Five awards honor the best works in video art, narrative, experimental short film, short film, and documentary
The winners of the fourth edition of the Gjon Mili Video Art Festival have been announced, marking another important moment for contemporary creativity in video art, experimental cinema, and new forms of visual expression.
This year’s awards recognized works from several countries, addressing themes such as memory, identity, the body, landscape, art, history, and the human experience.
Winner – Best Video Art
CONTRO (Versus)
Directed by Maria Grazia Carriero
Italy
The award for Best Video Art went to “CONTRO (Versus)”, directed by Maria Grazia Carriero. Set within the striking landscape of the Lucanian badlands, this poetic visual work transforms ritual, memory, and the female body into a collective act of care and healing. Through a powerful interplay of performance, sound, and landscape, the film reflects on loss, resilience, and humanity’s enduring connection with the earth.
Winner – Best Narrative
Kingdom of Animals
Directed by Thadeusz Tischbein
Germany
The award for Best Narrative went to “Kingdom of Animals”, directed by Thadeusz Tischbein. The film takes viewers on a thought-provoking journey through Germany’s monumental landscapes, where history, mythology, and imagination intertwine. Blending documentary observation with fictional speculation, the director explores the symbolic presence of animals within the nation’s historical monuments, drawing unexpected connections to the myths and fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Through a distinctive visual language, the film reflects on memory, identity, and the enduring narratives that shape both landscapes and collective consciousness.
Winner – Best Experimental Short Film
Atelier Garel
Directed by Thomas Lallier
France
The award for Best Experimental Short Film went to “Atelier Garel”, directed by Thomas Lallier. Set within the quiet landscape of Normandy, the film offers an intimate encounter with the studio of French sculptor and painter Philippe Garel. In the artist’s absence, his paintings and sculptures become the protagonists of the work, creating a poetic dialogue between creation, memory, and material. Through a sensitive cinematic approach, Thomas Lallier transforms the studio into a living space where artworks seem to breathe.
Winner – Best Short Film
SOS
Directed by Anita Morina
Albania
The award for Best Short Film went to “SOS”, directed by Anita Morina. The film powerfully and sensitively addresses the urgency of human experience, combining emotional storytelling with strong visual language. Through a compelling narrative and careful cinematic construction, “SOS” reflects on resilience, vulnerability, and hope.
Winner – Best Documentary
DEZO HOFFMANN – Photographer of The Beatles
Directed by Laura Sivakova-Passova & Patrik Lancaric
Slovakia
The award for Best Documentary went to “DEZO HOFFMANN – Photographer of The Beatles”, directed by Laura Sivakova-Passova and Patrik Lancaric. The documentary is dedicated to the life and legacy of renowned photographer Dezo Hoffmann, whose iconic images helped shape the visual identity of the legendary band The Beatles. Combining rare archival material with careful storytelling, the film offers an intimate portrait of one of the most influential photographers in music history.
The fourth edition of the Gjon Mili Video Art Festival once again confirmed the importance of the festival as an international platform for authors, artists, and directors seeking new forms of expression through image, sound, and visual experimentation.