The documentary "Fiume o Morte!" won the first ever [1] FIPRESCI Documentary Grand Prix during a ceremony in Warsaw, Poland.
This award marks a significant shift in documentary recognition by the International Federation of Film Critics. By establishing a dedicated Grand Prix for non-fiction work, the organization creates a high-profile benchmark for excellence in a genre that often competes against narrative features for prestige.
Director Igor Bezinović received the honor during the opening night of the 23rd [3] Millennium Docs Against Gravity festival. The event took place on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The festival is recognized as the second-largest [4] documentary film festival in Europe.
To secure the win, "Fiume o Morte!" triumphed over a field of high-profile competitors. The film beat "Mr. Nobody Against Putin," which previously won an Oscar, and "The Perfect Neighbor," which earned an Oscar nomination [1].
FIPRESCI selected the film as the best documentary of 2025 [2]. The selection process by the international critics' body highlights the film's impact and technical achievement relative to its global peers.
The ceremony in Warsaw served as the launch for the festival's latest edition. The event brought together critics and filmmakers to celebrate the growth of the documentary medium on an international stage.
“"Fiume o Morte!" won the first ever FIPRESCI Documentary Grand Prix.”
The creation of the FIPRESCI Documentary Grand Prix signals an institutional effort to elevate the status of documentary filmmaking to the same level as fictional cinema. By awarding a film that beat an Oscar winner, the critics are emphasizing artistic merit and critical depth over commercial or Academy-driven prestige.
