Welcome to By The River Film Festival
A celebration of cinema, creativity, and community – by the river.
Nestled along the banks of Vardar River, By The River Film Festival brings together filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences for a refreshing and intimate cinematic experience. We showcase bold voices, independent visions, and powerful stories that flow with the same energy as the river that inspires us.
By the river film festival 2025 winners
Ocarina - Alban Zogjani (Albania, Germany, Kosovo)
Best Feature Film
Cleaning & Cleansing - Thomas Fürhapter (Austria)
Best Documentary Film
Cantata For 108 Polish Martyrs Of World War Ii - Marek Wojtasik (Poland)
Best Feature Animation Film
Best Feature Animation Film
Smell of Burnt Milk - Justine Bauer (Germany)
Best Independent Film
Rosinante - Baran Gunduzalp (Turkey)
Best Debut Feature Film
Sweatshop Girl - Selma Cervantes (Mexico)
Best Short Film
Sabrina - MJ Sousa (Portugal)
Best Short Documentary
No Horses on Mars - Bea de Visser (Netherlands)
Best Short Experimental Film
Ljudski - Kandidat - Rastko Šejić (Serbia)
Best Short Animation Film
A Life of Wrestling - Gabriel Murisier (Switzerland)
Best Independent Short Film
Harvest - Donata Mustać (Croatia)
Best Debut Short Film
A Pack of Five - John Parr (United Kingdom)
Best Director Short Film
My Love Flows Like a Song - Xiaotian Fan (China)
Best CinematographyBest Screenplay
The End Of The River - Vasil Stepanov Barkov (Bulgaria)
Best Director Feature Film
A Tin Of White - Jenny Ryan (United Kingdom)
Best Actress
Together, Alone - Mert Dogan (turkey)
Best Director Feature Film
The Prodigal - Vic Quinton and Emma Malouff (usa)
Best Feature Script
A Super Friendly Guy - Mićo Ivanović (germany)
Best Short Script
The Lethal Force: The Dream II - Emmanouil Charalampos Tselidis (greece)
Special Mention: Screenplay
During The Rain - Aleksandar Branko Lahtov (macedonia)
Special Mention: Short Script
Seeking The Lost Ones - Michael Teutsch (germany)
Special Mention: Director Feature Film
End of Summer - Matthew Murdoch (United Kingdom)
Special Mention: Cinematography
Bad Love Strikes - Kevin Schewe (united states)
Special Mention: Feature Script
Golden Head - Nick Chechera (Russian Federation)
Special Mention: Actor
Nado - Daniele Farina (italy)
Special Mention: Debut Feature Film
Together, Alone - Ecem Uzun (turkey)
Special Mention: Actress
Nado - Daniele Farina (italy)
Special Mention: Debut Feature Film
Maga 1909 - Branka Pavlović (serbia)
Special Mention: Independent Film
Level 664 - To Get Rid Of Conscience - Gábor Klacsán (hungary)
Special Mention: Director Short Film
Distress Call - Michele D'Anca (Italy)
Special Mention: Debut Short Film
Pig - Jorn Leeuwerink (Netherlands)
Special Mention: Director Short Film
Blueberry Spirits - Astra Zoldnere (Latvia)
Special Mention: Short Documentary
One Woman Film - Anita Morina (Croatia, Kosovo)
Special Mention: Short Experimental Film
You'll Make It Home - Sheryl Jenkins (United Kingdom)
Special Mention: Independent Short Film
Enescu, Skinned Alive - Toma Enache (Romania)
Special Mention: Feature Film
In Ruins - Bence Sípos (Hungary)
Special Mention: Documentary Film
Greek Apricots - Jan Krevatin (Croatia, Slovenia)
Special Mention: Short Film
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About the Festival
Nestled in the heart of Veles, our festival fuses cinematic art with local tradition. We celebrate diverse voices—from avant-garde and experimental storytellers to narrative filmmakers and documentarians. Through screenings, panel discussions, workshops, and networking, we aim to nurture a community of creative collaboration and cultural exchange
By The River 2024 winners
Best Feature Film: for “PAULINA P’S DIARY” Neven Hitrec Best Short Film: for “BUG” Filip MomirowskiBest Documentary Film: for “STILL WATERS” Jil Lange Best Director: for “TRAMWAY” Bartosz Reetz Special Mention: for “THE PACK” Marko Jukic
Submit your film
Rules & Terms
1. Eligibility Criteria:
a. Film Completion Date: Films submitted to the By The River Film Festival must have been completed after January 1st of 2020. Films completed before this date will not be considered for selection.
b. Nationality of Filmmakers: Submissions are open to filmmakers of all nationalities. There are no restrictions based on the country of origin of the filmmaker.
c. Language and Subtitles: Films must be submitted in their original language. If the original language of the film is not English, it must be subtitled in English.
2. Submission Categories:
a. Feature Film: This category includes narrative films with a runtime of 60 minutes or more. Feature films can encompass a variety of genres, including drama, comedy, thriller, and more.
b. Documentary Film: Non-fiction films that explore real-life subjects, events, or issues fall under this category. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including social issues, history, nature, culture, and more.
c. Short Film: Short films with a runtime of less than 30 minutes are eligible for submission in this category. Short films may include narratives, documentaries, animations, experimental films, and more.
3. Submission Process:
a. Official Submission Channels: All film submissions must be made through the FilmFreeway profile of By The River Film Festival
b. Individual Submission Requirement: Each film submission must be made separately. Filmmakers may submit multiple films to the festival, but each film requires its own submission.
d. Submission Deadline: The deadline for film submissions will be announced on the festival website., social medial profiles and FilmFreeway profile. Late submissions will not be accepted.
4. Selection Process:
a. Selection Committee: A selection committee, appointed by the festival organizers, will review all submitted films and select films for inclusion in the festival program.
b. Notification of Selection: Filmmakers whose films are selected for inclusion in the festival program will be notified via email by the festival organizers.
c. Final Decision: The decision of the selection committee is final and cannot be appealed.
d. Screening Order: The festival reserves the right to determine the order and scheduling of selected films in the festival program.
5. Screening Guidelines:
a. Screening Venues: Screenings will take place at venues designated by the festival organizers in Veles, North Macedonia.
b. Program Schedule: The festival will schedule screenings for selected films and publish the program schedule on its official website.
c. Filmmaker Passes: Filmmakers whose films are selected for screening will receive complimentary passes to the festival.
d. Q&A Sessions: Q&A sessions with filmmakers may be organized after screenings, subject to availability and scheduling.
6. Rights and Permissions: a. Screening Rights: By submitting a film to By The River Film Festival, filmmakers grant the festival organizers the right to screen the film during the festival. b. Filmmaker Rights: Filmmakers retain all rights to their films. The festival will not claim ownership of submitted films. c. Promotional Use: The festival reserves the right to use excerpts from selected films for promotional purposes with proper accreditation.
6. Rights and Permissions: a. Screening Rights: By submitting a film to By The River Film Festival, filmmakers grant the festival organizers the right to screen the film during the festival. b. Filmmaker Rights: Filmmakers retain all rights to their films. The festival will not claim ownership of submitted films. c. Promotional Use: The festival reserves the right to use excerpts from selected films for promotional purposes with proper accreditation.
Programming & Categories
Eligible formats:
Feature Films (60 min +)
Documentaries (60 min +)
Short Films (< 30 min) – including narrative, documentary, experimental, animation
Themes we celebrate:
Bold, personal storytelling.
Innovative visual and narrative techniques.
Diverse perspectives and regional talent
Important criteria:
Films completed after January 1, 2020
Non-English films must include English subtitles