DokuFest, u saradnji sa Fondom za humanitarno pravo Kosovo, kroz projekat „Iza tišine – osnaživanje glasova za pravdu i sećanje“,…
Për qasje të plotë në Bibliotekën Digjitale ju duhet llogari aktive në DokuLab
Youth from Kosovo and Serbia join the jury at DokuFest
This year, DokuFest welcomed a group of young participants from Kosovo and Serbia through the DocYouth Alliance – Youth Connecting Through Cinema program, supported by RYCO. Their presence added a meaningful layer to the festival, reminding us of the role cinema can play in opening dialogue, building understanding, and creating shared spaces where young people can meet without pressure or expectation.
Over several days, the group took part in a curated selection of film screenings and DokuTalk sessions, engaging with stories that explored identity, displacement, memory, and the emotional weight communities carry during times of uncertainty. These films that were screened to this group of young people invited reflection, challenged assumptions, and offered perspectives that are often difficult to discuss openly.
What stood out was the way the young participants approached these themes with seriousness and empathy. They discussed the films collaboratively, bringing their own experiences into the conversation, but also listening carefully to one another. It was clear that the exchange went beyond comparing opinions, they were actively exploring how people from different backgrounds interpret the same story through different lenses.
Their final deliberation for the DocYouth Alliance Award: Youth Connecting Through Cinema captured this spirit well. The group made their decision collectively, weighing both the emotional and social impact of each film. In the end, they chose “Coexistence, My Ass!”, noting that the film’s ability to balance humor with difficult realities spoke to them in a sincere and disarming way. As one participant expressed, sometimes the truth is easier to hold when it comes with a moment of laughter.
For DokuFest, the value of this program goes beyond the award announcement: it lies in witnessing young people from Kosovo and Serbia share a cultural experience on equal ground and engaging seriously with challenging themes, asking thoughtful questions, and reflecting together on what these stories reveal about the world they are inheriting.
The experience reaffirmed something important: that meaningful cross-border cooperation does not always require big interventions. Sometimes, a group of young people, a few powerful films, and the space to speak honestly are enough to move understanding forward, step by step.
[Doc Youth Alliance project was supported by RYCO, Regional Youth Cooperation Office.]
"Educational films serve as key tools to inspire change and promote intercultural dialogue in schools. They offer a unique opportunity for students to develop critical thinking skills, increase awareness about social and cultural issues, and encourage a more open and inclusive approach to learning. Through their powerful themes and impactful narratives, these educational films are rich resources that support innovative teaching and contribute to building a more informed, conscious, and democratic society."
DokuLab
DokuFest’s educational department DokuLab manages the FilmProduction Centre for Youth and empowers teachers in use of audiovisual tools in classroom in conjunction with traditional methods for deeper understanding of complex issues and promotion of social development of youth.
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