenges viewers to examine their own beliefs through the lens of empathy and the end, the film leaves a lasting impression — not only as a commentary on reproductive rights but as a human story of autonomy and compassion, and the lengths some women must go to preserve their own free will. It's a bold, affecting piece that keeps its audience on emotional edge from start to finish. 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 Statement: In the 1980's the Zastava Yugo, aka the Yugo, was sold in the US for less than $4000, bringing both popularity and derision. The film focuses on 'superfans' of the car, immigrants to the U.S. who hail from disparate corners of the former Yugoslavian Republic, who transcend politics and bond via their love of the vehicle. The jury found this affectionate film a breath of fresh air, delivering a peppy subtext of adventure, unity, joy for the Yugo's fans and their families. Spanning continents and generations, this tradition pays fond childhood memories forward, creating new bonds and bringing families together — all through a shared love of automobiles. BEST SHORT ANIMATION – 2D HURIKAN Czech Republic Director: Jan Saska Jury: Omandi Moore, Rachel Lewis, Peter Jayne Jury Statement: HURIKAN perfectly leverages the strengths of animation in storytelling. Through technical expertise, deft pacing, and timing, HURIKAN manages to pull us into its world immediately. Although strange, anachronistic, and exaggerated, this world still seems to reflect the same daily problems that all people endure. With perfect comic timing and stunning character animation. HURIKAN shows us that no matter how big or small our problems are, good fortune may lie just one bad decision beyond our reach. This hilarious odyssey of a parched protagonist reminds us that sometimes our relative sacrifices for the greater good can be tempered by small mercies along the way. BEST SHORT ANIMATION – 3D MILES AND FLOWERS Ukraine Director: Danny Volosozhar Jury: Omandi Moore, Rachel Lewis, Peter Jayne Jury Statement: MILES AND FLOWERS instantly conveys the heart-wrenching realities of war and specifically Ukraine's current struggle. Through deceptively innocuous caricature, the viewer immediately identifies with the travelers as they navigate a decimated city. The adept use of 3D's ability to manipulate light and atmosphere makes the character's dread and hope palpable and even more poignant. MILES AND FLOWERS' great achievement is its ability to evoke empathy, no matter how removed the viewer may be from real-time events. BEST SHORT ANIMATION – STOP MOTION FAMILY PORTRAIT Croatia Director: Lea Vidakovic Jury: Omandi Moore, Rachel Lewis, Peter Jayne Jury Statement: FAMILY PORTRAIT is a beautiful, haunting, and at times, grotesque representation of family in the midst of loss and grief. With exquisite attention to detail, FAMILY PORTRAIT expertly uses stop-motion's surreal nature to reveal the discord that arises from the collision of each family member's coping methods. Through amazing craftsmanship and technique, the invisible heartache becomes the main character in this all-too-familiar tale. Audience Awards Feature Film: DJ AHMET, a shepherd's boy tale of music, first love and dance in a rural Macedonian village, directed by SEEfest alum Georgi M. Unkovski, N. Macedonia. Documentary Film: NASTY, The story of 1970s tennis legend Ilie Nastase, the sport's first rebel rockstar was directed by a trio of Romanians: Tudor Giurgiu, Cristian Pascariu and Tudor D. Popescu. Other Awards: The winner of the Cinema Without Borders' Bridging the Borders award, sponsored by 360 MEDIA, is DJ AHMET, Georgi M. Unkovski's charming feature debut about a teenage North Macedonian shepherd's love of electronic dance music, which he plays to help a young girl pursue her dreams of being a dancer. Honorary Mention goes to Emir Kapetanović's WHEN SANTA WAS A COMMUNIST, a tragicomedy about a traveling troupe of performers frustrated in their attempts to bring Christmas joy to the children of religiously divided communities of Bosnia. Best of Deadline All The Songs In Netflix's 'Forever': From Tyler The Creator To SZA 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery
Boston Globe
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Belmont World Film's 23rd International Film Series examines ‘Freedom on Film'
'Normally, we have to look at the films and say, 'What connects them all?' but as I was watching [this year's] films, it's freedom, just coming back,' Gitelman explained in an interview with the Globe. 'I know people are very concerned about freedom and freedom of speech.' Advertisement According to an email from Gitelman, 'the lineup 'explores the many dimensions of freedom — from personal liberation to political resistance — showcasing compelling stories from around the globe … shedding light on the struggles and triumphs of those who dare to break barriers.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'The series invites audiences to engage with diverse perspectives on what it truly means to be free,' she said in an interview. A scene from director Georgi Unkovski's "DJ Ahmet," the opening film for Belmont World Film's 23rd International Film Series. Handout Coming-of-age drama 'DJ Ahmet' will kick off the festival on March 31 at Apple Cinemas in Cambridge. Set in a rural community in North Macedonia, writer-director Georgi M. Unkovski's film won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sonoma International Film Festival and both 'It's a really sweet coming-of-age film, but also shows another side of culture that maybe we're not so familiar with. There are other ways of living in the world,' Gitelman said. The film follows 15-year-old electronic music lover Ahmet as he navigates familial and social expectations and first love. The story explores the theme of generational