Immortal Flowers, the debut documentary about Ukraine’s underground rave culture, won a major award at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival’s industry awards on Wednesday night.
The film, a U.S.-Ukrainian co-production, won the 2|35 Post-Production Company Award for Best Document in Progress and Post-Production Services.
Directed by Brian Rogvinski, the film combines elements of fiction and documentary to tell the story of a group of young men who follow the excitement of underground dance parties in Ukraine amid strict curfews, air raids, and the fear of being drafted into the Russian military to protect the country.
Romanian producer Ada Solomon said on behalf of the jury, which included sales agent and festival programmer Anja Gelscu and film critic Ahmed Shawky, that the trio was “captivated” by the plot alone.
“What happens when the world’s greatest party is held in a country ravaged by years of devastating war?” the jury’s statement read. “By giving us rare access to vibrant young people, full of energy and doubt, who don’t know if tomorrow will exist, the filmmakers reveal how fearlessly living in the moment is our first line of defense.”
Immortal Flowers was produced by Harrison Jaffee and Anna Konik of Catharsis Pictures and Tommaso Rositani of FFB Pictures in collaboration with Eugene Rachkovsky of the Ukrainian collective Tabor Productions. Rogvinski’s previous directorial effort, the short film Catharsis starring Blondie lead vocalist Debbie Harry, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The grand prize at the Thessaloniki Pitching Forum went to Romanian film director Ana Vigidea’s “Nava Mama”. The film, about a teenage boy’s exploration of resilience, identity and belonging, won a €10,000 ($11,500) prize from the International Emerging Film Talent Fund (IEFTF).
Speaking on behalf of the jury, which included Swedish producer Malin Huber and Eric Motiel, head of DocsBarcelona Pro, IDFA Bertha Fund Executive Director Selin Murat said the winning projects “touched us deeply.”
A jury statement said: “Navigating with intimacy and sensitivity the inner and outer worlds of incredible young people, the director of this feature film debut shows resilience, sensitivity and creativity as he constantly adapts to the constraints of life.” “Together, the filmmakers and protagonists create a magical space for true collaboration and youthful exploration.”
Nava Mama was produced by Ana Vigidea, Ana Gheorghe and Cosmin Nicoara for Romania’s Remora Films in collaboration with Louis Beaudemont of France’s Les Steps Productions.
Representing the host nation, Wednesday night’s other big winner was “Unwanted Past,” from Studio Bauhaus director Thanasis Vasiliu and producer Konstantinos Vasilaros, which interrogates a painful chapter in 20th century Greek history through the lens of one family. The film won the Onassis Film Award, a cash prize of 5,000 euros ($5,800), and the ERT – Thessaloniki Pitching Forum Award.
The ceremony ended on a bittersweet note with the news that Angeliki Vergou, head of Agora, who has been running the industry sector of Thessaloniki Festival since 2022, will be stepping down. However, she will remain on Agora’s board in the role of advisor, international partnerships and development.
Elise Jarradeau, the festival’s general director, praised Vergou’s “excellent job” in leading the industry event.
“Her vision and energy, her expertise and interpersonal skills, her heart, her intuition and her leadership have enabled our two Agoras to become a benchmark in the audiovisual sector in Europe,” said Jarradeau. “Fortunately, she will remain part of our team to continue this work and work with us to make European and regional films and documentaries even more powerful and meaningful.”
At the end of the ceremony, the Agora team presented an thrilled Vergow with a golden badge of recognition.
“This is the best team I’ve ever worked with. I’m very proud to be a part of it, but I’m not going to continue because I’m going to cry,” Vergow said. “But I’m going to stay with you anyway. You’re sticking with me anyway.”
Here is the complete list of Thessaloniki Documentary Festival’s Agora Prize winners:
Onassis Film Award: “The Unwanted Past” Thanassis Vasiliu
Thessaloniki Pitching Forum Award
IEFTF Best Documentary in Development: “Nava Mamă”, Ana Vijdea
ERT – Thessaloniki Pitching Forum Award: “Unwanted Past”, Thanasis Vasiliu
Eurodoc Award: “Voices”, Persephoni Miliu (Special Award: “The Last Class”, Michele Fornasello)
Eilon Productions Digital Services Award: “Who We Are” Sophie Ataya
Beldocs XR Academy Awards: “Nothing is Really Lost” Anna Schirard
Mediterranean Film Institute George Kalogeropoulos Award: “The Last Lesson” Michele Fornasello
Paradiddle Pictures Guidance Award: “Makasi”, Danae Maria Samara
Crew United Award: “Moving Still” Ioanna Tsokara
DOK Leipzig Accelerator Award: “Who are we” Sophie Ataya
DAE Consultant Award: “Of the Trees Unmoved”, Nino Benashvili
ongoing document award
2|35 Post-Production Main Award: “Immortal Flowers”, Brian Rogvinski
Neaniko Plano Subtitle Award: Rama Ayasullah “Landwords”
Impronta Films Guide Award: “Mati 2307” Marianna Kakaounaki
