The South East European Film Festival in Los Angeles has wrapped its 20th edition with the presentation of jury and audience awards.
DJ Ahmet, directed by North Macedonian filmmaker Georgi M. Unkovski, won SEEfest‘s Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film.
“A lyrical coming of age story set in a Yuruk village in North Macedonia – manages to be both deeply relatable and rapturously original,” wrote the jury, comprised of Tessa Blake, Robert Bailey, and Marlis Pujol. “With beautiful and evocative cinematography and nuanced storytelling, Georgi M. Unkovski (writer/director) captures the universal pain of a young man trying to find his place in the world. Utilizing the deeply specific details of the setting, Unkovski creates a rich and complex experience, saturating us in Ahmet’s point of view. The performances are gorgeous allowing the film to envelop the audience in its humanist grace.”
The SEEfest jury prize comes with a cash award furnished by Montage Media. “Congratulations on your film winning SEEfest 2025!” Montage Media President E’Ian West said in a statement. “Your storytelling and execution clearly reflect the time, dedication, and passion you poured into this project. We are truly inspired by your work and eagerly look forward to your next artistic endeavor. As a token of our support, Montage Media Production Company will be awarding you a cash prize when you enter pre-production on your next project. Here’s to more powerful stories ahead!”
In the nonfiction film categories, At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking, directed and shot by Maja Novaković, won two prizes, including Best Documentary Film.
“How can a film with hardly any plot or dialogue grab you by the lapels and not let go? See this film and find out!” wrote the jury comprised of Sarah Anthony and Gabi Hayes. “An old man and his horse share an intense bond as they survive the cold and lonely winter in the snowy Bosnian countryside. Each exquisite frame is like a painting. We’re still thinking about it weeks later. It was our favorite film.”
Maja Novaković’s film also won Best Cinematography In A Documentary Film. The jury in that category, made up of Ivan Cordeiro, Mark Hayes, and Denny Dugally, wrote, “In At The Door Of The House Who Will Come Knocking, isolation is skillfully portrayed through an atmospheric setting, giving the story a captivating, dreamlike quality reminiscent of a folktale. The narrative unfolds and evolves over time, steadily peeling away psychological layers and adding depth through creative additions. Director Maja Novakovic strikes a balance between restraint and gentle nudging, allowing the story to breathe while occasionally adding subtle touches to coax it forward. Her very intimate use of the camera added by a relentless patience gives the film a meditational feeling that ultimately works beyond mere and vain life philosophy.”
SEEfest, founded in 2006 by film critic and cultural entrepreneur Vera Mijojlić, is co-presented by ELMA — foundation for European Languages and Movies in America. The 20th anniversary edition of the event – showcasing films in competition come from 20 countries of South and Eastern Europe — ran from April 30 to May 7. Serving as the SEEfest’s honorary chair was Bulgarian American actress and singer Irina Maleeva.
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