Bosnian Actor Emir Hadžihafizbegović Wins Best Actor at 35th Cottbus Film Festival for 'Lijepa večer, lijep dan'

Bosnian actor Emir Hadžihafizbegović secured the prestigious Best Actor Award, the highest distinction for a male performance, at the 35th Cottbus Film Festival, which took place in Germany from November 4 to 9, 2025. This top honor was bestowed upon him for his central performance in the Croatian feature film, "Lijepa večer, lijep dan" (Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day). Directed by Ivona Juka, the film provided the stage for Hadžihafizbegović's celebrated role. As is standard for the forum's highest acting recognition, the award included a monetary prize of 5,000 euros.

The Cottbus Festival, widely recognized as a premier showcase for Eastern European cinema, featured a robust selection this year, presenting 130 films sourced from 40 countries across its various sections. The international jury reserved high praise for Hadžihafizbegović's work, describing his acting as "bold in its uncertainty, powerful in its restraint, and unforgettable in its authenticity." This recent accolade marks the third time the actor has been honored at the German film event. His previous successes in Cottbus include awards for his roles in the Croatian movie "Takva su pravila" (The Rules of the Game), directed by Ognjen Sviličić, and the Slovenian picture "Čefurji raus!" (Čefurji Out!), helmed by Goran Vojnović, underscoring his sustained international recognition.

The triumph extended beyond the lead performance, as the film itself, "Lijepa večer, lijep dan," also claimed the festival's Grand Prix, which carries a significant prize of 15,000 euros. Furthermore, the movie resonated strongly with attendees, earning the coveted Audience Award. The jury commended the production for its courageous approach to addressing untold narratives and its honest contemplation of historical wounds—a critical theme for regional cinematography. The 2024 production, which also features performances by Elmir Krivalić, Dado Ćosić, Slaven Došlo, and Đorđe Galić, was selected as Croatia’s official submission for the Academy Awards. The film is a complex international co-production involving Croatia, Poland, Canada, Cyprus, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The narrative of the film delves into a poignant historical episode, charting the story of four filmmaker friends in 1950s Yugoslavia who faced persecution by the authorities due to their sexual orientation. Such deeply resonant and socially significant narratives, which consistently garner recognition from international juries, reinforce the standing of Croatian cinema on the global stage. This success demonstrates the region's capacity for complex, candid, and emotionally compelling storytelling that finds resonance across borders.

Established in 1991, the Cottbus Film Festival traditionally focuses on feature films originating from the successor states of former socialist Europe, alongside neighboring nations like Finland, Greece, and Turkey. The 35th edition included the main competition for feature films, where ten pictures vied for the "Lubina" statuettes, as well as competitions dedicated to short films and U18 youth cinema. The total value of all prizes distributed throughout the festival exceeded 60,000 euros. Director Ivona Juka, addressing the audience via video, expressed gratitude to the jury and her colleagues, noting that the experience was "a beautiful experience." The festival utilizes venues such as Weltspiegel and Glad-House/Obenkino and actively promotes market access for films through its co-production platform, connecting cottbus.