Great success at the Zlatibor Cultural Centre in Serbia for the 15th International Sports Film Festival (part of the “World FICTS Challenge”) which once again brought together numerous sports legends and filmmakers on Zlatibor.

Authors from around the world took part in this year’s competition, with 36 films dedicated to sport and sporting achievements competing for festival awards. Under the motto “A Tradition Celebrating the Perseverance of Champions”, the Festival once again welcomed prominent sports figures such as Dejan Rambo Petković, Dane Korica, Slavka Kanjevac and Goran Maksimović, while also promoting sport and its role in bringing people together through a rich accompanying programme.

At the closing Ceremony, awards and recognitions were presented in accordance with the decisions of the professional Jury, which this year consisted of film director Darko Bajić, journalist Aleksandar Avramović and dramaturge Metka Dedaković. The winners of the Festival in Zlatibor will compete in the Final SPORT MOVIES & TV 2026 held in Milan from October 30 to November 2.

 

FICTS General Secretary Enzo Cappiello (in the picture below) attended the Festival and awarded with the “Diamond of Honneur” the Festival Organizing Committee, represented by Arsen Duric (President). The “Medallion of Honneur” was awarded to Mihalo Todorovic Ceni (Festival Founder) and Jovan Markovic (President of the Tourism Organization in Zlatibor). Festival Director Olivera Aleksic Nikitovic

Special Festival recognitions for contribution to film art and sport were awarded to “Peaks of Silence” (Serbia), by Žikica Jovanović, “Your Mountain of Support” (Türkiye), by Gökçe Kan Demirkan, and “Wedding of the Century” (Serbia), by Dragan R. Filipović.

  • The award for Best Film Promoting High Moral Values in Sport went to “Mostar Swallow” (Bosnia and Herzegovina), by Muhamed Bikić.
  • The award for Best Film About a Sports Personality went to “Pelé, Džaja, Slavka” (Serbia), by Dragana Kanjevac.
  • The award for Best Cinematography, Design and Innovation in Film was presented to “There Is Nothing More Beautiful in the World” (Serbia), by Filip Čolović.
  • The award for Best Short Fiction Film went to “The Fight” (UK), by Anthony Petrou.
  • The award for Best Short Documentary Film was presented to “Tem” (Spain), by Diego Poncelet.
  • The award for Best Medium-Length Documentary Film went to “More Than a Game, More Than Life” (Montenegro), by Milutin Grgur.
  • The award for Best Feature-Length Documentary Film went to “March of the Amazons” (Bulgaria), by Borislav Kolev.
  • The “Dinko Tucaković” Award for Best Documentary Film Direction was presented to “Vujke, the One and Only” (Serbia), by Grada Branković.
  • The Grand Prix of the 15th Zlatibor Sports Film Festival was awarded to “Shadows of Everest” (Serbia), by Aleksandar Milosavljević.

 

  • The “Olympic Legacy – Next Generation Award” was awarded to “The Sixth Circle – Generation 2026,” which symbolizes the invisible link that connects the five Olympic rings with the world of business and the future. The film will be screened in Serbian schools as a tool of education and inspiration, to introduce young people to the values ​​of sport, participation, and personal growth.

The Festival Organizing Committee presented two special recognitions: one to the TV series “All the Lives of Siniša Mihajlović”, by Goran Anđelković, and another to the film “One of Her Own in the Ring” (Croatia), directed by Aleksandra Marković and Mislav Brcko.

The organisers of the International Sports Film Festival on Zlatibor are the Municipality of Čajetina and the Tourist Organization of Zlatibor. The Festival is part of an international network of sports film festivals headquartered in Milan and is one of the most significant European festivals dedicated to sports film.

At the 15th Sports Film Festival, Lifetime Achievement Awards were also presented to renowned Serbian athletes and sports personalities: track and field athlete Dane Korica, sport shooter Goran Maksimovic, footballer Slavka Kanjevac, table tennis player Branka Batinic, and footballer Dejan “Rambo” Petkovic (in the picture).

In a deeply emotional address, Petkovic recalled some of the most significant moments of his remarkable career, which began in his hometown of Majdanpek and ultimately led him to become one of the most celebrated names in Brazilian football. The first festival evening concluded with screenings of the films “Pele, Dzaja, Slavka” and “O Gringo”, presented in honour of award recipients Slavka Kanjevac and Dejan “Rambo” Petkovic.

Once again this year, the Festival met the expectations of filmmakers, audiences and numerous sports legends, who actively participated in the 15th International Sports Film Festival and had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty and tourist attractions of Zlatibor.