News

FIRST AWARD FOR “BIRTHING”!

FIRST AWARD FOR “BIRTHING”!

The film “Birthing”, directed by Milena Vitman, has received its first award, winning a Special Mention in the National Competition at the Dzirni Festival.

The award was received by producer Goce Kralevski, who attended the festival. Following the screening, Director of Photography Marina Koloska and producer Goce Kralevski were present for the Q&A session.

A film that stayed with us for the honesty of it’s perspective. It brings us into the experience of birth without filters, conventions, or distance, finding a cinematic language that feels immediate and deeply personal. There is something fearless in the way it looks at the body, the experience, and everything that comes with it.
Our Special Mention in the national competition goes to BIRTHING directed by Milena Vitman – Jury of Dzirni

Premiere of “Birthing”

 ️The Macedonian short film “Birthing” premiered at the prestigious Manaki Brothers International Cinematographers’ Film Festival.

Selected for the “Small Camera 300” competition from a strong lineup of films, it was represented by cinematographer Marina Koloska, while director Milena Vitman, production designer Aleksandra Petkova, and producer Goce Kralevski also attended the premiere.

 

13 YEARS OF MOVIES

Best Actress Award for “A Joke” at Galichnik Film Festival!

 

Best Actress Award for “A Joke” at Galichnik Film Festival!

We are proud to announce that “A Joke” has received the Best Actress Award at the Galichnik Film Festival.

In their award citation, the jury stated:

Jana Nikodinovska for the role of Nadja in the film A Joke, for an exceptionally subtle and believable portrayal of a young generation and its internal conflicts, the struggle between family circumstances, social pressures and personal desires, which through emotional honesty and authentic presence creates a character in which many young people today would recognize themselves.

Another important recognition for the film and its cast, adding to its successful festival journey and growing list of awards.

 

 

„A Joke“ Wins Best Balkan Short Film at Adriatic Film Festival

We are proud to announce that A Joke has won the Best Balkan Short Film Award at the Adriatic Film Festival in Italy.

This recognition marks another important milestone in the film’s international journey, which has now included more than 40 festival selections around the world, as well as numerous awards and audience recognitions.

We would like to thank the festival, the jury, and everyone who has supported the film throughout its journey.

As A Joke continues to travel across festivals, cinemas, and streaming platforms, we are grateful to see its story connecting with audiences across different countries and cultures.

The journey continues.

 

DNF FILMS | Stories in Motion

️ The past month has been a strong reminder that meaningful stories continue to find new audiences long after their first release.
At DNF Films, we are proud to celebrate several important milestones. Our short film A Joke reached its 40th festival screening and became one of the standout titles on the SHELFTV platform.Three years after its premiere, Thing Unsaid returned to the big screen as part of the Macedonian Film Mondays program, demonstrating the lasting relevance of stories that resonate with audiences.  We were also delighted to see Fighting for Death screened in cinemas again after many years, with audience interest proving that the film continues to hold a special place in Macedonian cinema.
Looking ahead, we are especially excited that STRIGA, our international co-production with Croatia’s WOODZ, has received development support from the Macedonian Film Agency . This achievement reflects DNF Films’ continued growth and our dedication to creating stories with both local roots and international potential.
️ We are grateful to our partners, collaborators, institutions, festivals, exhibitors, and audiences for their continued support. As we build on these achievements, we remain focused on developing and producing films that connect, challenge, and endure.

“A Joke” becomes a leading title on the streaming platform Shelf TV after more than 40 festival selections!

The short film “A Joke” continues its exceptionally successful festival journey, with more than 40 official selections worldwide. From regional and national competitions to major international festivals, the film has consistently found new audiences and recognition across different cultural contexts.

Throughout its festival career, “A Joke” has been screened at numerous prestigious events, where it has received awards and distinctions from both juries and audiences, establishing itself as one of the notable Macedonian short films on the international scene.

Alongside its festival run, the film is now entering a new digital chapter. “A Joke” is available on the streaming platform Shelf TV, where it is presented as an award-winning short film and is currently featured as one of the platform’s main titles.

More at the following link:https://shelftv.com/news/38/shelf-tv-announces-award-winning-short-a-joke-arriving-sunday-may-31st

DNF Films in Trieste – When East Meets West

From 18 to 20 January, in Trieste, Italy, within the framework of Inspiration Lab – When East Meets West, producer Goce Kralevski participated in the Amazing Intelligence – AI & Audience Design workshop, developed in collaboration with ACE Producers. The workshop focused on contemporary approaches to the use of artificial intelligence, the development of audience design strategies, and practical tools for better development, positioning, and application of film and audiovisual projects to international funds and markets, with the support of the Macedonian Film Agency.

 

Behind the scene – A Joke

On August 26 last year, we had the premiere of “A Joke” at the prestigious Odense Film Festival in Denmark.
Let’s take a look back at what it looked like behind the camera 👀🎬 here is the link

And right on time, the news arrived about yet another festival – the 30th official selection for “A Joke”.

 

 

🎬 A JOKE – Double Win on the Shores of Lake Ohrid

The festival journey of A Joke continues to shine! After multiple international recognitions, the film has now received two more prestigious Best Film awards – this time in Macedonia, on the stunning shores of Lake Ohrid.

🏆 Beach Film Festival – Best Film
🏆 DRIM SHORT Film Festival – Best Film in the National Competition

These latest honors are a beautiful reminder of the film’s connection with audiences at home, as well as abroad. Both festivals celebrate cinema in one of the most breathtaking and culturally rich regions in the world, making these wins even more special.
A heartfelt thank you to both festivals, the juries, and everyone who shared this moment with us. Lake Ohrid will forever remain a milestone in the journey of A Joke. 🌊🎥

“A Joke” Opens the 18th “Coming of Age” Edition of the Mediterranean Film Festival in Split 🇭🇷

Out of 104 selected films from 37 countries, this short film was chosen for the festival’s opening night as the strongest reflection of this year’s theme: coming of age, personal growth, love, friendship, and the questions that arise when stepping into the world of adulthood.

The audience in Split responded with genuine applause as the crew stepped on stage. After the screening, there were comments that the characters and the world the film presents left an impression as if they were part of a feature-length production—so vivid and present that they stayed with the viewers even after the final frame.

“A Joke” is one of the rare short films in the history of the festival to be invited to a Q&A session after the screening—a gesture that speaks to the deep resonance it had with the audience.

In attendance at the opening were director Trifun Sitnikovski and producers Goce Kralevski and Adrijana Prugovečki.
The film was received with warmth and attention, just as every small, sincere story hopes to be when it finds its place on the big screen.