Dear festival friends,
 
The 15th edition of the SEE FF PARIS-BERLIN-WASHINGTON 2025 is officially closed.
We hope you had a good time with the SEE films.
 
 
The members of the European SEE FF 2025 jury :
Frosa Pejoska-Bouchereau, president,
Madalina Vartejanu-Joubert,
Igor Stanković,
Frederic Fappani von Lothringen, and
Yves Rousslet,
​
announced their winners:

• Best actor : Afrim Muçaj (EVERYBODY CALLS REDJO)  (MK)
• Best actress : Shengyl Ismajli (OCARINA) (KOS) / Sara Klimoska (LENA AND VLADIMIR) (MK)
• Best script : Rajko Grlić, Ante Tomić, Miroslav Krleža  (IT ALL ENDS HERE)  (CRO)
• Best director : Barnabás Tóth (MASTERGAME) (HUN)
• Best feature film : MASTERGAME (HUN) 
• Best short film : AUGUST 13TH  (BUL) 
• Best documentary : DREAMERS (SRB)  /  GRANPA GURU (BIH/ CRO)
• Best animation: THE WEED'S GARDENER (BUL)
• Best feature film debut: Igor Aleksov (LENA AND VLADIMIR) (MK)
  

The awards of the American jury, consisting of:
Patricia Corbett, president,
Jacqueline Headington, and
​Roman Kostovski, are:​

• Best actor: Károly Hajduk (MASTERGAME) (HUN) 
• Best actress: Jelena Đokić (IT ALL ENDS HERE) (CRO)
  
• Best script: Tibor Fonyódi, Barnabás Tóth (MASTERGAME) (HUN) 
• Best director: Barnabás Tóth (MASTERGAME) (HUN) 
• Best feature film:  MASTERGAME (HUN)  
• Best short film: AUGUST 13TH  (BUL) 
• Best documentary: GOODLANDS  (MNE)
• Best animation: THE ROOM.EXE (CRO) /  WHO? (TUR)

​The awards of Academia Balkanica Europeana jury, presided by Jean-Patrick Connerade:

• Best feature film : IT ALL ENDS HERE (CRO) (Rajko Grlić)
• Best director : Vladimir Miča Popović (FIRST CLASS: FULL SPEED!) (SRB)
• Best documentary :  THE LAST YU FILM ROMANTIC (Radoslav T. Stanišić) (MNE)
• Lifetime documentary achievement award : Dragan Elčić

​
Congratulations and SEE you next year! 

​We are thrilled to welcome you to the official opening of the SEE FF 2025 - Paris-Berlin-Washington - Online Edition! This year, we bring the magic of storytelling directly to your screens, connecting audiences and creators across the globe in a celebration of independent cinema, innovation, and creative voices.


From June 3–8, enjoy an inspiring lineup of films from emerging and established filmmakers form Southeastern Europe - available to stream 24/7, only for viewers from France, Germany and USA. From powerful documentaries and bold fiction to experimental shorts and student works, each film reflecting the diversity and depth of global storytelling.

 How to watch the films

1. Go to the festival program page for 2025.
2. Browse the program and select the film you want to watch.
3. Stream films online via our festival platform.

Note: The films will be available only from June 3-8!

 📢 Let the Festival Begin!

This is more than a film festival - it's a global community celebrating the power of cinema to move, inspire, and unite. Thank you for being a part of it.

Start watching now → 

​It is a great pleasure to address the esteemed audience of the SEE FF-Paris-Berlin-Washington 2025 Southeast European Film Festival. For years, the SEE festival has succeeded in showcasing the best of Southeast European cinema to Western Europe and America. Beyond celebrating talent and promoting film professionals, the SEE Film Festival bridges differences, elevates, connects, and fosters mutual learning. In these times of social and political divisions, culture—where dialogue and exchange are inherent—serves to unify society, encouraging cohesion and better understanding, sparking new ideas and forging stronger connections. A vibrant, evolving culture supports its members and invites others to join.
 
Together, we can achieve small victories that lead to a true cultural revival, establishing a deserved place for culture in every country and society.
 
Once again, Montenegro is represented at the SEE festival with both feature and documentary films. The International selection jury has selected the feature “Forever Hold Your Peace” directed by Ivan Marinović, documentaries „Goodlands“ by Vladimir Perović, and „The Last Yu Film Romantic“ by Radoslav Stanišić, and short feature film “Blue Requiem” by Danilo Marunović.
This year, the festival will also present the award for best documentary film, named after the renowned French documentary filmmaker Frédéric Rossif (1922-1990), who was born in Cetinje.
 
Film is not only a crucial cultural segment but also a developmental resource and a national brand. Our goal is to enhance the visibility and status of Montenegrin cinema, ensuring it has the future it deserves. The Ministry of Culture and Media is dedicated to legislative changes in the cultural field and will work to increase Montenegro's international presence through stable, continuous action. We are committed to supporting young cultural creators, providing them with a stable future, and fostering cultural creativity.
 
