This evening, the 16th edition of the Telemach Youth Film Festival concluded at Raiffeisen Vils Open Air in Sarajevo. Over the past eight festival days, more than 60 films from 18 countries were screened at two indoor and two outdoor cinemas (Raiffeisen Vils Open Air and Poli Open Air).
The organizers say this is the largest edition of the festival and that they are happy to have hosted the largest youth film festival in Southeast Europe for eight days.
Awards were given in several categories. In the OFF Generation Features category, three awards were presented: the award for best film went to “Yurt,” the jury prize was awarded to the team of the film “Forever, Forever,” and a special mention was given to the film “Last Swim.”
In the OFF Generation Shorts category, the award for best short film was given to the Palestinian film “AN ORANGE FROM JAFFA,” directed by Mohammed Almughanni.
A special mention was given to the film “Daydreaming So Vividly About Our Spanish Holidays,” by Christian Aviles. A special mention was also given to the film “Invincible Summer,” and to the young and talented actor Charles Lebrun, the protagonist of this film.
In the OFF Shorts category, the awards for the best regional film went to “Eat Me” by Mima Miljković (Serbia) and “Let Them Talk” by Karlo Gagulić (Croatia).
Earlier in the festival, awards were given in several other categories: Lazar Dragojević won the award for best actor in series, while Mirela Balić, an actress in the globally popular Netflix series “Elite,” won the award for best actress.
After tonight’s awards ceremony, special screenings of the films “Summer in the Golden Valley” and “Fire Dancer” were held. At 11 PM, all visitors are in for an unforgettable concert by Darko Rundek.
Special Prize
“LAST SWIM” by Sasha Nathwani
Special Prize goes to the film ‘Last Swim’ by Sasha Nathwani for its simple yet passionate and heartwarming generational portrait. Set over a 24-hour timespan, the film introduces us to the world of its teenage characters, capturing the essence of this formative stage of life, along with the fears, dilemmas, and joys that set us on the path of our lives. It emphasizes the importance of friendship and support in times of struggle and desperation. Through insightful storytelling, the author reminds us that everything is temporary and that we need to cherish life’s gifts with humility, and gratitude.
Jury Prize
“FOREVER-FOREVER” by Anna Buryachkova
Jury Prize goes to the film “Forever-Forever”, a debut feature by Anna Buryachkova for its compelling storytelling and masterful imagery. Cinematographer Lena Chekovska captured with great delicacy the fragile world of desperation that surrounds the young characters. The love triangle story takes shape in an almost apocalyptical post-Soviet setting and the characters evolve in this process of coming-of-age immersed in the challenges of self-parenting and survival in a world of uncertainty. The characters seek protection and belonging at any cost, self-sabotaging any chance of love and connection. “Forever-Forever” is a powerful slap into the face of the romantic idealization of teenage love and coming-of-age clichés.
Main Award
“Dormitory” by Nehir Tuna
The main award goes to the Incredible and cathartic coming-of-age story of “Yurt” (“Dormitory”), a debut feature by Nehir Tuna. The film immerses us in the main character’s inner conflict and struggles to satisfy family expectations. Set against the backdrop of 1996 divided Turkey, and yet in the microcosmos of an Islamic dormitory, this powerful story tackles the questions of religion and secularity, family and identity, boyhood, and adolescent friendship. This film challenges our perception and compels us to explore our family narratives and beliefs while following the main character into freedom and self-acceptance. The subtle storytelling intertwines skillfully and excitingly with the imagery and (almost palpable) fragments of the “Dormitory” mystical reality leaving us with the question “Do we need to conform and fit in?”
