Edita Šišić and Alma Alič in Tetovo. Photo by Nanna Frank Møller

THE SKY ABOVE ZENICA receives The Transeuropa Balkans and Caucasus Observatory Award at the 36th Trieste Film Festival 2025

Zlatko and I are honored that the Transeuropa Balkans and Caucasus Observatory Award is given to “THE SKY ABOVE ZENICA” for the best documentary in competition with the following motivation: “Because it addresses one of the most pressing issues facing all of us and at the same time denounces the intolerable inequalities that accompany it; because it is a tribute to the courage and determination of those who fight against the Goliaths of our time; because it tells about an unusual generation of activists from whom you do not expect protagonism; because in addition to its artistic qualities, this documentary has a strong political value by calling us all to contribute to the struggle for climate justice despite the immense challenge we face.”

Many forgotten communities suffer under the rule of ever growing profit by large corporations. With this award, we hope that our film will shine a light on the need for balance, and inspire international institutions as well as corporations to get involved in the changing for a less polluted and more fair world.

Thank you in particular Zlatan Alibegović, Igda and Samir Lemeš, Edita and Nedžad Šišič, Alma and Sakib Alič, Ajka and Mirsad Selimović, Izeta and Fadil Bajramović.

Thank you, Trieste Film Festival!

THE SKY ABOVE ZENICA wins the Testimonies Award at 28th Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival 2024

We are happy and proud to receive the Testimonies Award at the 28th Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival.

Many forgotten communities suffer under the rule of ever growing profit by large corporations. With this award, we hope that our film will shine a light on the need for balance, and inspire international institutions as well as corporations to get involved in the changing for a less polluted and more fair world.

Thank you Ji.hlava IDF!

Thank you in particular Zlatan Alibegović, Igda and Samir Lemeš, Edita and Nedžad Šišič, Alma and Sakib Alič, Ajka and Mirsad Selimović, Izeta and Fadil Bajramović.

The jury said:

Set in a city under toxic seige, this environmental and political thriller follows citizens fighting the tentacles of international corporate corruption to stop the staggering impact of unregulated industrial air pollution. Devastating, yet tender, this film was shot in Bosnia Herzegovina over seven years and is the result of deep community connection and trust. We, the jury, find it particularly poignant to give this prize here in Jihlava, where, citizens like the protagonists of this film, have similarly and successfully battled against polluting smokestacks only 4 km from this stage. For its deep access, and longitudinal lens on the human costs of corporate greed and the searing power of a community taking a stand, we award the best film on Politics, Knowledge and Nature in the Testimonies category, to The Sky Above Zenica by Nanna Frank Møller and Zlatko Pranjić.

Thank you to the jury!

The jury was: Katerina Cizek (CZ), Cheryl Maloney (USA) and Siri Rustad (NO).

THE SKY ABOVE ZENICA wins the Checkpoint Jury Award at The 25th Bergen International Film Festival and two Special Mentions at Inconvenient Films IHRFF 2024

We are very happy that THE SKY ABOVE ZENICA receives the Checkpoint Jury Award at 25th Bergen International Film Festival. The award of 25.000 NOK is donated to EKO FORUM in support of their tireless efforts to protect the natural environment in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

We are also thrilled that THE SKY ABOVE ZENICA receives two Special Mentions at Inconvenient Films IHRFF 2024, both in the Impact Competition and the Green Competition.

Zlatko and I would like to thank the juries!

The BIFF 2024 jury said:

“The film receiving our award this year portrays a community's courageous battle against multinational corporations for their very survival. These corporations disregard environmental regulations, while politicians’ interests in power and profit conflict with their duty to protect the well-being of their citizens. This fight is for the most precious things we have — our lives and health. It is a fight against environmental degradation, indifference, and the dangerous prioritization of profit over human life.

This year, the Checkpoint Jury Award goes to the film The Sky Above Zenica.”

The jury was: Elina Troscenko (Rafto Prize Comitee), Linda Šilingerová (One World Prague), Dora Poni (social worker and activist).

The Inconvenient Films IHRFF 2024 Impact Competition jury said:

“For the Special Mention, the jury selected The Sky Above Zenica. The movie tells a story of incredible neglience and corruption, enabling money to be made at the expense of human lives. It also shows how resilience can lead to change, even if it takes a decade. The movie was chosen for excellence in cinematography, storytelling and depth.”

The jury was: Šarūnas Černiauskas (LTU), investigative journalist in Lithuania, currently heading SIENA independent investigative journalism collective and part of Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.

