Group photo;
Credit: Elza Osmane, Chronicle.lu
On Saturday 24 October 2026, the nineteenth CinEast Film Festival held its awards ceremony at Kinepolis in Luxembourg-Kirchberg, announcing this year's winning films.
Festival Director Radek Lipka opened the ceremony by announcing that attendance had already exceeded 8,500 participants, with final figures expected to surpass 11,000 for the third time in the festival's history.
Reflecting on the efforts behind the event, he thanked the organisers, volunteers and audiences for creating a sense of community, stressing that the experience of sharing films "could absolutely not be replaced by any home cinema or tablet or small screen".
Paul Galles, Alderman of the City of Luxembourg (VdL), highlighted the festival's role in encouraging social debate. Recalling a discussion with Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, he said cinema could open the door to conversations beyond the screen and encourage mutual understanding.
The programme continued with Member of the European Parliament Marc Angel raising concerns about a proposed 30% cut to a broader European Union (EU) funding programme supporting culture, including the Creative Europe initiative. He pledged to oppose the reduction, stressing that "culture is such a fantastic instrument for cohesion" and an important tool against disinformation. He also emphasised solidarity with Ukraine and Belarus.
Following a video showcasing highlights from this year's festival, the three juries announced their decisions.
Young Talents Award
The Young Talents Jury, comprising students from the Lycée des Arts et Métiers, described watching the competing films as "quite a rollercoaster of emotions". They said the experience had inspired them as future filmmakers before awarding the Young Talents Award to I Matter by Romanian director Alina Şerban.
Critics' Prize
The Critics' Prize went to Shame and Money by Kosovar director Visar Morina. Presenting the Press Jury's decision, journalist Öykü Sofuoğlu praised its portrayal of socio-economic difficulties and its challenge to established class structures.
International Jury Awards
International Jury President Ildikó Enyedi described the seven competing films as bold and ambitious, remarking that it was rare for the jury to feel that "two awards are not enough".
The jury awarded a Special Mention to Only Beautiful Things to Look At by Slovak director Ivan Ostrochovský, recognising its exploration of institutional violence and moral responsibility.
The Special Jury Prize, meanwhile, went to Tell Me What You Feel by Polish director Łukasz Ronduda, whose storytelling and exploration of acceptance impressed the jury. In a video message, the director explained that his film explored how younger generations respond to difficult circumstances through emotional connection. "They counter brutality with love," he said.
Grand Prix
The festival's Grand Prix went to Dua by Kosovar director Blerta Basholli.
In a recorded message, Blerta Basholli dedicated the award to her recently deceased mother and reflected on the difficulties of raising children during wartime, noting that many children continue to face such circumstances today.
Audience Awards
The Audience Award for Best Feature Film went to In Hell with Ivo by Bulgarian director Kristina Nikolova. The audience also recognised three short films: Gadjé by Georges Vanev (Best Fiction Short Film), Fragments of Resistance by Levan Tskhovrebadze and Ani Kiladze (Best Documentary Short Film) and Fin People by Veronika Hozjan (Best Animated Short Film).
Before closing the ceremony, Radek Lipka thanked the festival's team and more than 80 volunteers, recalling how CinEast had grown from nineteen screenings in 2008 to 120 screenings and 65 films this year.
The festival's CinEast4Ukraine campaign has raised more than €4,000 so far, with organisers aiming to at least double the amount to finance another ambulance for Ukraine.
The ceremony concluded with a screening of The Diary of a Chambermaid by Romanian director Radu Jude, followed by a networking reception.
The festival concluded on Sunday 25 October 2026, with more than 30 films and programmes remaining available through the CinEast Online Cinema until Tuesday 10 November 2026.
