“Fiume o Morte!” Dominates Adriatic Film Awards

The inaugural Adriatic Film and TV Awards (AFA), held at Porto Montenegro in Tivat, Montenegro, celebrated the region’s finest cinematic and television achievements, with Igor Bezinović’s “Fiume o Morte!” emerging as a significant winner. The Croatian, Italian, and Slovenian co-production secured the accolades for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, marking a strong start for the newly established awards ceremony.

‘Fiume o Morte!’: A Celebrated Triple Triumph

“Fiume o Morte!,” a docudrama co-produced by Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia, captivated the jury of over 560 members of the Adriatic Film and TV Academy. The film, directed by Igor Bezinović, delves into Gabriele D’Annunzio’s 1919 occupation of Rijeka, exploring how the city became a crucible for diverse political and artistic ideas that blended utopian ideals with extremism. Bezinović was honored with both the Best Director and Best Screenplay awards for his work on the film.

Distinguished Winners Across Film Categories

Beyond the success of “Fiume o Morte!”, other film talents received recognition at the awards ceremony, which featured 10 categories in total. Jara Sofija Ostan was named Best Leading Actress for her role in Urška Djukić’s “Kaj ti je deklica” (Little Trouble Girls). Djukić’s film, a Slovenian, Italian, Croatian, and Serbian co-production which premiered at the Berlinale, also earned the Best Debut Film award. Leon Lučev took home the Best Leading Actor award for his performance in Mladen Đorđević’s “The Working Class Goes to Hell.” The Rising Star Award was presented to Lidija Kordić for her work in the same film. Kordić, a Montenegrin actress, has also gained international attention for her role in the Italian film “Diva Futura” and was selected for the European Shooting Stars program at the Berlin Film Festival.

Recognizing Excellence in Television

The television categories also saw significant acknowledgments. The award for Best TV Series went to “Operation Sabre,” a co-production between Serbia and Bulgaria, created by Vladimir Tagić and Goran Stanković. This historical drama is based on the events surrounding the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić in 2003. Milica Gojković and Dragan Mićanović, both stars of “Operation Sabre,” were honored with the Best Leading Actress and Best Leading Actor in a TV series awards, respectively.

The Adriatic Film and TV Academy: Fostering Regional Talent

The winners of the Adriatic Film and TV Awards were chosen by a professional jury comprising over 560 members of the newly established Adriatic Film and TV Academy. This academy aims to unite film and television professionals from across the Adriatic region and was founded by members of the Adriatic Region Festival Network. Key founding festivals include the Sarajevo Film Festival, the Festival of Auteur Film in Belgrade, and the Zagreb Film Festival. The inaugural awards ceremony, held from October 24 to October 26, 2025, at the Museum of Nautical Heritage in Porto Montenegro, Tivat, served as a platform for recognizing and promoting regional talent.

Mirsad Purivatra, President of the AFA Committee, expressed his satisfaction with the event, stating that the first edition realized years of planning and dreams, aiming to celebrate regional creativity and provide additional recognition for directors and actors. Jovan Marjanović, Director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, emphasized that the awards represent more than just a ceremony; they are a space for ongoing dialogue, knowledge exchange, and intergenerational solidarity, where experienced filmmakers can guide newcomers. Boris T. Matić, Director of the Zagreb Film Festival, highlighted the strength of co-productions within the region and expressed hope that the awards and academy would further connect creatives and enhance their international visibility. Igor Stanković, Director of the Festival of Auteur Film in Belgrade, viewed the AFA Awards as a bridge between diverse artistic expressions, from small auteur productions to those with wider regional resonance.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Adriatic Cinema

The successful launch of the Adriatic Film and TV Awards and the significant triumph of “Fiume o Morte!” signal a pivotal moment for the film and television industry in the Adriatic region. These awards underscore a growing commitment to recognizing, nurturing, and promoting the diverse creative output of the area. By fostering collaboration and providing a platform for visibility, the Adriatic Film and TV Academy and its awards are poised to play an important role in the future development and international recognition of regional cinema and television. The collective vision of the founding festivals emphasizes artistic freedom and the courage of expression, anticipating a new era of joint filmmaking and heightened international presence.