Little Trouble Girls wins top prize at Slovenian Film Festival

Urška Djukić's Little Trouble Girls (Kaj ti je deklica) has emerged as the winner of the 28th Festival of Slovenian Film, taking home the main Vesna prize for best feature film along with multiple awards for acting, cinematography, and technical excellence.

The intimate story, Djukić's first feature film, has captivated both audiences and critics, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

The sensual coming-of-age drama, centred on 16-year-old Lucija (played by Jara Sofija Ostan) navigating a choral retreat, earned Ostan the Vesna for best lead actress.

Supporting performances were also honoured: Mina Švajger won best supporting actress and Saša Tabaković best supporting actor.

In addition, the film received the FIPRESCI prize by the Society of Slovenian Film Publicists, whose jury praised its depiction of "individual liberation from societal pressures" through a nuanced portrayal of adolescence and identity.

The accolades come after the film had already won the FIPRESCI prize at the Berlinale and been picked as the Slovenian entry for a nomination for the best international feature film award at the Oscars.

The film has cemented Djukić's reputation as a force in Slovenian cinema, the 39-year-old having previousy picked up a series of accolades for her animated short Granny's Sexual Life.

Best director went to Petra Seliškar for her docu-feature The Mountain Won't Move (Gora se ne bo premaknila), which also received the Vesna for best editing and recognition from the Art Cinema Network of Slovenia.

Best screenplay was awarded to the creative team behind the animated film Stories from the Magic Garden (Zgodbe iz čarobnega vrta). The film also won the award for best animated film.

Best lead actor was awarded to Icelandic star Olafur Darri Olafsson for his role in Hidden People (Skriti ljudje) by Miha Hočevar.

Fantasy, the feature debut by the director Kukla, the artistic name of Katarina Rešek, received a Vesna for special achievements, along with awards for best original music, best production design, best costume design, and best makeup.

The awards were conferred at the close of the Slovenian Film Festival on 26 October.