Zigguart FilmFest 2026 Winners
Zigguart FilmFest 2026 proudly announces the official winners of its second edition — celebrating extraordinary independent films, bold artistic visions, and powerful stories from around the world.
Held online from 20–31 October 2026 on Zigguart TV, this year’s festival presented 23 films from 21 countries, bringing together diverse cinematic voices and connecting audiences across cultures, borders, and perspectives.
From compelling narratives and thought-provoking documentaries to experimental cinema and imaginative animation, the 2026 winners represent the creativity, passion, and originality that define independent filmmaking. Each award recognizes not only artistic excellence but also the unique vision and storytelling choices that made these films stand out.
Through these awards, Zigguart FilmFest continues its mission to discover emerging talent, support independent filmmakers, and celebrate cinema as a universal language of emotion, imagination, and human connection.
BEST FEATURE FILM
Two Cecilias
A Film by Kico Santos
Producer 157 Elefante Movies
& Prompt Filmes
Jury Statement
Two Cecilias stands out for its engaging storytelling, strong performances, and impressive production quality. Blending drama, comedy, and mystery, the film creates a compelling cinematic experience while exploring important themes of community, identity, and the consequences of urban transformation.
Director Kico Santos skillfully balances social commentary with suspense, supported by a talented cast, thoughtful cinematography, and an effective musical score. The film’s ability to combine entertainment with meaningful human stories makes it a distinctive and memorable work of contemporary independent cinema.
For its artistic quality, compelling narrative, and accomplished direction, Two Cecilias receives the Best Feature Film Award at Zigguart FilmFest 2026.
BEST SHORT FILM
Manna
A Film by Francisco Rojas
Producer
Robelitza Pérez
Jury Statement:
Manna stands out for its powerful storytelling, striking cinematography, and authentic performances. Set against the beautiful yet challenging landscape of the Dominican Republic’s Caribbean coast, the film explores the tension between personal dreams, difficult choices, and the realities of survival.
Director Francisco Rojas brings a sensitive and thoughtful approach to the story, capturing the emotional struggles of a man caught between his desire for a better future and the moral consequences of his actions. Through carefully composed images, natural performances, and a compelling dramatic atmosphere, the film transforms a deeply local story into a universal reflection on ambition, uncertainty, and human vulnerability.
For its strong visual identity, accomplished production, meaningful subject matter, and emotionally engaging narrative, Manna receives the Best Short Film Award at Zigguart FilmFest 2026.
BEST ANIMATION
In Half
A Film by Jorge Morais
Jury Statement:
In Half stands out for its imaginative storytelling, remarkable animation techniques, and distinctive visual identity. Through a beautifully crafted fantasy world, the film explores deeply human themes of fear, memory, vulnerability, and self-discovery, transforming complex emotions into a captivating cinematic journey.
Director Jorge Morais demonstrates exceptional creativity and technical dedication, combining sophisticated 3D animation with the tactile textures and atmospheric lighting inspired by stop-motion filmmaking. The carefully designed characters, expressive movements, and richly detailed environments give the story a unique artistic personality, allowing emotions to unfold beyond words.
For its technical excellence, original visual language, imaginative world-building, and thoughtful exploration of the human experience, In Half receives the Best Animation Award at Zigguart FilmFest 2026.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
e A R T h w o r k s
A Film by Martin Cooper
Jury Statement:
e A R T h w o r k s stands out for its remarkable artistic vision, captivating imagery, and thoughtful exploration of the relationship between art and the natural world. Through the creative perspectives of three contemporary artists from different continents, the documentary transforms the essential elements of Light, Land, and Water into a visually rich and meaningful cinematic experience.
Director Martin Cooper brings a refined documentary approach to the subject, combining impressive cinematography, strong technical craftsmanship, and a sensitive appreciation of artistic expression. The film creates a fascinating dialogue between nature, culture, and creativity, inviting audiences to reflect on the beauty and fragility of our planet through the eyes of artists.
For its outstanding visual quality, distinctive artistic perspective, accomplished filmmaking, and compelling exploration of contemporary art, e A R T h w o r k s receives the Best Documentary Award at Zigguart FilmFest 2026.
BEST ACTRESS
Andrea Demetriades for Opa-Pappou
A Film by Katharina Keil
Producer Katharina Keil and Janine Kaiser
Jury Statement:
Andrea Demetriades delivers a sensitive and emotionally compelling performance as Elena in Opa-Pappou, bringing authenticity, warmth, and depth to a story about family, grief, and the bonds that connect generations.
Through subtle expressions and a natural screen presence, she captures the emotional complexity of a character navigating love, loss, and cultural identity. Her performance contributes to the film’s delicate balance between sorrow and tenderness, allowing its deeply personal themes to resonate with audiences.
For her convincing portrayal, emotional sensitivity, and ability to communicate complex feelings with sincerity and restraint, Andrea Demetriades receives the Best Actress Award at Zigguart FilmFest 2026.
BEST ACTOR
Gerardo Mercedes for Manna
A Film by Francisco Rojas
Producer
Robelitza Pérez
Jury Statement:
Gerardo Mercedes delivers a compelling and authentic performance in Manna, bringing emotional depth and remarkable naturalism to a story about survival, moral conflict, and the search for a better future.
Through subtle expressions, convincing gestures, and a powerful screen presence, he portrays a man caught between the harsh realities of his environment and his desire for change. His performance captures the character’s inner struggles, doubts, and vulnerability, allowing audiences to connect with the human emotions beneath the film’s dramatic tension.
For his outstanding character portrayal, emotional authenticity, and ability to communicate complex feelings with subtlety and restraint, Gerardo Mercedes receives the Best Actor Award at Zigguart FilmFest 2026.
BEST SOUNDTRACK
Edge
A Film by Abel Moreno Pradas
Composers
Sasha Agranov, Pablo Wayne, Nihan Devecioglu
EDGE stands out for its evocative and atmospheric soundtrack, which plays an essential role in shaping the film’s emotional and artistic identity. In a story where dialogue is absent, music becomes a powerful form of expression, giving voice to the characters’ inner struggles and the invisible barriers that separate them.
The original compositions by Sasha Agranov, Pablo Wayne, and Nihan Devecioglu create a compelling connection between sound, movement, and visual storytelling. The music enhances the film’s experimental nature, building tension, deepening its emotional impact, and transforming silence into a meaningful cinematic experience.
For its expressive musical composition, atmospheric depth, and remarkable integration of sound with movement and imagery, EDGE receives the Best Soundtrack Award at Zigguart FilmFest 2026, recognizing the creative contributions of Sasha Agranov, Pablo Wayne, and Nihan Devecioglu.
HONORABLE MENTION
My Ride Over a Tesla
A Film by Huw Wahl
My Ride Over a Tesla stands out for its originality, unconventional storytelling, and fascinating combination of art, activism, and personal history. Through the extraordinary actions of a 98-year-old World War II veteran, the documentary transforms a provocative public event into a thought-provoking exploration of creativity, political expression, and the power of individual voices.
Director Huw Wahl brings a distinctive and personal perspective to the story, moving beyond the spectacle of a tank crushing a Tesla to reveal the human experience and artistic expression behind the event. The film’s unusual subject, engaging documentary approach, and connection between performance and visual art make it a memorable example of independent filmmaking.
For its originality, compelling subject matter, creative documentary approach, and ability to inspire reflection and conversation, My Ride Over a Tesla receives an Honorable Mention at Zigguart FilmFest 2026.