The third edition of the UPWARD Student Film Festival, organized by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Prishtina, concluded with an awards ceremony and the announcement of this year’s winners.
Held from 8 to 11 July 2026, the festival transformed Prishtina into a meeting point for emerging filmmakers, film students, university professors, and cinema professionals from countries around the world.
This year’s edition attracted significant international interest. Out of a total of 1,424 submissions, 69 films from 36 countries were selected for the Official Programme and screened over the four days of the festival.
The closing ceremony opened with the screening of The Bell That Never Rang, written and directed by Majlind Beluli. Following the screening, the film’s team was invited to the stage and greeted by the audience, before the ceremony continued with the presentation of awards to the most distinguished films, directors, and performers of this year’s edition.
The winners were selected by three professional juries. The Media Jury consisted of Mirjeta Baraliu, Arta Berisha, and Ardiana Thaçi-Mehmeti. The University Jury comprised Prof. Assoc. Dr. Albana Berisha, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Avni Puka, and Prof. Assoc. Dr. Abdulla Rexhepi, while the International Jury was composed of Agron Domi, Agnes Nokshiqi, and Ricardo Spencer.
The Media Jury Award – The Critical Eye Award – was presented to The Bell That Never Rang, directed by Majlind Beluli from Kosovo.
The Media Jury also presented two special mentions. Soma, directed by Aliza Brugger from the United States of America, was recognised for its emotional portrayal of the relationship between two half-sisters, as well as for its cinematography, music, and editing, which create a powerful atmosphere and keep the audience engaged from beginning to end.
A special mention was also awarded to the animated film (DIS)CONNECTED, by Yoni from Bulgaria, for its metaphorical exploration of loneliness, social anxiety, and the isolation experienced by contemporary individuals. The film highlights the paradox of a society that is increasingly connected through technology, while individuals continue to experience loneliness and alienation.
The University Award – The University Spirit Award – was presented to The Egotist, directed by Alice M. Horta from Portugal.
According to the University Jury, the film was selected for its compelling exploration of identity and self-reflection, conveyed through a powerful artistic vision and distinguished technical execution. The film reflects the intellectual vitality and creative spirit at the heart of the university tradition, while affirming the values of community, dialogue, and cultural engagement.
As part of the International Jury Awards, the Best Director Award was presented to Mateo Di Tommaso for the film Under an Ancient Skin from Argentina.
The Best Performance Award was presented to actress Wioletta Kopańska for her performance in The Good Woman. The Best Performance Award was presented by the Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Academic Exchange of the University of Prishtina, Asst. Prof. Asst. Dr. Rozafa Basha.
The International Jury also awarded two special mentions. One was presented to The Bell That Never Rang, directed by Majlind Beluli from Kosovo, and the other to (DIS)CONNECTED, by Yoni from Bulgaria.
The festival’s main prize, the Grand Prix UPWARD – The Rising Film Award – was presented to Branches of Solace, directed by Joyanta Kumar Gayen from Bangladesh.
The award for Best Student Film was presented by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Dr. Hazir Haziri, who congratulated the winners and all participating filmmakers for their work, dedication, and contribution to the festival’s third edition.
Through film screenings, discussions with filmmakers, lectures, masterclasses, and other professional activities, the UPWARD Student Film Festival created a space for the exchange of experiences, ideas, and practices among students, professors, and film professionals.
The third edition concluded with a group photograph bringing together the winners, jury members, organizers, and guests, reaffirming the festival’s commitment to continuing to support, promote, and internationalize the creative work of new generations of filmmakers.
The UPWARD Student Film Festival was organized by the Faculty of Arts of the University of Prishtina, with the support of the Kosovo Cinematography Center, the Prishtina International Summer University – PISU 2026, the Ministry of Culture, the Embassy of Italy in Prishtina, and ABC Cinema.