Albanian-American writer-director Val Jashari explores reverse migration, loyalty and belonging in her debut feature, In a Manner of Speaking, a majority-Kosovar co-production with Montenegro that scooped both the WIP Europa Award and the WIP Europa Industry Award at this year’s San Sebastián International Film Festival (see the news).

Shot in Kosovo in Albanian and English, the pic centres on Zeka, an Albanian-American man accused of murder in the USA, who has spent three years hiding in Prishtina. There, he runs a bar with a close-knit group of fellow exiles who speak English, reminisce about New York and cling to their American identities. Their precarious existence is disrupted when an extradition agreement between Kosovo and the United States triggers a police raid. With officers surrounding his apartment, Zeka collects his money and documents, and escapes onto the balcony of his neighbour, Vlora, a woman from a remote village with troubles of her own.

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The premise draws on a community that Jashari has known since her youth. “Zeka and his friends are inspired by a real group of Albanian-American men who fled the United States or were deported and found themselves living in Prishtina,” she tells Cineuropa. “When they first arrived, they became a striking presence in the city: they spoke English, reminisced about their lives in the USA and struggled to adapt to life in Kosovo.”

For the filmmaker, this was a story of reverse migration: men raised in the United States trying to rebuild their lives far from the country they still regarded as home. Her approach also sought to capture the loyalties within a community she believes is frequently misunderstood. “They live by their own codes, but once they accept you into their circle, there is very little they would not do for someone they consider one of their own,” she explains. “I found a particular kind of honour in that loyalty, and I wanted the film to portray it without simplifying or judging them.”

Genc Jakupi plays Zeka opposite Adriana Matoshi as Vlora, with Taulant Jashari, Mason Alban and Ylber Bardhi rounding off the main cast. Jakupi’s own experience proved particularly valuable to his portrayal. “He is from Prishtina but spent many years in New York, and having known men like Zeka, he understood the character instinctively,” says Jashari. She also praises Matoshi’s approach: “She is deeply intuitive and moves naturally between emotions; regardless of how demanding the shooting days became, she continued to push herself and give everything to the role.”

The project is being produced by Jashari and Valmira Hyseni through Kosovo’s WaveMaker Films, in co-production with Montenegro’s Live Productions, with Bane Zugic and Binn Jakupi serving as co-producers. The film received its primary backing from the Kosovo Cinematography Center and minority co-production backing from the Film Centre of Montenegro. According to Jashari, it is the first Kosovar feature-film project to receive official production support from Montenegro.

The technical team includes director of photography David T Okolo, editors Leart Rama and Stephen Jangro, and production and costume designer Leonora Mehmeti Hoxha. Jashari, who is based in Prishtina, trained in Directing at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, and previously made the shorts The Evans Girl and Nanë/Mother.

Before its double win at San Sebastián, the project won Best Pitch at the Balkan Film Market and received the €10,000 OIM Prize in the Works in Progress section of Rome’s MedFilm Festival in 2025. It is now in the final stages of post-production, with a tentative release planned for 2027. Discussions with prospective international sales agents and distributors are ongoing, according to Jashari. The WIP Europa Industry Award includes post-production services and distribution in Spain.

“Our film was made on a very modest budget, but with enormous commitment from everyone involved,” she signs off. “The cast and crew gave the project far more than our resources might suggest, and I feel we achieved something we can all be proud of.”