Slovenian film Hidden people awarded at the festival in Montenegro

On Friday, the 30th anniversary edition of the Black Sea Film Festival in Herceg Novi concluded with the presentation of awards, during which the Slovenian film Skriti ljudje was honored with the Golden Mimosa for Best Screenplay. Directed by Miha Hočevar, the film received praise from the jury for its tender comedy exploring empathy, values, and overcoming differences. The award was shared with co-screenwriter Srđan Koljevič, who has since passed away, and with Vladimir Arsenijević, who wrote the screenplay for another film three weeks later. The festival, which has been running for over three decades, saw participation from a wide array of filmmakers and actors. Among the jurors was Slovenian actor Sebastian Cavazza, who contributed his expertise to the five-member expert jury. The film Skriti ljudje follows two characters, Gutija and Sig, who awaken on a riverbank near Ljubljana after being disoriented and confused. Sig, seemingly a tourist, struggles with memory loss and cannot recall his origins. Together, they embark on a journey to find Sig’s travel documents and identity, while also working on Gutija's dream project, a river cruise. In the film, Gutija is portrayed by Slovenian actor Blaž Šef, and Sig by Icelandic actor Olafur Darri Olafsson. Additional cast members include Luka Marčetić, Barbara Ribnikar, Ana Urbanc, Janez Hočevar, Igor Samobor, and others. The film is produced by Vertigo and will be available in Slovenian cinemas starting October 8. Other Slovenian films also received recognition at the festival. The co-produced film 17 režiserke by Kosare Mitić, directed by Goran Stanković, won the Golden Mimosa for Best Direction. The film Skejtanje ni za punce, directed by Dine Dume, was awarded a special prize for its powerful message on gender equality and inclusion. Additionally, student filmmaker Ema Paš from AGRFT in Ljubljana received a special award for visual identity and introspective storytelling for her film Vse, kar sem kadarkoli želela slišati. All these Slovenian films were supported by the Slovenian Film Center. The grand winner of the festival was Oče naš, also directed by Goran Stanković. It received the Grand Golden Mimosa for Best Film along with awards for Best Direction, Best Male Role, and the Film Critics Award. This marked a notable achievement for the director, whose work continues to gain international acclaim. The festival, held annually in Herceg Novi, serves as a platform for emerging and established filmmakers from around the world. With its focus on diverse narratives and cinematic excellence, it attracts both local and international audiences. The success of Slovenian films at this year’s edition highlights the growing influence of Slovenian cinema on the global stage. As the festival draws to a close, attention turns to upcoming screenings and further opportunities for these films to reach wider audiences.