Anna Jackova

One World Festival Announces Award Winners of Its 26th Edition

Bratislava, 26 October 2025 – The One World International Documentary Film Festival has officially concluded its 26th edition. This year’s top honors were awarded to films united by a powerful theme: human resilience – both personal and collective. They tell stories of overcoming obstacles, of hope, and of solidarity that keeps us moving forward even in difficult times. This theme resonated strongly at a festival that itself faced existential uncertainty at the start of the year. And while the awards ceremony marks the end of the in-person program, One World is far from over: viewers across Slovakia can continue to watch a curated selection of eight documentaries online starting tomorrow through 2 November.

The main Slovak and Czech Human Rights Award went to What About Peťo?, the second feature by director Martin Trabalík. The film follows a father who, after the death of his wife, must raise two teenage children on his own – daughter Vanesa and son Peter, who lives with a severe autism spectrum disorder. While many fathers might walk away, Petr confronts the challenge head-on. The film captures his tireless daily struggle to care for both children, earn a living, and keep the household running.

“This moving film offers an honest and uncompromising look at family relationships,” said the international jury composed of writer and film curator Olivia Popp, filmmaker and visual artist Jakub Socha, and last year’s winning director Jarmila Štuková. “It delivers a sensitive, unvarnished portrayal of the everyday challenges families face while striving to live with dignity and love.”

Martin Trabalík received a €2,000 cash prize and a custom glass statuette designed by Academy of Fine Arts student Jakub Sojka.

A Special Mention in the same category was awarded to Moments of Hope by director Amálie Kovářová. The jury praised the film for “carrying the spirit of Václav Havel and the Velvet Revolution, reminding us that the fight for democracy never ends.” The director received a promotional support voucher worth €5,000 from the festival’s main media partner Aktuality.sk, along with a package of books.

First-Ever European Glitch Award

One World introduced a new international competition section this year – European Glitch – highlighting young filmmakers who push the boundaries of documentary storytelling and bring fresh visions for Europe’s shared future.

The inaugural award went to Georgian director Ketevan Vashagashvili for Nine-Month Contract.

The jury – Ivana Laučíková, Tomáš Poštulka and Lidija Zelovic – commended the film as “a deeply personal and powerful story that reflects not only Georgia’s political context, but also today’s Europe. With its intimate camera and profound trust between the filmmaker and her protagonists, the film offers a feminist perspective rooted in devotion, empathy and empowerment.”

Additional Awards

As in previous years, the DAFilms.sk Award was also presented at the closing ceremony. It went to Moments of Hope. “The film is an antidote to resignation, despair and the societal lethargy that watches the erosion of democracy from the sidelines. It reminds us that every individual matters on the path to change,” the jury stated.

The Student Jury Award – At Second Glance, focused on unconventional documentary forms, was given to the Ukrainian film Militantropos. “Its mosaic of micro-stories forms an organic portrait of a nation without dramatization or pathos,” the student jury said. “Sometimes, no words are needed to grasp the essence of war.”

The Festival Continues Online

Despite financial challenges earlier this year – including a lack of regular support from the Slovak Audiovisual Fund – One World successfully delivered its richest edition yet.

“This year exceeded all expectations,” said festival director Eva Križková. “We welcomed fuller cinemas than ever before and offered our most extensive accompanying program. This success is a testament to the shared effort of all our partners – funders, media, experts and artists – who helped us create a vibrant creative space where artistry and solidarity meet.”

While screenings at Kino Lumière have ended, audiences can continue to enjoy the festival online until 2 November. The following eight films will be available on the One World website and on DAFilms.sk, including the Slovak-Czech Human Rights Award winner:

What About Peťo?
Letters to Hawa
Nine-Month Contract
The Guest
Home Match
Empty Grave
We Are Far from the Lipizzans
My Dear Theo

The online program is accessible exclusively with the CINEPASS ONLINE, available in three pricing tiers: €3 / €20 / €30 – leaving audiences free to choose the level of support.

The main organizer of One World is the non-profit organization People in Need Slovakia.