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The 32nd European Film Festival Palić closed with the presentation of awards to the best films

24.07.2025.

The 32nd European Film Festival Palić concluded on Wednesday, July 23, at the Summer Stage in Palić, with a formal ceremony presenting the festival awards to the best European films, followed by screenings of "Echoes of the Plains" by Maja Uzelac and “Out of Control” by Anne Le Ny.

The international jury of the Parallels and Encounters program awarded a Special Mention to “The Black Hole” by Moonika Siimets, while the Best Film Award in the same competition went to “Honeymoon” by Zhanna Ozirna.

Moonika Siimets addressed the audience in a video message: "As a human species, we are currently going through a difficult and dark period. The only thing that helps us stay strong, with a clear mind and a pure heart, is the ability to laugh. I think humor is a very serious thing, which can save lives. Thank you to the festival team and organizers who created such a great program and atmosphere. I really hope that you will continue this rhythm for many more years."

Zhanna Ozirna said in a recorded message: "I want to express my deep gratitude for this award, on behalf of myself and the film crew. I also thank the army of Ukraine for giving me the opportunity to make this film, and especially my friends who are currently on the front lines: filmmakers, poets, journalists, artists, who fight not only for my country, but also for my right to speak, create, and exist."

The FIPRESCI Award for Best Film in the Official Selection was awarded to “Quiet Life” by Alexandros Avranas.

The Greek director addressed the audience via video: "It is a great honor that my work has been recognized by critics who still believe that film has a responsibility – not only to entertain, but to disturb, provoke, ask difficult questions. Especially in these dangerous times we live in. “Quiet Life” is not an easy film, nor was it ever intended as such. It talks about the silent violence we are surrounded by every day – the one that wears a suit, follows the rules, and smiles politely while bullying people. I believe that silence can be political, and passivity can be considered a form of complicity. This film of mine is a rejection of both approaches. Thank you to the European Film Festival Palić for standing up for a film that does not try to fit in, for giving space to stories that question the status quo."

The international jury of the Official Selection program awarded Special Mention to “Out of Control” by Anne Le Ny.

Paolo Marinou-Blanco, winner of the Palić Tower for Best Director for his film “Dreaming of Lions,” addressed the audience from one of the film's shooting locations: "Many thanks to everyone at the festival, all jury members and programmers. Thanks to Miroslav Mogorović, and especially Nikolaj Nikitin, for wholeheartedly supporting this film from the very beginning. This is a great honor."

The Golden Tower for Best Film of the Official Selection program went to “Two Prosecutors” by Sergei Loznitsa, who is also this year’s laureate of the Aleksandar Lifka Award for Outstanding Contribution to European Cinema.

Upon receiving the award at the Summer Stage, Sergei Loznitsa said: “This is a great honor for all of us who participated in the creation of this film. This is a creative team of people who come from six countries; it's a real European movie. I could hear eight different languages on set, and I love that. Because like here at the festival, everyone comes from their own cultural background. And it's great when we unite all these different cultures in the creative process. Thank you.”

Before the screening of "Echoes of the Plains," the audience was introduced to the film crew led by director Maja Uzelac, as well as the main protagonist of this production – the local music legend Zvonko Bogdan, who shared an anecdote from his youth.

The 32nd European Film Festival Palić took place from July 19 to 23, 2025, in Palić and Subotica, organized by the Open University of Subotica. Films were screened at multiple venues, including the unique Summer Stage in Palić and the Eurocinema, Abazija and Lifka theatres. This year’s edition presented over 140 films across 16 sections in the pre-festival and festival program.

The European Film Festival Palić has been supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, the Provincial Secretariat for Culture, Public Information and Relations with Religious Communities, the City of Subotica, the European Union through the Creative Europe MEDIA program, as well as numerous partners and media sponsors.

For 29 years, Gorki List has proudly stood alongside the European Film Festival Palić as a long- term partner and supporter of film art that inspires and connects. Believing in the power of authentic expression and meaningful dialogue with audiences, Gorki List will once again, in keeping with tradition, present the Audience Award for Best Film. By listening to the voices of the viewers, Gorki List affirms their role as essential allies of art, which lives on through those who truly appreciate and understand it.