Kosara Mitic’s Film “17” Wins Best Debut Award at Jerusalem Film Festival
The film “17”, directed by Kosara Mitić, won the GWFF Award for Best International Debut Film at the 43rd Jerusalem Film Festival. The film is a co-production between North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia.
The story follows seventeen-year-old Sara, who witnesses the sexual assault of her best friend Lina during a school trip. In the aftermath, the two girls come together to confront the consequences of the violence and the silence surrounding it, forming an unbreakable bond.
Jury members described the film as a direct and uncompromising exploration of a difficult subject. They praised the skillful cinematography, the director’s vision, and the outstanding performances. In their official statement, the jurors emphasized that the film addresses an issue of violence that has long been overlooked and that society must confront directly.
At the 43rd Jerusalem Film Festival, organizers distributed prizes worth approximately $300,000 (about 1 million shekels) across Israeli and international competitions, as well as short and experimental film categories. The film “17” has also been selected for other prestigious festivals, including the Berlin International Film Festival.
