On World Animation Day, October 28, awards were given for the best films at the 17th International Animated Film Festival BANJA LUKA 2025.

- GRAND PRIX - “ Syn / Snn ” - Zhanna Bekmambetova - Russian Federation, Kazakhstan;

- Award for Creativity and Artistic Expression - “Crni dim predviđanja... / Black Smoke of Predictions...” - Damir Šuša - Croatia;

- Award for Best Animation Techniques - “Zwerman / Murmuration" - Janneke Swinkels and Tim Frijsinger - Netherlands;

- Award for Best Children's Film - “A Cada Dia Que Passa / With Each Passing Day" - Emanuel Nevado - Portugal, Slovenia;

- Award for Best student film - "How to make a friend" - Jinfei Ge, Bin He, Myrtille Huet, Julie Jarrier-Stettin, Yuqiang Zhang - France;

- Special Mention - "Kralj ničega / King of Nothing" - Aleksa Gajić - Serbia;

- Special Mention - "OKovy / Gaze" - Alexandra Domnina - Russian Federation;

- Audience award - "Žarko, You Will Spoil the Child!" - Veljko Popović, Milivoj Popović - Croatia, France.

 

JURY DECISION ON THE AWARDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED FILM FESTIVAL “BANJA LUKA 2025”

The jury consisting of Andrej Rehak (Croatia), president of the jury, and members Bojana Vidosavljević (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Milan Marić (Serbia), made the following The decision on the awards of the 17th International Animated Film Festival BANJALUKA 2025, namely:

• GRAND PRIX goes to film SYN / SON directed by Zhanna Bekmambetova, a Kazakhstani Russian production.

This year’s Grand Prix is awarded to a film that captivated us with its simple, yet profoundly timeless and heartfelt story about parenthood. The carefully crafted characters achieve their full depth through outstanding design and sculptural execution. Exceptionally high-quality cinematography further enhances the masterfully conceived and skilfully utilized technique of stop-motion animation.

• Award for creativity and artistic expression goes to film THE BLACK SMOKE OF PREDICTION… directed by Damir Šuša, a Croatian production.

The Jury Award for Creativity and Artistic Expression goes to a film that has creatively used the possibilities of animation to portray the regionalization of the world by playfully engaging with traditional elements on both the micro and macro levels, all in the service of a witty parody.

• Award for best animation technique goes to film MURMURATION directed by Janneke Swinkels and Tim Frijsinger, produced in The Netherlands.

The Award for Animation Techniques goes to work that explores the boundaries of the demanding discipline of stop-motion animation. In the seemingly sterile atmosphere of a nursing home, we find puppets brought to life with exceptionally skilful, precise, and vivid movement.

•  Award for best children animated film goes to WITH EACH PASSING DAY directed by Emanuel Nevado, Portuguese Slovenian production.

 The Jury Award for Best Children’s Film goes to a timeless story about loneliness, the need for sharing, and an unexpected friendship. We would like to particularly highlight the exceptionally high-quality craftsmanship and animation of the puppet characters — the film’s protagonists.

• Award for best student animated film goes to HOW TO MAKE A FRIEND directed by Jinfei Ge, Bin He, Myrtille Huet, Julie Jarrier Satin and Yuqiang Zhang from France.

The Jury Award for Best Student Film goes to work whose remarkable maturity is reflected in its excellent expressiveness of movement, framing, and editing, telling a heartfelt story of sacrifice and friendship.

• Special Mention for Drawing is awarded to the film KING OF NOTHING by Aleksa Gajić, a Serbian production.
  
  

We present the Special Mention for Drawing to a film that, through its impressive technique and execution, conveys an exceptionally complex, surreal story reminiscent of a stream-of-consciousness novel.

• Special Mention for Film Narration is awarded to the film OKOVY / GAZE by Alexandra Domnina, a Russian production.
  
  

We present the Special Mention for Film Narration to a work that explores paranoia, surveillance mania, fear of contact, and loneliness — sensations that the film’s main heroine overcomes in a humorous and emotionally resonant way.