The 32nd edition of Bratislava’s International Film Festival Febiofest has recognised feature-length and short films from the Visegrád Four (V4) countries, Austria and Ukraine within its In the Heart of Europe Competition.

Meanwhile, the gathering’s industry-focused segment, the tenth edition of Bratislava Industry Days (see the report), highlighted 16 domestic projects not only from Slovakia, but also from the Central European region, all at various stages of production, through its Work-in-Progress initiative, attracting myriad international film professionals. The Best Febio Pitch Award, worth €3,000, went to the short-film project Seablindness by Tereza Smetanová, an observational documentary exploring “the symbolism of ports amid a self-destructive world” and showing “the surrounding landscape of multiple unspecified European harbours”. The Cineuropa Work in Progress Award went to Animals of the East by Anna Ďurišíková and Andrej Kolenčík, a poetic coming-of-age documentary about animal shelters. The sci-fi drama Dreaming Differences by Kateřina Hroníková, about a protagonist who undergoes an experimental procedure to remove “the need for sleep”, netted the Tatino Films Award, entailing support via the Pop Up Film or First Cut Lab initiatives. The MIDPOINT Consulting Award, offering in-depth story-editing consultation with MIDPOINT, was granted to Novruz Hikmet for Hardsub, a drama about identity, migration and homeland. Finally, the KFF Industry Award ensures that Kristína Žilinčárová’s Slovak documentary essay Prometea, about equine cloning, will take part in the CEDOC co-production market at the Krakow Film Festival.

The main award in the festival proper this year went to the Hungarian feature Lesson Learned [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Bálint Szimler
scheda film], the debut film by Bálint Szimler. An institutional satire and social drama set in a Hungarian primary school, Lesson Learned was praised for its blend of psychological nuance, visual precision and well-written archetypes. “The film offers both absurd parody and a chillingly universal portrait of a regressive society,” the jury stated. Following the win, the film will be shown across Slovakia as part of the festival's touring showcase.

Slovak director Rebeka Bizubová received the Best Short Film Award for Confession, a bold and personal documentary tackling the issue of sexual abuse within the Church. Jury member Teju Miholič commended its “authenticity, vulnerability and courage”, noting its power to transcend the boundaries of cinema. A Special Mention in the short-film competition went to Yarê by Sallar Othma, a coming-of-age tale set in the heat-stricken Rojava region of Syria. The jury highlighted its fairy-tale tone, and its message of hope in the face of environmental and political hardship.

In the documentary competition, Fragments of Ice [+leggi anche:
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scheda film] by Ukrainian director Maria Stoianova was named Best Documentary. Constructed from family archives and correspondence, the film offers an intimate exploration of freedom, memory and the geopolitical reality of Ukraine. Previously awarded at Visions du Réel 2024 for its inventive narrative approach, the film reconstructs a father’s inner world through personal material while subtly reflecting on contemporary history.

A Special Mention in the feature-length competition went to March to May [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Martin Pavol Repka
scheda film] by Martin Pavel Repka. Accepted by lead actress Zuzana Fialová on behalf of the filmmakers, the award acknowledged the movie’s patient narrative and immersive portrayal of a rural Slovak family. Jury member Andrei Tănăsescu praised its emotional depth and storytelling, noting, “The film draws you into its world so fully that you begin to experience it as a member of the family.” Previously recognised at Karlovy Vary, and screened at Cottbus and Plzeň, the film was released in Slovak cinemas on the very day of the awards ceremony.

Here is the full list of award winners:

In the Heart of Europe Competition

Best Feature Film Award
Lesson Learned [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Bálint Szimler
scheda film] – Bálint Szimler (Hungary)
Special Mention
March to May [+leggi anche:
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intervista: Martin Pavol Repka
scheda film] – Martin Pavel Repka (Slovakia/Czech Republic)

Best Short Film Award
Confession – Rebeka Bizubová (Slovakia)
Special Mention
Yarê – Sallar Othma (Germany/Syria)

Best Documentary Film Award
Fragments of Ice [+leggi anche:
recensione
scheda film] – Maria Stoianova (Ukraine/Norway)

Bratislava Industry Days

Best Febio Pitch Award
Seablindness – Tereza Smetanová (Slovakia, short film)

Cineuropa Work in Progress Award
Animals of the East – Anna Ďurišíková, Andrej Kolenčík (Slovakia)

Tatino Films Award
Dreaming Differences – Kateřina Hroníková (Slovakia/Czech Republic)

MIDPOINT Consulting Award
Hardsub – Novruz Hikmet (Ukraine/Germany/Poland)

KFF Industry Award
Prometea – Kristína Žilinčárová (Slovakia/Czech Republic)