Albert Kapović Award - Zagreb Film Festival

The Albert Kapović Award is presented to Vanja Jambrović and Tibor Keser in recognition of their exceptional production role in the realization of one of the most significant films of the year, and also as an encouragement for their continued dedication to auteur film, artistic excellence, and the development of Croatian cinema. The film Fiume o morte!, directed by Igor Bezinović, reaped great success both at festivals and with the audiences, captivating with its unexpected spectacularity, cheerful spirit, and dazzling energy of social engagement.

The Albert Kapović Award, by its very nature and name, is intended for something broader than recognition of an outstanding work, whatever it may be. The award bearing Albert’s name is intended for those who, through their work, have made a difference for the entire community, moved cinema toward something new and better, paving the way for others.

Through their work, Vanja and Tibor have shown how a project with a modest initial budget can develop into a large-format film and an unexpected cinematic event of the year. The entire large city, its citizens, and its authorities were involved in performances and the creative effort. The camaraderie and goodwill that allowed Igor’s talent to express itself freely and powerfully were achieved through the extraordinary coordination and immense work of his awarded colleagues. Along with the art of collaboration and understanding, these qualities were more valuable in the production of the film than any budget amount could express.

By connecting the film project and the community, they revealed to us that the need for creation and good film has not been extinguished and is dormant among our people, waiting to be awoken.

The producers of this film have succeeded, and we thank them sincerely for their skill and hereby award them the 2025 Albert Kapović Award.

Vanja Jambrović

Vanja Jambrović graduated in comparative literature and philosophy from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb, and in production from the Academy of Dramatic Arts. She is one of the founders of Restart. The films she produced were shortlisted for the European Film Awards three times (Fiume o morte! by Igor Bezinović, Valerija by Valerija Sára Jurinčić, and Srbenka by Nebojša Slijepčević) and won the Heart of Sarajevo for best documentary three times (Valerija, Museum of the Revolution by Srđan Keča, and Srbenka). Her latest film, Fiume o morte! (2025), won the Tiger Award and the Fipresci Prize in Rotterdam. Her projects were funded by various international institutions, including the Sundance Institute. She is employed at the Academy of Dramatic Arts and has participated in numerous international workshops as a mentor.

Tibor Keser

Tibor Keser (1981) is a film producer from Zagreb, whose portfolio includes over 50 award-winning productions, including documentary, feature, experimental, and hybrid formats. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics and the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb, where he teaches as an associate professor. He is the founder of the production company KOMPOT. He has been collaborating regularly with the Restart association for over a decade, as well as with numerous other Croatian productions. He has been selected as the Croatian representative for Producers on the Move at Cannes 2024. He is a co-founder of the DOK Hrvatska initiative, as well as a member of Kino klub Split and the Croatian Producers Association.