With deep appreciation for your achievements since the festival's inception in 2011, and for future accomplishments, I congratulate you on your continued success and wish you a successful festival!

​

The Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro Tamara Vujović and The Minister of Culture of France Rachida Dati at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, accompanied by Jelena Jovanović Nikolić, director of the Directorate for Cultural and Artistic Creation

Rousy Chanev, also known as Russi Chanev, is a celebrated Bulgarian actor and screenwriter, born on September 18, 1945, in Burgas, Bulgaria. With a career spanning more than five decades, Chanev is recognized as one of Bulgaria's most respected and versatile performers in both theater and film.
After completing his studies at the National Academy of Theater and Film Arts in Sofia (1963–1967), under the tutelage of Professor Boyan Danovski, Chanev began his professional stage career at the Drama Theater in Plovdiv in 1967. He later joined the Drama Theater in Sofia, where he remained active until 1990. From 1990 to 1995, he served as the artistic director of the Little City Theater “Off the Canal” in Sofia. Since 1995, he has been a prominent member of the National Theater “Ivan Vazov,” where he has performed in over 80 roles.
Chanev made his film debut in 1966 and has since appeared in more than 30 Bulgarian and international productions. Among his most acclaimed film roles is his performance in Advantage (1977), directed by Georgi Djulgerov, where he played “the Cock,” an eccentric and poetic con artist. The film won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival. Another notable appearance was in The Color of the Chameleon (2012), a dark comedy directed by Emil Hristov, exploring the absurdities of post-communist surveillance culture.
In addition to his work as an actor, Chanev has contributed to several screenplays, including Mera spored mera (1981), Avantazh (1977), and Hushove (2009). His dual talent as a writer and performer has enriched his contributions to Bulgarian cinema and television.
Chanev's artistic achievements have earned him numerous awards, such as Best Leading Actor at theater festivals in Blagoevgrad and Vratza (1998), the “Ackeer” Award for best supporting male role (1994), and Best Role Award at the Eighth National Drama Festival (1989). In 2015, he received the Bulgarian Film Academy’s Best Actor award for his role in Buffer Zone.
In recent years, Chanev has remained active in the film industry, with roles in productions such as Oxymoron of Eternity and South Wind 2: Speed Up (both released in 2021). Beyond the stage and screen, he is known for his quiet personal life. He is married to Nevena Mandadzhieva, with whom he has two children.
Rousy Chanev's legacy as a powerful performer and insightful storyteller continues to influence contemporary Bulgarian performing arts and inspire future generations of artists.

Antoine Vitkine, born in 1977, is a distinguished French journalist, author, and documentary filmmaker, renowned for his incisive explorations into geopolitical power structures, authoritarian regimes, and historical narratives that continue to shape contemporary society.
Vitkine completed his secondary education at Lycée Fénelon Sainte-Marie in Paris, obtaining his baccalauréat in 1995. He pursued higher education at Sciences Po Paris, graduating in 1998, and subsequently earned a Diplôme d'Études Approfondies (DEA) in International Relations. Notably, he did not attend a traditional journalism school, instead cultivating a multidisciplinary academic foundation that would inform his investigative approach.
Since 2002, Vitkine has directed over twenty documentaries, broadcast on prominent French and international networks such as France 2, France 3, Arte, France 5, and Canal Plus. His works are characterized by a commitment to uncovering the complexities of global politics and historical events.
Among his notable documentaries are:

• Kadhafi, notre meilleur ennemi (2011), examining the intricate relationship between Muammar Gaddafi and Western powers.
• La guerre invisible (2012), exploring the realm of cyber warfare, with a focus on the 2007 cyberattacks in Estonia.
• Attentats, au cœur du pouvoir (2016), providing insights into the French government's response to the 2015 terrorist attacks.
• Bachar, moi ou le chaos (2017), delving into the dynamics between Bashar al-Assad and Western nations.
• La vengeance de Poutine (2018), analyzing Vladimir Putin's strategies and motivations.
• Salvator Mundi, la stupéfiante affaire du dernier Vinci (2021), investigating the controversial attribution and sale of the painting Salvator Mundi.
• Triades, la mafia chinoise à la conquête du monde (2023), a three-part series examining the global influence of Chinese organized crime.
• Opération Trump – des espions russes à la conquête de l’Amérique (2024), tracing the historical connections between Donald Trump, the Russian mafia, and the KGB from the 1980s to the present.

In addition to his filmmaking, Vitkine is an accomplished author. His publications include:

• Les Nouveaux Imposteurs (2005), a critical analysis of contemporary intellectual discourse.
• La Tentation de la défaite (2006), exploring themes of defeatism in French society.
• Mein Kampf : histoire d'un livre (2009), a comprehensive study of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, its historical context, and its enduring impact; the book has been translated into nine languages.
• Triades, la mafia chinoise à la conquête du monde (2025), expanding upon his documentary series to provide an in-depth examination of Chinese organized crime's global reach.

