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By:
Besarte Elshani
- August 13, 2026 09:00
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A total of 15 films were included in the national program of this edition, among which were “The Gelina of Ribnovo” by Valon Ballabani, “Antimuseum” by Renis Hyka, “Keep Going” by Valmira Hyseni, “All Good” by Basha Troni and “angel777” by Brilant Pireva. According to the official program of the festival, four of these films were given world premieres.
From the centuries-old rituals of a Muslim community in Bulgaria, to dreams shattered by a regime, migration, a passion for football and a friendship turned into a film – the second night of the national competition at the documentary and short film festival “DokuFest” brought to the screen five more local stories with different cinematic languages and sensibilities.
A total of 15 films are included in the national program of this edition, while “The Gelina of Ribnovo” by Valon Ballabani, “Antimuseum” by Renis Hyka, “Keep Going” by Valmira Hyseni, “All Good” by Basha Troni and “angel777” by Brilant Pireva are part of this competition. According to the official program of the festival, “The Gelina of Ribnovo”, “All Good”, “angel777” and “Keep Going” are screened as world premieres, while “Antimuseum” is part of the national selection.
“The Gelina of Ribnovo” with the wedding ritual
The evening opened with “The Gelina of Ribnovo”, a documentary by Valon Ballabani, which takes the viewer to the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria, to the village of Ribnovo, where a centuries-old marriage ritual of the Pomak community continues to be preserved. The film, which lasts 10 minutes and 55 seconds, is a British-Bulgarian production and was shown as a world premiere at “DokuFest”.
At its center is the "gelina" (bride) and the ritual of her preparation for marriage. Ballabani has indicated that the film focuses precisely on this figure and on a tradition that the community has preserved despite periods of oppression.
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"The film is called 'The Gelina of Ribnovo', and at its center is the gelina, the bride, and the ritual. This ritual is practiced by a Slavic Muslim community. They have gone through periods of state oppression, but they have still kept this tradition alive," said Ballabani.
The film shows that Ribnovo also attracts visitors who come to see these wedding rites up close. Traditional clothing, music and instruments of the area create a special atmosphere, while the most characteristic moment is that of the bride's transformation.
She is painted all over her face with a white layer, similar to a mask, on which ornaments are placed that are difficult to remove. Then, the husband must remove them very carefully. The ritual, in a symbolic interpretation, is also related to the care that should accompany marriage and the relationship between spouses.
"Antimuseum" animates political horror
From a ritual inherited across generations, the narrative has moved on to the memory and pain of a political past in Reni Hyka's "Antimuseum".
The animated film begins with a story that at first glance seems like an ordinary childhood memory. The narrator tells how, as a child, he was forced to work for his family in the fields. On hot summer days, after-work fun was found in bike rides. With a dose of humor, the story continues with the meeting with Miranda, love, marriage and children.
But the story told at the beginning is not the story that happened.
In reality, none of these dreams came true. He did not become a biology teacher, as he had dreamed. His father and close friend, Arben, were executed by the regime. On the day he was supposed to meet Miranda, he was sentenced to seven years in prison after being spied on by his teacher, Agim. And on the day he was expected to be released, when his mother came out to meet him, another ten years were added to his sentence.
Miranda never became his wife.
Thus, "Antimuseum" becomes a story about shattered dreams, about lives that were not lived, and about the memories that remain as evidence of what could have been.
Director Renis Hyka thanked "DokuFest" for the opportunity for the film to meet the public in Prizren.
"I want to thank 'DokuFest' for giving us the opportunity to screen the film in front of the public in Prizren," said Hyka. He added that the film was made with the aim of creating emotion in the viewer.
"As is known, we make films to give emotions to the audience, because the film is made for the audience. I hope that the film achieves its goal, that is, to give emotions," he explained.
"Keep Going" narrates the passion for football
Another tone was brought by Valmira Hyseni's "Keep Going", an 11-minute film made in Kosovo and part of the national competition as a world premiere.
The film centers on two girls who are passionate about football, but who do not have the same interest in other school subjects. On the other side is Sherifi, played by actor Luan Jaha, a teacher who, after 30 years of work, is suspended after slapping a student.
Now stuck at home, he tries to rebuild himself through work and teaching his daughter. But he does not support her dream of becoming a footballer. Hana's mother, played by Adriana Matoshi, albeit with little courage, stands by her daughter and finds a way for her to be part of an important match.
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Valmira Hyseni has indicated that this film marks another personal step in her cinematic journey.
"After a long time of producing films as a producer, I now come as a director. I hope you like it," said Hyseni.
The film stars Adriana Matoshi and Luan Jaha. For Matoshi, returning to a film made several years ago was also a personal surprise.
"Valmira said: 'This film belongs to the actors', so that we can blame them even if it didn't turn out well. It's a film that was made four years ago. I had forgotten that I played in this film, only when I saw the title and my name. I'm watching it for the first time, I hope you like it. We are satisfied, it's a pleasure to work with Valmira, but with Luani the most," said Matoshi.
"All Good" exposes the difficulties of migration
In "All Good", directed by Basha Troni, the story moves to Finland and deals with the difficult life of an Albanian immigrant.
One of the protagonists, Muhameti, used to be an actor, but he can't stand the cinema. He experiences a panic attack and ends up in the hospital. There he learns that a dentist friend of his has recommended sugar cubes in the shape of steps, which he can use when he panics.
The story begins with a heavy feeling, but gradually takes a comic turn.
At the film's presentation, lead actor Kastriot Bajgora recalled the moment he first read the script.
"When I first received the script, I realized that it was not only an opportunity to act in a very good film, but also to have fun. Basha is not here today, but we had a lot of fun. Enjoy it too," he said.
According to the “DokuFest” program, “All Good”, with the original title “Kaikki hyvin” in Finnish, lasts 14 minutes and is a production of Basha Troni in Finland. The film is a world premiere at this year’s edition.
"angel777" ruins the life of an individual in economic hardship
The evening closed with "angel777", Brilant Pireva's 26-minute film, which also premiered at "DokuFest".
The film follows Genc, an anonymous researcher who has only received 300 euros for his research and project work over the past five years. He lives in difficult conditions with Bora, and his nickname is “angel777”.
The couple's life unfolds between lack of money, Genc's constant search, and dreams that always seem to remain a little further away. But when Bora's patience runs out and she leaves, Genc's fate changes unexpectedly: that's when he wins six million euros.
Genci spends his time daydreaming and searching for Bora. When he returns home, however, he finds his laptop in the bathtub full of water, while 200 euros have been left on the table as compensation for the damage.
For Tristan Halilaj, actor and producer of the film, "angel777" is also a testament to a long friendship that has found expression on screen.
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"The film is the fruit of a long-standing friendship between me, Blerta, Brilant and Joni. It is a great pleasure to see it both today and in the future. Surely in the future we will see how precious this connection is and sometimes how it can take other forms, as we are lucky enough to see this film," he said.
The national competition continues to prove that short films can be small in duration, but vast in the worlds they can open up to the public. And “DokuFest” is holding its 25th edition from August 7 to 15 in Prizren.
