KINGFISHER AWARD
An international jury award presented by the general sponsor, Telekom Slovenije, d.d., to the best film of the Perspectives section.
International jury: Marina Gumzi, Ayla Kanbur, Bálint Szimler
Blue Haron (By: Sophy Romvari)
The jury, diverse in tastes but open to thoughtful debate, saw and discussed ten significantly different films.
That is even more why, at the end of this process, we are not choosing a winner, but rather offering our warm recommendation.
We have decided to honour the LIFFE 2025 Vodomec Award to the remarkably unique Blue Heron, a quiet reflection on disability, memory and grief.
Patiently and with refined precision, the director uses film as a canvas to capture time but also as a dialectical means for re-viewing an unsettling family situation. In doing so, she doesn't shy away from being as personal and specific as one can possibly be and it is magical when universality is found in this specificity.
A deeply moving work of art.
Special Mention:
A Sad and Beautiful World (By: Cyril Aris)
In a region where persistent bomb threats and political turmoil prevent life from moving forward, people find themselves trapped in a repetitive fate, with little sense of the ideal future they imagine for themselves. As communities fragment and people leave their homeland, the film asks what, if anything, remains to hold on to: perhaps a fable-like love, fragile and almost impossible.
The film explores this contradiction with a confident, finely balanced cinematic language — enriched by humor and brought to life through lovable, deeply human characters.
For illuminating this tension with clarity, and emotional precision, the Jury presents its Special Mention to A Sad and Beautiful World.”
BEST SHORT FILM AWARD
Presented by ACTUAL I.T.
Jury: Maja Alibegović, Rok Kajzer Nagode, Gábor Osváth
An Orange from Jaffa (By: Mohammed Almughanni)
A film that plays like a thriller while dealing with a timely subject and features two incredible acting performances, which made it even easier for the jury to pick the winner. The award goes to The Orange from Jaffa by Mohammed Almughanni.
Special Mention:
Ceasefire / Prekid vatre (R: Jakob Krese)
The film convinced us with its directness and raw approach. The Special Mention goes to Jakob Krese for the film Ceasefire.
FIPRESCI PRIZE
An award presented by the jury of the International Federation of Film Critics
International jury: Tinkara Uršič Fratina, Slovenija; Diana Martirosyan, Armenija; Shahla Nahid, Francija
Ida Who Sang So Badly Even the Dead Rose Up and Joined Her in Song/Ida, ki je pela tako grdo, da so še mrtvi vstali od mrtvih in zapeli z njo (By: Ester Ivakič)
A sensitive and profound film about coming to terms with life and death, entirely carried by the pre-adolescent lead actress, inhabited by her character. A film that lives in the space between worlds, where atmosphere and subtlety outweigh explicit explanation. It creates an authentic feeling of childhood in the countryside, woven through with elements of magical realism that reflect the main character’s emotions. Fipresci Prize goes to Ester Ivakič’s film Ida Who Sang So Badly Even the Dead Rose Up and Joined Her in Song.
KINOTRIP YOUNG JURY PRIZE
This year's jury consists of five members of the 10th Kinotrip Film Club Zarja Debeljak, Maruša Gedrih, Mila Gorkič, Estel Erika Tagliaferri, Ema Žvanut.
Sandbag Dam / Zečji nasip (By: Čejen Černić)
Of the five competing titles, the film that left the strongest impression was the one depicting a queer relationship with exceptional authenticity and tenderness. Every touch and glance carries a deeper meaning, supported by a naturalistic colour palette. The vulnerability of the wild rabbit as natural prey is a constant symbol in the story. The film is a poignant yet beautiful portrayal of uncertain, clandestine young love. The handheld camera creates tension and reveals the characters’ inner worlds, while the plot points up the intolerance still rooted in the traditional society of our region. The Kinotrip Young Jury Award goes to Sandbag Dam by Čejen Černić Čanak.
AKMS – SLOVENIAN ART CINEMA ASSOCIATION AWARD
Jury members: Erik Toth, Izola; Jure Matičič, Domžale; Vid Šteh, Trbovlje
Two Prosecutors / Dva prokuroraTwo Prosecutors / Dva prokurora(By: Sergej Loznica)
It seems increasingly likely that history is doomed to repeat itself. Despite the many tragedies and devastation left behind by totalitarian regimes, it seems that we have learned nothing from the often shocking and bloody lessons of history. This makes the existence of art all the more important, as it serves to remind us of past injustices and thus prevent them from sinking into oblivion. Two Prosecutors, a combination of courtroom thriller, crime drama, and historical drama, takes place in Stalin's Russia in 1937, when political paranoia, systemic violence, and the suppression of truth were part of daily reality for citizens living a life of fear and obedience. Directed and written by Sergei Loznitsa, the tense film is pervaded by an authentically dark atmosphere, featuring superb acting performances and, despite its historical distance, carries universal resonance, revealing the terrifying instruments of totalitarian regimes that seek to create obedient and undemanding citizens without a clear moral compass or conscience. Through the story of an idealistic prosecutor who, through a small act of rebellion, begins to expose corruption within Stalin's secret police, Loznitsa subtly draws numerous parallels with current events both in Russia and elsewhere in the world, where we are once again witnessing the unchecked rise of totalitarian regimes and their leaders. That is precisely why films such as Two Prosecutors are so necessary; art, in this case cinema, has the power to remind viewers of the tragedies of human history that we naively believe cannot be repeated.
DRAGON AUDIENCE AWARD
The festival audience voted for their favourite film, which receives the Audience Award. The highest score, 4,63, was given to the film: A Sad And Beautiful World (By: Cyril Aris)
Film | Score |
A Sad And Beautiful World | 4,63 |
Psycho Therapy | 4,51 |
Yugo Florida | 4,49 |
U Are the Universe | 4,42 |
Wind, Talk to Me | 4,33 |
80+ | 4,27 |
A Loose End | 4,23 |
Traffic | 4,20 |
Growing Down | 4,19 |
Divine Comedy | 4,12 |
Blue Heron | 4,10 |
The Devil Smokes | 4,05 |
The Botanist | 3,78 |
The Mastermind | 3,29 |
VOTING FOR THE BEST FILM OF THE ADRIATIC FESTIVAL NETWORK
The voting for the Best Film of the Network of Festivals in the Adriatic Region at 36th Liffe concluded on Sunday, 23 November 2025.
The 36th Liffe audience gave the highest score to Maldoror/Maldoror with the score 4.59.
36th Liffe Film | Score |
Maldoror | 4.59 |
Miyazaki:Spirit of Nature | 4.45 |
Christy | 4.44 |
Perla | 4.26 |
Renovation | 4.07 |
In Adam's Interest | 4.05 |
Zoran Predin
kantavtor (za Delo)
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