The inaugural Adriatic Film TV Awards (AFA Awards) have been handed out to honor the regions best achievements in film and television, with Croatian Oscar contender Fiume o morte! being honored as the best film, and director Igor Bezinovi also receiving the AFA for best director and best screenplay.

The AFAAward for best debut film went toKaj ti je deklica, directed byUrka Djuki.

The AFA Award for best leading actress went toJara Sofija Ostanfor her performance in Djukis debut, while Leon Luevwas named best leading actor for hisrole in The Working Class Goes to Hell, directed by Mladen orevi. Meanwhile, the Rising Star Award waspresented toLidija Kordifor her role in The Working Class Goes to Hell.

In television, the AFA Award for best TV series went toOperation Sabre, created byVladimir Tagi and Goran Stankovi.The AFA Award for leadingactress in a series went toMilica Gojkovi, withDragan Mianoviwinning the AFA best actor honor, both for their roles in Operation Sabre.

Winners were selected by a jury made up of more than 550 members of the Film and TVAcademy, which is currently being established to bring together professionals from across the Adriatic regionand various fields of the film industry. The Academy is being founded bymembers of the Adriatic Region Festival Network, namely the Sarajevo Film Festival, the Festival of AuteurFilm Belgrade and the Zagreb Film Festival.

The first edition of the Adriatic Film Awards is everything we have dreamed of and planned for years, saidMirsad Purivatra, president of the AFA Committee.We celebrate the creativity of this entire region and hope this will become an additional form ofrecognition for our directors and actors. The awards event was held at the Porto Montenegro venue in Tivat, Montenegro.

Highlighted JovanMarjanovi, director of the Sarajevo Film Festival: This is not just an award ceremony. It is a space for ongoing dialogue, knowledge exchange andintergenerational solidarity. A place where experienced filmmakers and producers pave the way fornewcomers, where learning and sharing occur and where the entire region is recognized for what ittruly is one of the most vital and creative film spaces in Europe. This event connects not only filmprofessionals but also audiences, representing a cultural treasure of tomorrow.