Tatsiana Hatsura-Yavorskaya (BY), Belarusian human rights activist (former political prisoner). Director of the International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival WATCH DOCS Belarus. Founder of the Belarusian-Ukrainian Documentary Film Festival–1084. On the border.

Heidi Gronauer (IT), director of ZeLIG school for documentary, television and new media, Bolzano since 1990. Since 2004, Head of Project of ESoDoc – European Social Documentary. Co-founder of the Italian documentary association doc-it. Member of EFA (European Film Academy).

The Inconvenient Films IHRFF 2024 Green Competition jury said:

“The one thing that is needed to survive - the air - is also the thing that is killing the residents of Zenica. The place that provides people jobs is the same place that gives their families all sorts of illnesses. How to survive in such a complex state? The story is told through striking images of the toxic city and the powerful and powerless faces. Filmmakers have earned access to and the trust of the community and we´re given a possibility to observe and try to understand the difficult details of its everyday life. The journey and struggle of the characters in this film ground the path for the future. The vision and intention of both the filmmakers and the protagonists help us navigate our way out of toxicity. The Special Mention goes to The Sky Above Zenica.”

The jury was: Dovilė Grigaliūnaitė (LTU), curator of media works, film journalist and long-time festival programmer, currently the head of programme and acquisitions at Vilnius International Film Festival KINO PAVASARIS.

Berta Tilmantaitė (LTU), photographer, multimedia journalist, Berta is also the founder of NARA collective, an award-winning multimedia agency.

Gitte Hansen (DK), international film consultant with focus on documentary project development, production, financing and distribution. Mentor for the development and mentorship program Close-Up and the Finnish Talent Development Lab Kähittämö and leading tutor of the annual North Pitch – Below Zero. Tutor and moderator at various programs among others IDFA Project Space, Ex Oriente, Nordisk Panorama and Documentary Campus.

THE SKY ABOVE ZENICA wins the Special Environmental Awareness Award at 30th Sarajevo Film Festival 2024

We are very happy that THE SKY ABOVE ZENICA is recognised with the Environmental Awareness Award at the 30th Sarajevo Film Festival. The award is sponsored by the United Nation´s development program, and there is indeed room for development in our world. Many forgotten communities suffer under the rule of ever growing profit by large corporations. We hope that our film will shine a light on the need for balance, and inspire international institutions as well as corporations to get involved in the changing for a less polluted and more fair world. 

The jury said:

“This is the first time that Sarajevo Film Festival is presenting a Special Environmental Awareness Award which is an important step. It is a warning to polluters who put profit over the welfare of people and the planet. We see you. The film we have chosen is an inspiring call to action, showing the power of ordinary people. Many “Davids” can win against the Goliath. It is fitting, the prize is given to a local film with global importance. Seven years in the making, a story that unfolds like a thriller. This is a piece of superb filmmaking”.

The jury was: Misan Sagay (UK), Julian Ross (NE) and Dörte Schneider Garcia (DE).

Zlatko and I would like to thank our protagonists who have endured the presence of our camera for the last seven years; Thank you Samir and Igda Lemeš, Edita and Nedžad Šišić, Alma and Sakib Alić, Zlatan Alibegović, Izeta and Fadil Bajramović, Ajka and Mirsad Selimović. We are full of respect for your bravery and dignity.

To the creative team of the film; thank you George Vjestica and Dan Donovan for your beautiful and intriguing music. Jacques Pedersen for your subtle and delicate sound. To irreplaceable second unit cinematographer Emir Džanan, thank you for your wonderful images and unique human skills.

This award goes out to our producers as much as to us. To our amazing producer Lise Lense-Møller, amazing HBO-producers Hanka Kastelicová and Tereza Bóna Keilová and to our young Bosnian producer Ishak Jalimam, thank you for your resilience and wisdom.

We would like to thank The Danish Film Institute, Cecilia Lidin who supported us at the very early stage and Heidi Kim Andersen, Ministry of Culture of Canton Sarajevo and DR.

A film by Zlatko Pranjic & Nanna Frank Møller, 92 min. Produced by Lise Lense-Møller, Magic Hour Films Aps, Co-produced by Ishak Jalimam, Realstage, Hanka Kastelicová & Tereza Bóna Keilová for HBOmax.

THE SKY ABOVE ZENICA receives a Special Mention at RAFF 2024 Rab Film Festival.

The RAFF jury was: Palme d’Or awarded director Nebojša Slijepčević, acclaimed HRT foreign policy journalist Elizabeta Gojan, and Croatian award winning actor, Zlatko Burić Kićo.

Thank you RAFF 2024 - Rab Film Festival for bringing our film to your audience!