Vitkine has also ventured into graphic storytelling, co-authoring:

• MBS, l'enfant terrible d'Arabie Saoudite (2023), a graphic novel portraying the rise of Mohammed bin Salman.
• Salvator Mundi (2025), a graphic adaptation delving into the mysteries surrounding the eponymous painting.

Vitkine was a member of the Cercle de l'Oratoire, a French think tank active from 2001 to 2008, known for its contributions to foreign policy debates and its publication Le Meilleur des mondes.
His work has been lauded for its depth, analytical rigor, and the ability to illuminate the often opaque mechanisms of power and influence in global affairs. Through his documentaries and writings, Antoine Vitkine continues to provide critical insights into the forces shaping our world.
 

Zlatko Ristov was born on March 1, 1978, in Radovish, Republic of North Macedonia. His professional career is marked by a steadfast dedication to public service, a consistent commitment to professional development, and extensive experience in the security sector and local governance.
Mr. Ristov began his career in 2001 as a professional soldier with the rank of sergeant in the elite special forces unit of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia known as the “Wolves.” He served in this capacity until 2008, demonstrating discipline, resilience, and operational excellence.
Following his military service, from 2008 to 2014, he was employed by the Ministry of Interior in Skopje as a police officer in the Rapid Deployment Unit (EBR), where he actively contributed to public safety and law enforcement operations. In 2014, he transitioned into the role of Junior Inspector for Organized and Violent Serious Crimes (ONTDOOM) at the Department for Criminal Affairs within the Radovish Police Sector. He held this position until 2021, when he briefly assumed the role of Junior Inspector for General Crime within the same department.
In May 2021, Mr. Ristov was elected Mayor of the Municipality of Konche, a position he held until 2025. During his tenure, he demonstrated strategic leadership, institutional responsibility, and a strong commitment to serving the needs of the local community.
Mr. Ristov holds a Bachelor's degree in Detective-Criminology, earned from the Faculty of Security at the European University in Skopje (2009–2013). He completed his secondary education at the Vocational and Educational Center “Dimitar Vlahov” in Strumica (1992–1996).
He is a communicative and articulate individual with notable interpersonal and public speaking skills. He is highly motivated, methodical, and reliable, capable of working independently as well as collaboratively within a team. His approach is characterized by integrity, professionalism, and a strong sense of civic duty.
In addition to his native Macedonian, Mr. Ristov speaks English and has an active interest in team sports and physical fitness, which further reflects his dedication to teamwork and discipline.
With a distinguished record in both national security and municipal leadership, Zlatko Ristov continues to be guided by the principles of transparency, responsibility, and service to the public good.

Production
Following the co-production agreement signed between the CNC and the Filmski Centar during the Cannes Festival in May 2024, Balkan Maestro is set to become the Frst documentary produced under this new French-Montenegrin partnership.

Logline
Following the death of his father, Marc Korovitch arrives in Montenegro to conduct the fedgling National Orchestra. As the country prepares to join the European Union, he dreams of adapting Don Giovanni, but between Balkan traditions, logistical problems and the quest for his origins, nothing goes according to plan.  So begins an odyssey as chaotic as it is passionate, to the sound of Mozart and turbo-folk.

Exclusive event “Balkanofilmofilija Paris-Berlin-Washington-Novi Sad 2024” had its second edtion in Novi Sad, the first capital of European culture in the region in of Southeast Europe, establishing its prestigious place on the map of Europe and the world.
This manifestation is organized by the SEE a Paris Association, “Cultural center Miloš Crnjanski”, and the Arena Cineplex cinema Novi Sad, supported by the Ministry of Culture of France and the Provincial Government of Vojvodina.
During the three days of the event, in the period between 11 and 13 October, the audience had the opportunity to watch four films, three Novi Sad premieres, “Everything comes to an end” by Rajko Grlić, „Bogey“ by Goran Radovanović, „Granpa Guru“ by Silvio Mirošničenko, and „Alone in front of myself“ by Dragan Elčić, which contributed to the festive atmosphere of the manifestation with the presence of the authors and actors of the films.
The program of the event included a lecture by Prof. dr Ljubomir Kekenovski: “The economy of the Balkans between the old and the new order - challenges and opportunities” at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, promotion of the book by author Dejan Petrović “Cruelty of life requires a gentle view” in The End cafe, as well as a photo exhibition about the filmmaking of Velimir Bata Živojinović’s - “Bata in 90 Pictures” in the lobby of the Arena Cineplex cinema.
The manifestation was closed with a award ceremony for the winning authors at SEE Paris - Berlin - Washington - Novi Sad, among whom were Dragan Bjelogrlić for the film “Guardians of the formula”, Nina Ognjanović for the film “This is where the road will pass”, Danica Ćurčić for the film “Sirin” , Nataša Nelević, for the documentary film “Saint Grigor” (Šagargur) and many others.
The festival will be officially opened by Nenad Šaponja, the director of KCV “Miloš Crnjanski” and Jordan Plevneš, the president and founder of the festival.