Catane, Fantasy, and 9-Month Contract Shine at the South East European Film Festival
Catane, the directing debut of Romanian filmmaker Ioana Mischie, garnered the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film at SEEfest, the South East European Film Festival held in Los Angeles.
Set in a remote village in Romania, Mischie’s comedy follows residents who all apply for government benefits due to alleged disabilities. Their claims attract the scrutiny of government officials, leading to a series of humorous interactions.
The SEEfest jury commented, “In a world overflowing with content, it’s rare to encounter a story that feels new. From the directing and cinematography to the lighting and costume design, the winner of this competition invited us to experience cinema and storytelling in a way that felt vibrant, alive, relatable, and deeply human.”
‘Catane’
Intra Movies
The jury, which included Adriana Trautman, Moneer Yaqubi, and Christopher O’Conner, noted, “Catane reminds us why innovation and creativity in storytelling still matters. It is as fascinating as it is magical. It is refreshing and inspiring to see creativity win, especially when paired with what appeared to have been a talented team of filmmakers.”
Watch on Deadline
‘Fantasy’
Krug Film
The Best Ensemble Award at SEEfest was awarded to Fantasy, directed by Kukla. The jury praised the film as “a luminous breakthrough in Slovenian cinema, expertly blending urban grit with magical realism. This visionary work captures a yearning for liberation through sensory-rich experiences that feel both local and universally poetic.”
Fantasy also received an Honorable Mention for Best Feature Film as well as recognition for its cinematography, awarded to DOP Lazar Bogdanovic.
The festival recognized Father, directed by Tereza Nvotová, with the Best Cinematography award for its stunning visuals, captured by cinematographer Adam Suzin.
Milan Ondrík in ‘Father’
Moloko Film/Intra Movies
The cinematography jury commended Father for its mastery of camera movement and lighting, stating, “The continuous 360-degree camera shot efforts supported the story and emphasized tension, with excellent lighting complementing the cast’s performances.”
The jury further noted, “The cinematography in Father was top-notch, combining compelling camera composition and movement with beautifully accomplished technocrane work.”
Honorable mentions in the Best Cinematography category went to Fantasy and Our Father, directed by Goran Stanković, shot by Dragan Vildovic.
Our Father also received the Audience Award in the Feature Film category.
Father and Our Father were recognized by Cinema Without Borders with the Bridging the Borders Award; Father was awarded for its powerful narrative on a father’s grief after a tragic accident with his child.
An Honorable Mention from the jury for Our Father highlighted the film’s exploration of a priest’s rigorous methods to rehabilitate drug addicts.
The 21st edition of SEEfest concluded with an awards ceremony at the Laemmle Royal Theatre in Los Angeles. The festival featured the North American premiere of Jakub Kroner’s Černák, a sequel chronicling the rise and fall of a local mafia boss in Slovakia.
9-Month Contract, directed by Ketevan Vashagashvili, won the award for Best Documentary Film at SEEfest. The jury praised it for its heartfelt portrayal of a mother who surrogates to support her daughter, emphasizing the film’s ability to evoke deep empathy for the family’s struggles while concluding with a hopeful message.
An Honorable Mention in the Best Documentary Film category was awarded to Militantropos, directed by Yelizaveta Smith, Alina Gorlova, and Simon Mozgovyi.
The jury described Militantropos as a unique perspective on life in wartime, capturing the cultural impact of constant conflict through fresh angles.
The Beauty of the Donkey, directed by Dea Gjinovci, received the Audience Award in the Documentary Feature category and also won for Best Cinematography, recognizing the work of cinematographer Maxime Kathari.
The jury highlighted the film’s strong visual composition and emotional depth, noting its ability to evoke memory and nostalgia throughout a father-daughter journey.
Honorable mentions in the Nonfiction Cinematography category went to Militantropos, Electing Ms. Santa, directed by Raisa Razmerita, and My Dear Theo, directed and shot by Alisa Kovalenko.
The following awards were also announced at SEEfest:
SHORT FICTION
WINNER
PLACE UNDER THE SUN
Director: Vlad Bolgarin / Country: Moldova
The jury praised PLACE UNDER THE SUN for its poignant portrayal of a father-son relationship, capturing the essence of dignity and empathy in everyday struggles.
HONORABLE MENTION
ERASERHEAD IN A KNITTED SHOPPING BAG
Director: Lili Koss / Country: Romania
The jury recognized this short film for its atmospheric exploration of childhood obsession and resilience, using rich visual narration to evoke universal emotions.
SHORT DOCUMENTARY
WINNER
AROUND THE CLOCK
Director: Marina Musulin / Country: Croatia
The jury praised AROUND THE CLOCK for crafting an engaging slice-of-life portrait without the need for narration or title cards.
HONORABLE MENTION
PALACES OF MEMORY
Director: Matlab Mukhtarov / Country: Azerbaijan
The film was noted for its innovative exploration of nostalgia and memory through vivid imagery.
SHORT ANIMATION
WINNER
SILENT CINEMA
Director: Krste Gospodinovski / Country: North Macedonia
The jury praised SILENT CINEMA as a beautifully crafted cinematic achievement using stop-motion techniques.
HONORABLE MENTION
DISTURBIA
Director: Mira Yankova / Country: Bulgaria
This film was lauded for its inspired, visually stunning approach to addressing personal themes.
HONORABLE MENTION
FAČUK
Director: Maida Srabovic / Country: Croatia, Slovenia
This film was recognized for its whimsical storytelling, blending difficult subjects with beautiful artistic design.
