The Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival held its awards ceremony on Saturday, recognizing numerous films across multiple categories. James Longley’s “Mohabat,” produced by Mohammad Sharif Hotak, Longley, and Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, claimed the top prize in the Opus Bonum section. The film chronicles the life of a 12-year-old boy named Mohabat following his father’s death in a drone strike, documenting his placement in a city orphanage and his relationships with his brothers and community.
The jury commended “Mohabat” for its observational approach and nuanced storytelling, describing it as “meticulously researched and exquisitely crafted.” They highlighted how the film creates “a complex and sympathetic portrait of an individual, a family and a community” while avoiding conventional narrative patterns. Additional recognition in the Opus Bonum category went to Elvis A-Liang Lu’s “Songs From Within” for special mention and editing achievement, while Nona Giunashvili’s “Sacred Songs” received recognition as the best Central and Eastern European documentary.
In the Testimonies section, Brydie O’Connor’s “Barbara Forever” earned the main award. The film examines the life and legacy of late artist and activist Barbara Hammer, incorporating experimental footage spanning five decades. The jury praised its handling of sensitive subjects including lesbian emancipation, aging, and terminal illness. Philipp Fröhlich won the First Lights main award for “After the Rehearsal,” while Dominika Kováčová triumphed with “Elusiveness of Today.”
The festival also presented the Contribution to World Cinema Award to Vietnamese-American filmmaker Trinh T. Minh-ha. During remarks to press, Minh-ha discussed her artistic philosophy and her upcoming film “The Undying Desert,” her first project set in the United States. She emphasized the multisensory nature of cinema and encouraged audiences to approach films with openness rather than preconceived notions about documentary form and messaging.
Other notable winners included Martin Páv in the Czech Joy category for “Glowing” and Klára Trsková and Anežka Horová in Exprmntl.cz for “On the Peaks of All the Beech Mountains.”
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