divides, Unkovski said in Following the screening, Boston University professor Dr. Irena Vodenska, who is from North Macedonia, will host a discussion about the film. Advertisement 'The Good Teacher,' a film exploring sexuality, homophobia, and violence, and 'Waves,' a story of censorship, will also screen at Apple Cinemas as part of the festival. Librarian Benoit Landon of Boston-based French cultural nonprofit the The remaining films will be presented at West Newton Cinema in Newton, with 'Reading Lolita in Tehran' and 'Manas' screening in April. On April 21, 'Reading Lolita in Tehran,' an adaptation of Iranian-American writer Azar Nafisi's 2003 memoir, details her experience hosting a secret literary club with seven female students in post-revolutionary Iran in the mid 1980s and early-'90s. In 'Manas,' 13-year-old Marcielle must grapple with the systemic exploitation and violence experienced by the women and girls in her small Brazilian village, and attempt to break the cycle for her young sister. Laura Ottoni of Grupo Mulher Brasileira (Brazilian Women's Group) and Belmont World Film board member and social worker Maria Carvalho will host a discussion of the film on April 28. Roya Sadat's "Sima's Song," which follows the long-time friendship of two women with opposing political views, will have its North American premiere during the film series in May. Handout May's programming opens with the North American premiere of 'Sima's Song.' In the film, set in 1970s Afghanistan, Suraya, a wealthy communist activist, and Sima, a conservative Muslim, navigate their friendship amid the civil unrest and war. Berklee College of Music history professor James Bradford will speak following the film on May 5. On May 12, writer Mathyas Lefebure will appear at the festival for the US premiere of 'Shepherds,' a film based on his memoir about his decision to trade an advertising career for life in the French Alps to become a sheep herder. Advertisement 'Four Mothers,' screening May 19, is a lighthearted Irish comedy about the unlikely friendship that forms between a novelist, his unwell mother, and her three elderly friends. As serious as the festival lineup can be, 'sometimes they're just purely funny,' Gitelman said. A scene from Irish comedy "Four Mothers," which screens on May 19 as part of the Belmont series. The film follows a novelist who goes on an existential journey to find himself with the help of his ailing mother and her three friends. Handout Pride and Refugee Awareness Month programming in June will include Romanian drama 'Three Kilometers to the End of the World' on June 2 and an award-winning French film, 'Souleymane's Story,' on June 9. The closing film, 'Under the Volcano,' originally premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024. It follows a vacationing Ukrainian family stuck in Tenerife, Spain after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. Gitelman says the festival has made her 'so much more compassionate, and that her hope for these screenings is to 'create understanding.' The festival's aim is to help viewers 'be understanding and appreciative of another culture, like things that we have in common, things that we have [that are] different.' Single screening tickets start at $14 and can be purchased in advance or at the theater. Packages are also available. Additional information, screening times, and a full program can be found at . Haley Clough can be reached at
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Films Boutique Sells Sundance Award Winner ‘DJ Ahmet' to Multiple Territories (EXCLUSIVE)
Berlin-based sales agency Films Boutique has secured the first international deals for Georgi M. Unkovski's 'DJ Ahmet' following its world premiere in the World Dramatic Competition of the Sundance Film Festival, where the film won both the Special Jury Award for Creative Vision and the Audience Award. Films Boutique has sold the drama to Madman Entertainment in Australia and New Zealand, September Film Distribution in Benelux, Films We Like in Canada, Filmin in Spain, Lev Cinema in Israel, Leopardo Filmes in Portugal and Discovery in former Yugoslavia with further territories already in negotiation. More from Variety Berlin's Teddys Give Queer Cinema a Boost as LGBTQ+ Rights Erode Around the Globes 'Lesbian Space Princess': A New Adult Frontier for Aussie Animation Pablo Trapero's 'Malinche' Set for Morena, Talipot Julien Razafindranaly, head of sales at Films Boutique, said: 'We are particularly thankful to Sundance for having been such a great launchpad for the film. We will long remember the electric premiere at the Egyptian on the opening night of the festival. 'Rarely a film can receive all at once the praise from the critics, the love of the public and the recognition from the jury and we are glad to continue seeing such an enthusiasm from distributors at the EFM.' The film centers on Ahmet, a 15-year-old shepherd from a remote Yuruk village in North Macedonia, who finds refuge in music while navigating his father's expectations in a conservative community and his first experience with love — for a girl already promised to someone else. The film is produced by Cinema Futura (North Macedonia) and co-produced with Alter Vision (Czech Republic), Backroom Production (Serbia), 365 Films (Croatia), Analog Vision (Czech Republic), Film House Bas Celik (Serbia) and Sektor Film (North Macedonia). The producers are Ivan Unkovski and Ivana Shekutkoska. The co-producers are Michal Kracmer, Veronika Kuhrova, Igor Kecman, Jelena Mitrovic, Katarina Prpic, Vladimir Anastasov and Angela Nestorovska. It was made with the support of the North Macedonia Film Agency, Eurimages, Czech Film Fund, Serbian Film Center, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, SEE Cinema Network. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
