“DUA”, directed by Blerta Basholli, has won the Grand Prix at the 19th edition of CinEast, the Central and Eastern European Film Festival in Luxembourg. The award was announced on October 24, 2026, at a ceremony at Kinepolis Kirchberg.
The international jury’s verdict
The winner was chosen by the international jury chaired by Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi. Its assessment focused on the way the film draws the viewer into the world of its young protagonist and the tension surrounding her.
CinEast ran from October 9 to 25. The Grand Prix is the international jury’s main award for a feature film.
The story of a girl on the brink of war
“DUA” is set in Pristina in the late 1990s. Its 13-year-old protagonist tries to find her place among her peers, while ethnic tensions and the approach of war weigh on the life of the community.
At the center of the story is also her friendship with Maki, a girl who pushes her toward an unexpected form of resistance. Dua is played by Pinea Matoshi; the cast also includes Yllka Gashi, Kushtrim Hoxha and Vlera Bilalli.
A co-production between Kosovo, Switzerland and France
The film runs 100 minutes and was written by Blerta Basholli and Nicole Borgeat. The production companies are Ikonë Studio, Alva Film and Kazak Productions.
Before the award in Luxembourg, the screenplay had received the SACD Award at Cannes Critics’ Week in 2026. The CinEast Grand Prix now adds to the film’s international run.
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